RAYMONDVILLE — For more than three years, this rural community has been awaiting the return of one of its biggest revenue streams.
Today, Management and Training Corp. announced it is closer to finalizing a contract to hold inmates at the site of the former Willacy County Correctional Center, whose closure following a riot in 2015 slashed one-third of the county’s $8.1 million general fund budget while leading to 400 employee layoffs.
“We do not have a finalized contract,” company spokesman Issa Arnita stated today. “We are hopeful and getting closer but nothing is signed yet.”
Raymondville Mayor Gilbert Gonzales said MTC is planning to open a detention center expected to create 50 to 75 jobs.
“I’m excited,” Gonzales said. “It’s good for the whole community. There’s going to be more jobs available for citizens, (employees) will eat at our restaurants, sales tax and property tax will go up.”
However, Arnita said he could not disclose the number of jobs that could be created.
“The number of staff depends on the final contract, which is not yet finalized,” Arnita stated.
“Salary will be competitive with similar jobs in the area,” Arnita stated.
Meanwhile, Gonzales said a job fair will be held Tuesday at the city’s L.E. Franks Tourist Center at 501 S. Seventh St. in Raymondville.
MTC is apparently closer to entering into a contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to hold about 900 inmates in a 1,000-bed concrete housing unit at the 53-acre site of the old tent-city prison, Gonzales said.
“It’s a nice contract,” he said.
However, Arnita stated he could not disclose information about “the potential customer.”
“A contract is not yet finalized so we are unable to talk about the potential customer and their needs for this facility,” Arnita stated.
For Willacy County, the proposed detention center would pump new revenue into its coffers.
Last year, the county sold the former 3,000-bed prison property to MTC after bond holders demanded payment of a $68 million debt.
As part of the sale, an agreement will pay the county $3 a day for every inmate held in the facility.
With a daily head-count of 900 inmates, the county would receive about $985,000 a year, calculations show.
“It’s a start to get it going,” Sheriff Larry Spence said. “Maybe they can add on to it. It’s a good thing for the community. It’s jobs with money coming in and circulating around.”
In Willacy County, the closure of the old 3,000-bed tent-city prison plunged the county into financial crisis in 2015.
Ever since, officials have worked with MTC to land a contract to help fill the old prison site and create jobs in this farming area struggling with high unemployment.
To apply for a job, go to www.mtcjobs.com.
