In the spirit of being good stewards of people and earth, it is V-tech’s desire to protect and enhance the environment through our service, specialized knowledge, stewardship and community involvement. Our community’s vibrancy is directly related not only to our ability to safeguard our environment, but also to our willingness as a corporate community to recognize opportunities in our midst to band together and take corrective action. In doing so we recognize the value we hold as individuals and the strength we possess as a society.
In 2002, former mayor Marc McDougal recognized that while continued growth in the southwest portion of town was beneficial, significant resources and community development had been lacking in the northern and eastern portions of Lubbock for many years. He pledged to be dynamic in his approach to the problem if he won his mayoral bid. Now we are beginning to see the fruit of his labor after his victory. Due to his vision and willingness to seize an opportunity for growth, northern and eastern portions of Lubbock are beginning to see more economic activity than in the past 30 years. And V-tech is proud to be part of this progress. (Read more about the history and development of the North and East Lubbock Community Development Corporation and details about their services and projects.)
Due to the leadership, services and monetary support provided by the newly created North and East Lubbock Community Development Corporation (NELCDC) as well as the recruitment efforts put forth by Lubbock Economic Development Alliance (LEDA), our skyline continues to encompass more companies who see Lubbock as a fertile environment for growth and expansion. And V-tech has been there along the way, assuring that the environment we appreciate in Lubbock is protected during the process of economic development. The following are customers in north and east Lubbock who have entrusted V-tech Environmental Services to be a part of their future:
- Lubbock Economic Development Alliance:
- Lubbock Business Park and Rail Ports: This special property, with sections located both north and south of the Preston Smith International Airport, is set aside for development of business and industry and offers convenient access to a national rail system and close proximity to Foreign Trade Zone 260. The park currently hosts O’Reilly Auto Parts Distribution Center and WesTx Packaging Company’s (Standard Bag) industrial bag manufacturing operations. And future construction includes the Texas Department of Public Safety’s new and expanded multi-million dollar crime lab serving the Lubbock region. MACSA’s corn flour mill is also the first tenant currently located on the rail port. V-tech conducted the original Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) (visual assessment) for the establishment of the business park and rail ports, wrote the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan, and performed 14-day storm water inspections as required by the TCEQ Construction General Permit. Sediment and erosion controls were monitored for effectiveness, and the SWPPP was modified as necessary during the construction phase of the project.
- Mainline Rock and Ballast: V-tech assisted Mainline Rock and Ballast with air emissions and permitting at its first Texas facility, and filed a Rock Crushing and Screening Permit required by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
- Lubbock County Jail: The new state-of-the-art Lubbock County Jail at 3600 E. Kent will house 1,500 inmates. V-tech staff installed sediment and erosion controls at the construction site to help the contractor comply with the TCEQ Construction General Permit.
- Preston Smith International Airport: The Preston Smith International Airport is home to three major airlines, giving regional patrons access to both foreign and domestic travel destinations. V-tech installed storm water controls for airport upgrades and the taxiway expansion. Staff assisted the contractor with TCEQ Construction General Permit compliance. A Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan was developed, and sediment and erosion controls were installed including silt fence, sediment logs, hay bales, sandbags, rock filter dams, and gabion mattresses. V-tech performed storm water inspections as required by the General Permit.
- Lubbock Regional MHMR: The vision of MHMR is to provide a safe, accessible and supportive community for people faced with the challenges of aging, mental illness, mental retardation and chemical dependency. V-tech participated in the planning of MHMR’s Sunrise Canyon facility expansion. The east Lubbock building site faced unique environmental issues including a nitrate plume, a large protected burrowing owl colony, and flood zone proximity. V-tech was able to assess the building site and provide solutions that benefited MHMR improvements while fostering environmental and wildlife stewardship.
- Parkway Place Shopping Center: Parkway Place is a new $2M, 20,000 sq. ft. shopping center being erected under the guidance of the North and East Lubbock Community Development Corporation and Gill Holdings. V-tech assisted the NELCDC in environmentally responsible redevelopment by bringing the property into compliance with state environmental regulations. A Phase I ESA found five (5) underground storage tanks (USTs) located on the property. V-tech partnered with a local contractor to permanently remove the USTs from the ground. V-tech collected soil samples and documented tank pull activities as required by TCEQ guidelines. V-tech then prepared a Release Determination Report (RDR) that was filed with the TCEQ.
- Shearer Foods Lubbock: Shearer’s Foods purchased the former Frito-Lay plant and invested in a $35M expansion. Shearer’s Foods expects to employ 269 people in its snack food operation, and have an economic impact of $123,745,716 per year. Effluent samples are collected by V-tech staff on a consistent basis in order for Shearer’s to remain in compliance with the City of Lubbock’s wastewater ordinances. Environmental consulting services are also offered as needed.
- Hurley Packaging of Texas, Inc.: Hurley Packaging produces boxes and other specialty packaging. Their latest expansion includes a new machine that uses recycled paper to produce egg crate packaging. A waste profile was conducted on the grit trap sediment to properly classify the sediment and wastewater contained in the on-site grit trap. This is a routine service provided by V-tech Environmental Services for a variety of entities throughout the South Plains.
- Tyco Fire Products: Tyco Fire Products built a new $28-million, 250,000 sq. ft. manufacturing plant in the Lubbock Business Park, and employs approximately 500 people. Tyco makes fire protection systems for commercial buildings. V-tech performs routine indoor air quality monitoring for metals and dust particulates through personal and area monitoring. A final closeout of Grinnell’s (division of Tyco) original building was also conducted before moving into the new plant. Soil samples from hazardous waste staging areas and wastewater treatment plant were taken with no findings of an impact.
- Teinert Metals: Sediment and erosion controls were installed and monitored by V-tech staff during the construction phase of the steel warehouse located in east Lubbock. The site was inspected throughout the construction phase, and staff developed a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan for the facility.
Our commitment to Lubbock is strong and deep, and we look forward to being a part of its success in the years to come. If we can serve you or one of your partners, please give us a call.