NEWS RELEASE - July 11, 2006

S.E.E.D. WORKING ON New Job Opportunities to Sweetwater

Sweetwater, Texas (July 11, 2006) – The Sweetwater Enterprise for Economic Development Corporation (SEED) is finalizing a recommendation to present to the city council for an incentive package for Emerald Companies. Emerald plans to expand and improve Temple Dickson Facility, the former juvenile correctional facility, located at 2101 West Alabama Avenue.

Emerald Companies operates state and federal prison facilities. They currently manage five facilities—three in Texas (Laredo, Haskell, Beirra Blanca) and the remaining two in Louisiana. They also have the first private prison in Israel presently under construction.

After a thorough evaluation, Emerald Companies has concluded that Temple Dickson Facility “needs hardening.” This initial upgrade would include double fencing and the inclusion of sensors in security and will cost $1.5 million to implement.

Inmates at the enhanced facility will likely come from another state, such as Colorado, Wyoming or Idaho. There is a possibility of Federal inmates occupying the prison, which would in turn increase the wages for employees of the facility.

The preliminary goal is to accommodate a staff of 40 employees. Twenty-five of these jobs will be security with the remaining spread across administration, social workers, support, education, nursing and recreation.

Emerald Companies plans to increase the amount of inmates to 500 after the construction of new buildings and implementation of state-of-the art security systems. After the planned expansion of the Temple Dickson Facility, there will be an additional 120-150 jobs available making a grand total of approximately 200 jobs.

The facility must be open for business within 180 days of the closing date on which Temple Dickson Facility is purchased. The possible expansion could take place 24-36 months later, with a cost-estimation of $10 million. It will be a taxable facility and they will buy locally.

The Sweetwater Enterprise for Economic Development Incorporated (S.E.E.D.) mission is to facilitate a transitional move to this forward-thinking area. S.E.E.D. is prepared for the challenge of maintaining consistent economic growth, including the creation and retention of jobs in Sweetwater. As a 4A organization, S.E.E.D. is focused on providing businesses the best opportunity for growth, thereby ensuring consistent economic growth for this area.

For more information on this and many other projects, please contact Mike Hatley at (325) 235-0555 or via email at mike@sweetwatertexas.net.