COSA-DC and Howard College to Spearhead Degree Program for Nurses

The City of San Angelo Development Corporation (COSA-DC) met Wednesday morning at the McNease Convention Center, where COSA-DC discussed the 2015-2016 budget, a new Registered Nurse program funded by the Texas Workforce Commission and unanimously appointed a new president to the board.

The $9,095,966 budget proposed and presented by Roland Pena, City of San Angelo Economic and Development Director, had board members asking questions and requesting more information on how some of the funds will be spent. “I believe we need an actual break down of costs per hour when it comes to paying an attorney or any outside source that we may need to utilize,” said newly appointed second vice president Tommy Heibert. The budget was tabled until more information is available later on next month.

COSA-DC will apply for a $75,000 grant in May from the Texas Workforce Commission to help Howard College establish a registered nursing degree program at its campus in San Angelo. The Concho Valley Workforce Commission will provide another $75,000 to match it. Increasing the number of health care professionals in our area without those individuals having to drive to Big Spring for classes is the main purpose for the funding. “At our local hospitals, each hospital is understaffed by about 30 RNs, so it really has become a growing need in our community,” said Roland Pena. COSA-DC members were in full support of the program, citing it a necessity to the city.

John E. Bariou, Jr. was unanimously appointed as President to the board, replacing Scott Tankersley.  Even though Tony Villareal was not in attendance, he was appointed first vice president, and Tommy Hiebert was appointed to second vice president.

“As far as accomplishments in the future, we still look forward to encourage infrastructure improvements, bringing in new businesses, especially the creation of long standing careers here in San Angelo, not just jobs, but careers,” said Bariou when asked what he hopes to uphold as COSA-DC president. “We want to bring in the careers that will bring stable earning and income, creating a tax base which in turn creates a self-perpetuating machine that there will be more tax money coming in that we can do more, and it continues to roll over in our community.”