OSS Fab Shop to Locate in New Building/Lone Star School Bus System to Locate in Existing Building

ROCKDALE, Texas – Milam County, the City of Rockdale, and the Rockdale Municipal Development District (RMDD) recently awarded an incentive package to OSS Fab Shop and Lone Star School Bus Systems. This has been referred to as Project Bluebird in public meetings. The package included property tax abatement agreements and a permit reimbursement agreement.

Lone Star School Bus System is a new business in Rockdale, created by owner Lin Perry. “We wanted to offer a service to area school districts – a central facility for minor school bus maintenance and repairs,” Perry described. “This is a way to achieve some economies of scale while reducing overhead for smaller districts.”

Lone Star School Bus Systems will be moving into the current OSS Fabrication Shop off Main Street in Rockdale. “We have already started the process of improving the building,” Perry reported. Perry will construct a new 20,000 square foot building next door for the fabrication shop. “By building new next door, we’re able to get the right-sized facility for the fab shop.” Lone Star School Bus intends to create 20 new jobs over the next 3 years while the new building will approach a $5 million investment.

The City of Rockdale approved a five-year tax abatement agreement on the new building with a declining schedule. Milam County approved a four-year abatement agreement. The RMDD agreed to rebate any City building permit, inspection, or utility account fees up to $10,000. “Initially, Lone Star School Bus said they were considering other communities near Rockdale for their business,” explained Nathan Bland, RMDD Board President. “This was a project we did not want to lose and we were able to structure a package where they chose Rockdale.”

“We are happy to help a local entrepreneur who is creating jobs and adding to the tax base” commented Milam County Judge, Bill Whitmire. “This type of facility also helps the taxpayers by reducing overhead for other taxing entities.”