The city of Port Arthur and Lamar State College Port Arthur officials will press forward to apply for federal funds in an effort to create a hands-on, craft training program downtown.

The Port Arthur Economic Development Corp. and Dr. Ben Stafford, dean of workforce at LSCPA, told City Council members in a special meeting this week that if plans pan out, they will create a training facility at the nearly century-old armory building located adjacent to the campus’ softball field along the downtown seawall. Those plans might necessitate moving the Port of Port Arthur’s memorial to seafarers, which is located at the sundial on the grounds.

Councilmembers approved the city’s participation in the application process, but said the city’s participation in a financial match — it might cost the city up to $1 million for $4 million in federal funds — would be contingent upon the program training Port Arthur students, who in turn would bear some obligations to remain city residents for up to five years.

“What are you going to give us for our $1 million in reference to Port Arthur?” District 4 Councilman Harold Doucet asked. He said that too often, local employees who received job training in Port Arthur left the city and moved elsewhere. Before the city invests in the program, Doucet said, it must be assured some return on its investment.

Floyd Bastiste, CEO of the Port Arthur EDC, said he shares the same concern.

“Port Arthur people, once they start making some money, they move out,” he said.

Batiste said the EDC would favor craft-training programs at the proposed site accepting 10 Port Arthur students per year for 10 years, students who, after completing the program, would agree to remain Port Arthur residents for up to five years. The suggestion was offered that Port Arthur Independent School District students might graduate workforce training offered by the school system and enter the LSC program.

Stafford said the facility, three stories high with 23,000 square feet, could serve for training for scaffolding and workplace safety. He said the facility could be used in training programs that prepare welders to work at elevated levels or in tight quarters, such as on ships.

Right now, the building is used for welder training and has space allocated for the women’s softball team locker room.

Stafford told District 3 Councilman Thomas Kinlaw that craft training differed from degree programs because they were of shorter duration and didn’t involve academic credits. While welders earn some $60,000 or $70,000 to start, he said, craft training helped students start out with lower, but still good wages.

For example, he said, some craft training completers might start work near journeyman’s pay after an “intense but short period of training.”