A Karnes County business mind has an idea that looks to clean up an old building in Karnes City and bring a viable business to the area that offers high rates of pay to unskilled workers.

County resident Jim Harrell has been in the mental health and retardation business for 17 years and wants to turn the old hospital building into a place that cares for kids with mental disabilities.

The place needs a lot of work, but if Harrell is able to negotiate a good price on the structure, he plans to clean it up from top to bottom and make it fit for Karnes City.

"Remarkably, the building on the inside is in fair condition," Harrell said. "Someone had gone in years back and painted some of the rooms. Don’t misunderstand, there’s a lot of work to be done. It looks like some people have been going in there after hours — there’s some graffiti on the walls and broken glass. It would take some work and a fair amount of money to get it into condition."

Harrell will state his willingness to do the work during Karnes City’s regular council meeting January 23.

His plans involve the use of the whole building to run the residential care facility and his aim is to staff it with around 25 to 30 direct care workers. Each worker will require a high school diploma or GED and will need to take in-house training before they can begin their jobs.

Harrell said he plans to start the workers at $8 an hour.

"The children need stability," he said. "Without stability, we won’t achieve the type of personal growth potential that we desire with the children."

Harrell’s aim is to reach children with mental disabilities while they’re young and offer them valuable training and growth that will help them to live more comfortable, rewarding lives as adults.

"There’s so much training and education that can be provided early on that can benefit these individuals and shape their futures in a more positive manner," Harrell explained. "They can be productive. Many people with developmental disabilities can work in the community (and) can live semi-independently. Through this process we hope that we can shape these individuals and assist them in living a more normal life than if they weren’t in our care."

In addition to making the building suitable for business, Harrell also voiced plans to clean and beautify the building and grounds.

Whether or not the project goes through will be based on the kind of price Harrell can negotiate with the current property owner, a private individual here in the county.