Report to Blinn board: Recent bond sale secured more than $12 million in savings

Recent bond sale will fund construction of the first building at the Blinn College-Waller Campus

February 24, 2026

The Blinn College District Board of Trustees received an update at its February meeting on the successful completion of the College District’s Series 2026 revenue bond sale, which will save Blinn more than $12 million over the life of the bonds while supporting construction of the new Waller Campus academic building.

In December, the Board authorized the issuance and sale of $55.5 million in Series 2026 revenue bonds. Proceeds from the bonds will support the development of Blinn’s first academic building on its Waller Campus, with the College District funding remaining project costs from its cash reserves.

The bond sale was completed earlier this month at an interest rate of 4.31%, nearly one percentage point below the projected 5.25%. As a result, the College District will save $12,313,557 in bond payments over the 30-year term of the bonds, or approximately $400,000 annually.

The Board received the bond sale report from Steven Adams, Managing Director at Specialized Public Finance, Inc., the College District’s financial advisor.

“These savings reflect Blinn’s strong financial position and our commitment to being responsible stewards of public resources,” said Dr. Mary Hensley, Chancellor of the Blinn College District. “By securing a significantly lower interest rate, we are maximizing College funds while continuing to invest in facilities that expand access to higher education and workforce training for a rapidly growing region.”

In December, the Board also approved a guaranteed maximum price of $68 million for the Waller Campus academic building. Planned as an approximately 82,000-square-foot, three-story facility, the academic building will include classrooms, laboratories, student support areas, and administrative spaces that will serve as the foundation for future campus development.

The new facility is designed to meet growing regional demand for higher education and workforce training. The population within a 20-mile radius of the campus is projected to increase from 851,109 residents in 2024 to 1,024,349 by 2034, positioning Blinn to serve an expanding student population and support local workforce needs.

The academic building represents a major component of Blinn’s broader investment in Waller and northwest Houston. In addition to courses currently offered at Waller ISD facilities, construction is underway on a 17,000-square-foot Blinn College-Waller Workforce and Technical Education Complex that will begin offering classes this summer. The complex is located approximately one block away from the site of the Waller Campus.

Blinn plans to offer a wide array of programs at the Waller Workforce and Technical Education Complex, including expanded mechatronics and advanced manufacturing courses, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)-Basic certification, phlebotomy, certified clinical medical assistant, HVAC, carpentry, and construction management. The health sciences lab will include low-fidelity simulation bays for students pursuing EMS, phlebotomy, and certified nurse aid training.

Blinn already offers HVAC courses in partnership with Waller ISD, and with the new workforce facility, high school graduates will be able to seamlessly transition into Blinn’s Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in HVAC program. In addition, the new location will enable Blinn to expand beyond its current evening offerings at Waller ISD facilities to offer daytime classes, providing greater access and flexibility for students.

To further support students, Blinn recently opened a new administration office at 31406 FM 2920, Suite B203, in Waller. Open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, the office aids with applications, payments, academic advising, and financial aid.

For more information about Blinn’s programs in Waller, please visit www.blinn.edu/waller.

In other action on Tuesday, the Blinn board approved new Associate of Applied Science degrees in Artificial Intelligence and Artificial Intelligence in Business and authorized the College to negotiate and execute contracts for:

• flooring replacement at Wheeler Hall on the Brenham Campus,
• mechanical controls contractor services related to building automation system upgrades at the Academic Building on the Brenham Campus,
• mechanical contractor services related to air handler unit replacement at Building D on the Bryan Campus,
• and audio-visual equipment for the Waller Workforce and Technical Education Complex.