Corrections Corporation of America announced Tuesday it has received the go-ahead from the Office of the Federal Detention Trustee to build its federal detention center at 2250 E. Mesquite Ave.

CCA Vice President of Marketing and Communications Louise Grant said the company expects to have an official groundbreaking sometime in June.

CCA anticipates being able to start receiving detainees in the fourth quarter of 2010.

"They just don't call it construction. They call it 'giving us approval for activation,'" Grant said.

Asked why there isn't a groundbreaking right away, Grant said, "We have to implement the biological opinion and make sure that all of the subcontractors are ready. While some initial work will begin soon, it may be the end of the month or the first of May on the biological opinion."

She confirmed the biological opinion requires CCA to fence in the property and have a biologist do a survey for any desert tortoises before construction begins.

"We're looking at the end of May or some time in early June for the official groundbreaking and I would say full construction will begin sometime in June," she said.

CCA was awarded the contract by the Office of the Federal Detention Trustee in May 2008 to design, build and operate the facility in Pahrump. It will house 1,072 beds for federal inmates and detainees for the U.S. Marshal's Service.

"During this challenging economic time we are gratified to bring positive news to Nevada residents regarding the creation of immediate construction jobs and upcoming full-time professional correctional careers," said CCA President Damon Hininger in a prepared statement. "Even during these uncertain times CCA continues providing a needed public service with pride."

Tony Grande, CCA chief development officer, said, "we are very grateful for the strong show of support these past months from elected officials, local business and community leaders and Pahrump residents."

Grande said once the facility opens CCA will be one of the largest employers in Nye County with 230 employees.

Grande added, "These jobs will offer a very attractive federal wage determination salary and benefits. In addition to the career opportunities CCA will bring, the company will stimulate the local economy by paying more than $800,000 annually in property taxes, more than $900,000 annually in utilities and will be supporting the community with college scholarships and donations to specific, nonprofit organizations."

General Contractor DCK Worldwide expects to spend about $7 million with Pahrump subcontractors and in material purchases such as concrete, aggregate and asphalt.

The company doesn't anticipate hiring employees until mid 2010, CCA states in its press release.

Legal challenges were filed after Nye County Commissioners signed a 20-year development agreement with CCA Dec. 16. Federal District Judge Kent Dawson dismissed a request for a temporary restraining order and later for an injunction to stop the project. Nye County filed a motion for a summary judgment to close the case, the Concerned Citizens for a Safe Community filed a motion in opposition to that request that is still pending in federal court.

CCA is the nation's largest owner and operator of private correctional facilities and the fourth largest prison operator in the U.S. It operates 64 facilities including 44 company-owned facilitiles, with a total design capacity of 85,000 beds in 19 states and the District of Columbia.