2434 ea magazine 3rdqtr 1116 ls web

THIRD QUARTER

2016

In This Issue: Oil & Gas Payroll Cuts Impacting Future Industry Growth..................... 06 Business Retention & Expansion Program.......................... 08 Professional Economic Development Services...................... 10

President’s Letter • Members in Motion • Task Force Updates

www.allianceportregion.com

Lee College Fuels the Workforce Pipeline for Regional Industry. – One of Only 8 Fieldbus Training Facilities Worldwide. – Industry Recognized Certifications such as NCCER.

Lee College offers more than 130 degrees and certificates and is sixth in the nation for degrees awarded in science and technologies. Students can graduate with degrees and certificates from programs such as process technology, instrumentation, electrical, welding, pipefitting, machining, millwright and more. And with the recent expansion of our state of the art McNair Center, Lee College continues to demonstrate its commitment to our students success and fuel our regional economy.

www.lee.edu

THIRD QUARTER | 2016 Economic Development Edition

contents

ECONOMIC ALLIANCE

Special Features

06

In This Issue

How Oil and Gas Payroll Cuts and Demographics Impact Future Industry Growth

PRESIDENT’S LETTER ...................... 05 TASK FORCE UPDATES..................... 16 ECONOMIC ALLIANCE IN MOTION ......................................... 18 MEMBERS IN MOTION ...................... 22 CALENDAR OF EVENTS .................... 28 MEMBER LISTING ............................. 30

08 Business Retention & Expansion Program

10 Professional Economic Development Services State and Local Incentive Workforce Programs

About the Economic Alliance The Economic Alliance Houston Port Region, a non-profit organization created in 1985, provides professional economic development services on behalf of 16 communities surrounding the 25-mile Houston Ship Channel - home to one of the world’s most influential energy corridor and trade ports. Since 2008, the Economic Alliance has supported over 40 successful projects that has facilitated business activities creating over 4,400 new jobs and over $5.5 billion of capital investment to the Houston Port Region.

We are proud to count among our members the following Cities, Communities, Chambers of Commerce, and other government entities: Harris County Port of Houston Authority City of Baytown City of Deer Park City of Galena Park City of Houston City of Jacinto City City of La Porte City of Morgan’s Point City of Pasadena

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City of Pearland City of Seabrook City of Shoreacres City of South Houston Community of Channelview Community of East End Community of North Shore Community of Sheldon Community of South Belt-Ellington Baytown Chamber of Commerce

ECONOMIC ALLIANCE | THIRD QUARTER 2016

Deer Park Chamber of Commerce Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce Highlands-Lynchburg Chamber of Commerce Houston East End Chamber of Commerce La Porte-Bayshore Chamber of Commerce North Channel Area Chamber of Commerce Pasadena Chamber of Commerce Pearland Area Chamber of Commerce South Belt-Ellington Chamber of Commerce South Houston Chamber of Commerce

pl President’s Letter

A large part of the Economic Alliances focus is providing economic development services on behalf of our 12 cities, the Port of Houston and Harris County. The Houston Ship Channel is home to one of the world’s most influential energy corridors and trade ports in the world.

Since 2008, the Economic Alliance has supported over 55 successful projects that have facilitated business activities creating over 3,600 new jobs and over 6.4 billion of capital investment.

Over the years it worth the reminder that the Economic Alliance services provide to these projects have included a professional relationship to navigate the multiple facets of the site selection/expansion process, including the facilitation to our economic development support network. Our services in the 55 projects since 2008 have included some aspect of the below support: §§ Conducting real estate searches of existing and greenfield locations for prospects §§ Participation and coordination of site-selection trips/briefings and orientations of the Houston Port region/Harris County §§ Facilitating access to data (via partners) on key business factors that highlight the Houston Port region as a destination for investment and job creation §§ Providing guidance in evaluating and applying for State and Local incentive and workforce programs §§ Advocacy for projects on issues pertaining to permitting and regulation with State and Local entities §§ Mobilization of our key board members, allies, partners to ensure project success We are aware of our past success and we are also aware of the energy sector downturn in the U.S. over the past few years. The industry fluctuations have made the Economic Alliance even more focused on our economic development actives to uncover and facilitate support for companies that want to locate or expand in the most sought-after region in the entire world for petrochemical, manufacturing, maritime and logistics operations.

We are not resting on past successes and we are preparing for our future by doubling down on our economic development activities during these turbulent times to uncover and facilitate support for companies that want to locate or expand.

God bless you,

Chad Burke President/CEO, Economic Alliance

203 Ivy Avenue, Suite 200 Deer Park, TX 77536 281-476-9176 www.allianceportregion.com

ECONOMIC ALLIANCE EXECUTIVE BOARD

Chairman, Jim Griffin, Dianal America Immediate Past Chairman, Karen Gregory, CenterPoint Energy Treasurer, Steve Cote, Brady, Chapman, Holland & Associates Secretary, Lawrence Waldron, Jefferson Energy Companies Vice Chair, Dr. Brenda Hellyer, San Jacinto College Vice Chair, Glenn Royal, The Royal Group at Merrill Lynch Vice Chair, Barry Klein, Shell Deer Park Advisory, Mayor Tom Reid, City of Pearland

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

Randy Boeding, Setech Consulting Solutions Melissa Botkin, Galena Park ISD and City of Seabrook Teri Crawford, San Jacinto College Patti Jett, City of Baytown Susan Smedley, Lee College Connie Tilton, ExxonMobil

ECONOMIC ALLIANCE STAFF

Chad Burke, President/CEO Chad Carson, Vice President of Economic Development Marisela Contreras, Marketing & Communication Coordinator Dana Ramirez, Event & Member Services Coordinator Bridget Yeary, Financial & Administrative Manager Denise Smesny, Dream it. Do It. Southeast Texas, Program Manager Kaitlyn Conner, Special Projects Coordinator

LAYOUT AND DESIGN Lorrent Smith, Lee College

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS marisela@allianceportregion.com

SPONSORSHIP SUBMISSIONS marisela@allianceportregion.com

To read an issue online, go to the bottom of our Homepage: www.allianceportregion.com

ECONOMIC ALLIANCE | THIRD QUARTER 2016

5

How Oil & Gas Payroll Cuts and Demographics

Impact Future Industry Growth

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EDITION

by Robert Kramp Director of Research and Analysis, Texas-Oklahoma-Arkansas Region CBRE Group, Inc.

T

exas and Oklahoma bore the brunt of U.S. energy job losses, with estimated combined furloughs surpassing 80,000 payrolls. Looking ahead to the future oil recovery, the layoffs’ profile may have distinct implications for future industry growth in both oil and natural gas exploration and production.

Global crude oil supply and demand will ultimately find some sort of balance, though, with timeline estimates targeting mid-to-late 2017 for the next hiring cycle. Worker demographics, experience and lost knowledge may be frank challenges for the oil and gas sector once growth resumes.

Source: U.S. EIA, September 2016

Deep cuts (today) characterize domestic energy industry

Oil glut could lead to a (future) worker and knowledge gap

Since the oil downturn began in December 2014, it is estimated that Houston alone has lost nearly 70,000 energy sector-related jobs in the exploration, production, manufacturing, field services, and related professional and business services industries. In other major regional energy hubs, losses have been similarly severe— Oklahoma City lost over 11,000 energy sector-related jobs, with a 33% shrinkage of total jobs in the mining sector (upstream oil) since late 2014. Global cuts to the energy and related sectors number in the hundreds of thousands, with estimates between 350,000 and 400,000 jobs slashed since the start of the downturn.

The sector’s job loss profile has been substantially comprised of highly experienced and talented workers. Experienced, yet expensive, employees have been targeted with both voluntary early retirement and severance packages as firms make an effort to cut costs in the midst of heavy debt levels. The four largest oil majors indulged on record levels of borrowing and hold over $184 billion in combined liabilities, the vast majority of which was accrued in the past two years. The resulting cost cutting measures will certainly have implications for their future workforce. Hiring freezes, attrition (retirees are not being replaced), and a less competitive energy sector job market on the side of oil and gas producers could stymie industry worker development and innovation (crucial to the business), leading to longer-term workforce and experience shortages in the future.

The stark cutbacks in the energy sector today are yet a mere echo of the mid-1980s oil downturn when the perfect storm of over investment, bank failures and crashing oil prices wreaked havoc on the domestic oil industry, hollowing out experienced workers and industry know-how, which took years to redevelop. This time is indeed different—industry reductions have been targeted and more related to rightsizing of somewhat inflated staffs, as opposed to the systemic collapse of large portions of the industry in the ‘80s.

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ECONOMIC ALLIANCE | SECOND QUARTER 2016

Given that the energy sector will recover—as it always has—it is reasonable to assume layoffs, current hiring freezes and the massive demographic shift in workforce precipitated by Baby Boomer retirements could set the stage for a serious worker and

Since the oil downturn began in December 2014, it is estimated that Houston alone has lost nearly 70,000 energy sector-related jobs in the exploration, production, manufacturing, field services, and related professional and business services industries.

knowledge shortage. The estimated 180,000-200,000 energy sector jobs lost nationally represent large portions of employment in highly technical drilling, completion and logistical employment that will need to be filled once global supply and demand returns to new growth levels. Goldman Sachs estimates U.S. oil and gas industry payrolls will grow by between 80,000 and 100,000 by the end of 2018, with the addition of 700 active oil rigs.

However, while the recovery is certain and the world will continue to need oil, the pricing timeline is less certain. Recently, the EIA adjusted its near-term forecast of global oil demand downward amid expectations of a sluggish global economy, while OPEC remains uninterested in the imposition of production caps. As a counterbalance, Big Oil’s expanded focus on natural gas in the current pricing environment may lead to improved employment opportunities due to advancing technology, new market opportunities and evolving emissions standards that make natural gas sensible for an increasing number of applications.

In the final analysis, innovation in the workplace is key to economic growth and energy companies are no exception. Despite the headlines, recent employee cutback volumes reflect this fact.

Robert Kramp has more than 18 years of experience in research, economic development, business development and marketing. As the Director of Research & Analysis for CBRE’s Texas and Oklahoma region, he is responsible for regional research thought leadership, building upon existing CBRE Research capabilities to guide real estate strategies, identify risks and validate decision making.

Most recently, he served as a Senior Vice President and National Director with JLL’s Americas Research team, supporting occupier and investment brokerage teams in the Midwest and Great Lakes region.

He also spent four and a half years in economic development and research with the Greater Houston Partnership, the city’s preeminent economic development organization, and seven and a half years as vice president of national research for Grubb & Ellis.

ECONOMIC ALLIANCE | SECOND QUARTER 2016

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Economic Alliance

BUSINESS RETENTION & EXPANSION PROGRAM

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EDITION

The Economic Alliances BRE program will be an action-oriented approach to economic development. It is designed to promote job growth/capital investment by helping our staff learn about issues and concerns that affect our local businesses.

Economic Development Action Plan Recently the Economic Alliance’s - Economic Development Taskforce has been presented with a 5-point economic development action plan that included: 1. Refinement of our Services and Houston Port Region Value Statements 2. Establishment of a Business Retention & Expansion Program 3. Prioritization of Potential Attraction Activities for ’17 4. Formalization of Networking Events 5. Internal Management and Reporting of Projects 8

ECONOMIC ALLIANCE | THIRD QUARTER 2016

The action plan was designed to identify opportunities to enhance our existing economic development strategies and day to day activities. Ultimately, building our project pipeline and strengthening our prospect, member and ally relationships.

This narrative will focus on one integral aspect of our Economic Development Action Plan: The Establishment of a Business Retention & Expansion (BRE) Program at the Economic Alliance.

Business Retention & Expansion

How Does This Work

Most of the Houston Port regions job growth and capital investment comes from companies already located there.

Based on Blane, Canada Ltd.’s research, a community will average 76% of their growth from existing employers.

Given this, a proactive BRE program will be one of our core economic development strategies.

The process of conducting a business retention interview places two important people across the table from each other. The company representatives meet the Houston Port region (the economic developer) face to face. At this point, the community no longer has a nebulous name; it is a living and breathing individual.

The Economic Alliances BRE program will be an actionoriented approach to economic development. It is designed to promote job growth/capital investment by helping our staff learn about issues and concerns that affect our local businesses.

As the Economic Alliance BRE program acts upon our businesses over time, the process of facilitating business interaction with our economic development allies and members will transpire by bringing resources and solutions to the table. Benefits we can expect from what simply is going to be no more than what can be best described as a business transaction with our customers is as follows:

New Jobs and Capital Investments

Existing Business 76%

Business Attraction 15%

Entrepreneurs 9% Source: Blane, Canada Ltd.

Mission & Objectives of the Business Retention & Expansion Program The mission of the BRE program is to continue to send forth the statement that the Economic Alliance is a viable resource to Houston port region businesses, members, economic development allies and partners by facilitating a business retention & expansion program. Establishing a formal network for area businesses undergoing expansion, contraction or other issues to receive support.

With the clear objectives to: •

Work with our economic development allies and members to identify employers that are a priority to meet with and build a stronger client relationship.

•

Demonstrate to Houston Port region firms that their presence is appreciated to our prosperity.

•

Conduct face to face meetings with local firms to uncover business/resource/networking issues leading to member introduction/capital investment/ job creation interactions.

•

Enhance working relationships with local business, members, and economic development allies.

•

A business can expect and deserves value each time the Economic Alliance interacts with them. A question-and-answer interrogation for the sake of a survey is not business retention. We will conduct real conversations driven by what the business feels is the state of services and/or the business climate in Houston Port region.

The more we interact with our businesses, the more we will know about them. This program is not about data gathering – it is building long-term relationships that gives us an in-depth understanding of who exists here and the climate they operate in, and the ability to customize solutions to solve a problem or seize an opportunity.

Call to Action Be on the lookout over the next several weeks to months of receiving an introduction letter requesting a meeting with the Economic Alliance.

If you want to preempt the letter and set a meeting immediately please contact: Chad Carson Vice President of Economic Development c.carson@allianceportregion.com or 281.476.9176 Ext 1002.

The Economic Alliance through its Economic Development efforts is focused on uncovering and facilitating support for companies that want to locate or expand in the most sought-after region in the entire world for petrochemical, manufacturing, maritime and logistics operations. We hope you will participate when we call.

ECONOMIC ALLIANCE | THIRD QUARTER 2016

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PROFESSIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SERVICES Focused on State and Local Incentive and Workforce Programs The Economic Alliance’s Economic Development services provide a professional relationship to navigate the multiple facets of the site selection/expansion process, including the facilitation to our economic development support network. These services may include:

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EDITION

• Conducting real estate searches of existing and greenfield locations for prospects • Participation and coordination of site-selection trips/briefings and orientations of the Houston Port region/Harris County • Facilitate access to data (via partners) on key business factors that highlight the Houston Port region as a destination for investment and job creation • Provide guidance in evaluating and applying for State and Local incentive and workforce programs • Advocacy for projects on issues pertaining to permitting and regulation with State and Local entities • Mobilization of our key board members, allies, partners to ensure project success Not all projects require the comprehensive list of services above and some may only require one aspect of the services outlined. For the sake of this article, the following narrative will expand on the incentive and workforce program guidance. A company in the Houston Port region that is making a considerable capital investment and creating jobs may be eligible for a variety of local and state incentives to support new, expanding and relocating operations.

The Economic Alliance staff can evaluate and assist in the identification of incentive programs that may be applied to your project. We can provide program insight/eligibility potential, monetary value overview and facilitate the introductions to the various agencies that manage both state and local programs.

The incentive landscape includes numerous contacts and organizations and the Economic Alliance can help organize this process and provide a road map to navigating various programs and their differing eligibility requirements.

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The Economic Allianc assist in the identificat that may be applied to

ce staff can evaluate and tion of incentive programs o your project.

The following is a quick of overview of the more common programs at the State and Local level that could be applied to your project in the Houston Port region:

STATE INCENTIVES Texas Enterprise Fund The Governor, with approval of the Lt. Governor and Speaker of the House, can award cash grants for economic development, infrastructure development, community development, and/or job training programs to companies relocating or expanding in the state of Texas.

• Projects considered for Enterprise Fund support must demonstrate a project’s worthiness, maximize the benefit to the State of Texas and realize a significant rate of return of the public dollars. Minimum of 75 new jobs with wages at or above the county average must be created or brought into Texas.

• Award amounts have been in the range of $1,000 up to $10,000 per job created, with an average of $5,000 per qualifying new job in Texas.

• Several companies in the Houston Port region (Harris County and Chambers County) over the years have been successful in their applications for an award from the fund.

Skills Development Fund Grants are available to train employees through the Houston port region community and technical colleges. This fund assists businesses and trade unions by financing the design and implementation of customized job training projects.

•

Training grants have averaged approximately $1,800 per qualifying trainee.

•

The average maximum award is $500,000 per company.

•

Our partner colleges (San Jacinto, Lee College) applies for the grant and administers the grant on the company’s behalf.

Capital Development Fund •

Specifically, in Chambers County, the fund supports rural business development, retention and expansion by providing capital for public infrastructure, real estate development, or the elimination of deteriorated conditions.

•

Provides a zero-interest loan to fund real estate acquisition or improvements to create or retain permanent jobs in primarily rural communities and counties.

•

The fund provides grants for infrastructure development to create or retain permanent jobs in primarily rural communities and counties.

ECONOMIC ALLIANCE | THIRD QUARTER 2016

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Economic Development and Diversification InState Tuition Incentive May be presented to qualified businesses that are in the decision-making process to relocate or expand their operations into Texas.

• Allows employees and family members of the qualified business to pay Texas resident tuition rate at a Texas public institution of higher education before establishing residency.

• Qualified businesses must be part of the program five years before the student’s school enrollment date.

• Requires a predominant use study that can be provided by the Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center (TMAC).

Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center (TMAC) While not set up to provide a direct State or Local incentive the organization is an asset that can assist manufacturing operations remain competitive in ever changing global marketplace. TMAC provides technical assistance at a discounted rate for process improvements, environmental regulations upgrade, changes in technology and the marketplace.

LOCAL INCENTIVES

Research & Development Tax Credit

Chapter 312 – Property Tax Abatement

The credit provides qualified companies with an option for tax savings. A company may select one of the below options:

Harris and Chamber Counties along with several cities within the Houston port region offer ad valorem property tax abatements that exempt from taxation all or part of the increased value in real or personal property.

• A sales tax exemption for purchases of equipment and software used in qualified research in Texas OR, a franchise tax credit for R&D expenditures.

• The total credit cannot exceed 50 percent of the company’s franchise tax due for the period.

Manufacturing Sales Tax Exemption An operation conducting manufacturing, processing, fabricating or repairing tangible equipment are eligible for a sales tax exemption on the purchase of machinery or equipment used or consumed in or during the actual manufacturing, processing, or fabrication of tangible personal property for ultimate sale if the use or consumption of the property is necessary or essential to the manufacturing, processing, or fabrication operation.

Sales Tax Exemption on Utilities A facility that uses more than 50 percent of their utilities in the manufacturing, processing, or fabricating of products for resale may apply for a sales tax exemption on their utilities. The sales tax exemption applies to all utilities purchased through a single point of delivery as long as the utilities are predominantly used to manufacture, process, or fabricate the product.

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• Maximum tax abatement is 100% per year and cannot exceed 10 years in length. Terms of the abatement agreement, including the minimum required investments and job creation, vary among the taxing jurisdictions.

• Harris County’s typical program terms are 10 years and 50% abatement. Several jurisdictions will have differing terms based on the scope of the project.

• Pollution Control Property Tax Abatements are available to companies with facilities, devices and equipment used to control air, water or land pollution. Companies wishing to apply for tax relief for their efforts in controlling pollution can apply for a positive use determination from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).

Chapter 313 – School Property Tax Limitation An appraised value limitation agreement in which a taxpayer agrees to build or install property and create jobs in exchange for a limitation on the taxable property value for school district maintenance and operations tax (M&O) purposes and a tax credit.

• The minimum limitation value varies by school district and depends on the size of the tax base and can range from $10M to $100M. • For example, La Porte ISD’s minimum limitation for a project is $60M. Chapter 380 / 381 Economic Development Agreements Are allowed by the Texas Local Government Code permitting cities and counties to offer flexible incentives designed to promote economic development such as commercial and retail projects.

• Key components may provide for offering loans and grants of city funds or services; commitments for infrastructure; or payments to a business of an amount equal to a portion of the local sales tax generated by the project.

• The terms of the agreements may be flexible to suit both the needs of the businesses and the local community and are determined on a case-by-case basis.

• While not a common program utilized by Harris County several cities have tapped the program including but not limited to Pasadena, Houston, Deer Park, Seabrook and Baytown (Chambers County).

A facility that uses more than 50 percent of their utilities in the manufacturing, processing, or fabricating or products for resale may apply for a sales tax exemption on their utilities.

Type A and B Economic Development Corporations Authorized by the legislature in 1979, an important tool used by local communities to support real estate, infrastructure, and training. Both type A and B corporations are authorized to fund projects which create or retain primary jobs or business infrastructure.

•

One example of this structure being utilized in the Houston Port region is the City of Pasadena’s Second Century Corporation, a non-profit industrial development corporation governed

by Section 4B of the Development Corporation Act of 1979.

ECONOMIC ALLIANCE | THIRD QUARTER 2016

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The Houston Foreign Trade Zone also offers more than 700 acres of zone-authorized land and building space for lease and development to companies wanting to conduct their own operations with the Houston FTZ.

•

The Corporation collects $.05 sales tax and annually receives $9,000,000 for funding of various public purpose projects that may affect the infrastructure needs of a company’s planned investments.

Enterprise Zone Program Local communities partner with Texas to promote job creation and capital investment in economically distressed areas. Approved projects are eligible to apply for state sales and use tax refunds on qualified expenditures.

• Employers who commit to creating or retaining permanent jobs, make capital investment, and fill at least 25% of its new jobs with individuals who are either economically disadvantaged, veterans, or residents of an enterprise zone can receive state sales & use tax refunds on items purchased for the designation site.

• Benefits are based on job creation or retention and capital investment. For most projects, the maximum sales tax rebate is $2,500 per qualifying employee, up to 500 employees. Larger projects can qualify for higher rebates up to $7,500 per qualifying employee.

• Counties of Harris and Chambers along with the Cities of Houston, Pasadena, Deer Park and LaPorte have been active in the program.

Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs) Are available in the Houston Port region, and they allow companies dealing in foreign trade to delay payment of U.S. Custom’s import duties until their goods and merchandise actually enter U.S. commerce.

• The Port of Houston Authority manages a foreign trade zone which includes many privately owned and portowned sites located throughout Houston and Harris County, Texas. The Houston Zone offers users special benefits. For example, customs duties on imported goods entering the FTZ can be delayed until the cargo is removed from the zone. No duty is paid if the merchandise is exported directly from the zone.

• The Houston Foreign Trade Zone also offers more than 700 acres of zone-authorized land and building space for lease and development to companies wanting to conduct their own operations within the Houston FTZ. Freeport Exemption Taxing authorities in Texas are allowed to exempt ad valorem property taxes for all business inventories acquired in or brought into Texas for fabrication, assembling, manufacture, storage or processing and then exported outside the state within 175 days.

• Freeport eligible items include: goods, wares, merchandise, other tangible personal property (including aircraft parts) and ores. Non-eligible items include oil, natural gas and other petroleum products.

• No approval required but the taxing districts must be participants. Participating jurisdictions in the Houston port region include: Cities: Galena Park, League City – School Districts: Deer Park ISD, and La Porte ISD.

ECONOMIC ALLIANCE | THIRD QUARTER 2016

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TASK

FORCE

updates

Economic Development Task Force Over the last quarter the Economic Development Taskforce met to discuss several ongoing economic development attractions, retention & expansion projects to highlight potential capital investment and job creation in the Houston Port Region.

The group also set up two sub taskforces to organize opportunities to enhance the Economic Alliances existing economic development strategies and day to day activities: • Business Retention & Expansion: Met to establish a proactive business outreach program. The mission is to establish a network for area businesses undergoing expansion, contraction or other issues to receive support.

The Economic Alliance will work with our economic development Allies to identify employers that are a priority to build a stronger client relationship and demonstrate to local firms that the Port region and local jurisdictions appreciates their contribution to our prosperity. All of this done through on one business meetings to uncover any issues leading to member introduction/capital investments/job creation.

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• Business Connections & Advancement Sub Task Force: Met to begin planning local networking opportunities to strengthen relationships with existing business, key allies, brokers, local consultants and corporate and association partners.

Ultimately, this effort will build relationships to deliver the Economic Alliance Value/Services Statement of doing business in the Houston Port region and profile our Membership base.

The taskforce will continue to be a source of relevant information and from time to time speakers will be invited to share with the group their expertise on various economic development related topics: •

This past quarter Jenny Philip, Director, Economic Research, Greater Houston Partnership discussed the Energy Industry and Its Impact on the Houston Economy.

Touching on the topic of low oil prices and how the Houston’s economy has fared as well as the region’s other key industries that are helping to offset the losses from the energy sector.

Going forward guest speakers will include company representatives from recent announced projects to provide an overview of capital investment and job creation commitments in the Houston Port region.

The Economic Development Taskforce meets on the last Wednesday of every month from 3pm to 4pm at the Economic Alliance office and is currently chaired by Kristi Claypool, Meador Staffing Services.

Quality of Life Task Force The Economic Alliance Quality of Life task force committee is in the midst of two important projects. The first, creating a unified collateral piece featuring each member City and tourism destination, is underway with a final design in the approval stage.

The second, research regarding a possible on-the-ground effort, continues this month with a meeting with the City of Houston, who will share experiences and best practices with the installation of mini-murals throughout their area. As Quality of Life continues to move forward, membership is an ongoing priority and focus area. If you are involved in communications, tourism, economic development or administration for your municipality or entity and would like to be a part of our mission, please reach out today!

Workforce Development Task Force The Workforce Development Task Force, under the leadership of Dr. Allatia Harris of San Jacinto College, heard a report during the last quarter from San Jacinto and Lee Colleges who reported on grant funded training opportunities and enrollment in critical workforce programs at their respective campuses. In the latest task force meeting, Noltex’s Dani Grant spoke on behalf of the HR Managers in the port region and reported on the issues and concerns that the HR directors are facing throughout the area.

Dream It. Do It. Southeast Texas Education Foundation Presentations from this quarter included the Baytown Kiwanis, Project Grad for high school students at San Jacinto College Central Campus, a staff development training session for 45 Gulf Coast area science teachers, a presentation at the Career and Technical Education Conference in Ft. Worth, and classroom presentations at Baytown’s Robert E. Lee High School and Goose Creek Memorial High School. The upcoming quarter will have Denise Smesny staffing booths at the Southeast Texas Career Youth Expo in Beaumont and at Mayor Turner’s Find Your Path Career Expo at Reliant Center.

ECONOMIC ALLIANCE | THIRD QUARTER 2016

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Economic Alliance in

MOTION CAREER YOUTH EXPO “CONNECT TO YOUR FUTURE” Sponsored by Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas and held at Ford Park in Beaumont, this event helps demonstrate various occupations to an estimated 3,000 high school students from Hardin, Jefferson, and Orange counties to help students “connect” to the exciting career opportunities available in Southeast Texas. A Dream It. Do It. booth was staffed by Denise Smesny and volunteers from BASF as they informed students about potential careers in the Gulf Coast area requiring less than a 4-year degree in high-need, highwage occupations in the petrochemical, maritime, logistics and transportation, and construction fields.

THANK YOU TO OUR 2016 SUMMER INTERN KATELYN “KATE” WILLIS The Economic Alliance Houston Port Region thanks Kate for interning with us this past summer. Kate helped in preparation for the Gulf Coast Industry Forum this year, and other special projects. Prior to her leaving Economic Alliance, Kate accepted an internship as a research assistant at The Federalist Society. Still in the pursuit of a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications with a minor in Political Science & Non-Profit Organizations and Public Service, Kate has enjoyed returning to school. We appreciated her time here with us, and know that she will have many open doors after graduation.

PANEL DISCUSSION ON CHEMICAL INDUSTRY CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AND EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS Hosted by The Texas Chemical Council on the final day of the Science Teacher and Industry Staff Development Denise Smesny sat on an Industrial Workforce Panel that included Glen Johnson of BASF, Dr. Allatia Harris of San Jacinto College, and Ray Brewster of INEOS Polymers. The group discussed educational and certification requirements on the high-need, high-wage careers requiring less than a 4-year degree.

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Economic Alliance in

MOTION

CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION CONFERENCE Denise Smesny attended the CTEC Conference held in Fort Worth in late July. She presented a Dream It. Do It. Workforce Development session to approximately 35 Career and Technical Education teachers and administrators on Wednesday, July 27th. The presentation featured information on high-need, highly-skilled, high-wage career opportunities in the manufacturing, petrochemical, maritime, logistics and transportation, and construction industries requiring less than a 4-year degree. Additionally, Denise attended and provided additional information to audience members at the EHCMA PetrochemWorks presentation hosted

by Dani Grant of Noltex, Ludith Gonzales of San Jacinto College, Carolyn Watson of JP Morgan Chase, and Gregg Shipp of Conroe ISD. Denise earned 21 hours of CPI credit by attending the following sessions: • • • • • • • • • • • •

MAYOR’S ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING - 2017 LEGISLATIVE SESSION PREP Facilitated a discussion identifying the issues and bills that will be in play during the 2017 State Legislative Session directly affecting EA communities, industry, infrastructure, port and education/ training institutions.

CTAT Awards Committee Meeting CTAT Scholarship Committee Meeting General Opening Session – Speaker: Adam Braun of Pencils of Promise and Mission U Soft Skills: What Are They and Why Do We Need Them? – LaJoya ISDA The Skills Prism: Understanding Labor Market Dynamics through Skills by Economist Rich Froeschle Corporate Partnerships: A Framework for Student and Industry Success – Dallas ISD Texas Legislative 85th Session presented by CTAT Lobbyist Marty DeLeon Engaging Business Partnerships Through Externships, Job Shadowing, and Reverse Job Shadowing - Round Rock ISD Fully Funded Online CTE Supplements – corporate presentation Plenary Session: Teacher of the Year and TEA Update – TEA update was presented by Diane Salazar, State CTE Director Give Employers What They Want: Work Ethic – corporate presentation Closing General Session featuring Mick Normington, Business Specialist, Texas Workforce Commission, Labor Market and Career Information ECONOMIC ALLIANCE | THIRD QUARTER 2016

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Economic Alliance in

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ECONOMIC ALLIANCE BOARD MEETING Economic Alliance held its’ Board and member meeting at Lee College in Baytown. The committee Chairs reported on activities over the previous two months, and Harris County Judge Ed Emmett addressed the group and discussed transportation issues within the Houston Port Region.

SAN JACINTO COLLEGE SBDC BOARD ROOM AT ECONOMIC ALLIANCE The Economic Alliance recently renovated the Board Room Located at the center of the building. This Board Room is now available for meetings upon reservation. Please email Dana Ramirez at dana@allianceportregion.com or Bridget Yeary at bridget@allianceportregion.com for more information.

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BUSINESS EDUCATION LUNCHEON SERIES Economic Alliance Hosted the Business Education Luncheon Series at the Houston Yacht Club. Our Keynote Speaker was Dr. Richard Murray – Professor of Public Policy, University of Houston and spoke about “What will the November Election mean to the Houston Port Report?”

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GULF COAST INDUSTRY FORUM PROVIDES INSIGHT INTO ROBUST ECONOMIC SECTOR The Gulf Coast Industry Forum is an annual event, hosted by the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region. The Economic Alliance created this forum to help companies to acquire the latest updates on the industry. By allowing the industries key stakeholders to provide forecasts, many companies can adjust their compasses to match the economy’s direction.

The Economic Alliance is a non-profit, regional economic development corporation. Membership of the organization consists of 12 cities, the Port of Houston Authority, Harris County, and over 250 private industry members with business in the vicinity of the 25-mile Houston Ship Channel.

The Gulf Coast Industry Forum took place on August 24th and 25th, at the Pasadena Convention Center. Top executives spoke on the highlights of expansion along the Gulf Coast Region. They discussed logistics, expansion of petrochemical exports, and growth along the lines of workforce development.

On Wednesday, Port of Houston Authority Executive Director, Roger Guenther and Senior Vice President of Global Operations, Exxon Mobil, Bruce March took the stand on both local and international growth amongst the industry. Energy Export Panelists, Mark Mallett (Freeport LNG), Lawrence Waldron (Jefferson Energy), Anatol Feygin (Cheniere LNG), and Bill Ordemann (Enterprise Products) discussed the expectations of energy export expansion. Congressman Gene Green and Congressman Brian Babin provided a congressional update that left viewers eager to see what will happen in the near future.

Over 800 attended the event, including students from San Jacinto College, Lee College, Lamar University, Texas Southern University, and Houston Community College who participated in the student breakfast before the conference on Thursday. Dozens of students engaged in networking with conference speakers and industry officials; informing them of career paths and opportunities within the petrochemical and logistics industries.

The Petrochemical Panel started off Thursday’s discussion with Dale Friedrichs (LyondellBasell), Robert Armstrong (Kuraray), and David King (INEOS) along with Andy Powell (Grieg Star Shipping), Eric J. Chance (Hanjin), and Cliff Kuhfeldt (Bahri Shipping) on the Shipping and Logistics Panel. Keynote speaker, Dr. Bryan Shaw, TCEQ Chairman, discussed the latest EPA regulations and their effect on the petrochemical industry in Texas.

After lunch, Texas Railroad Commissioner, Ryan Sitton, informed the crowd about the global oil and gas market. George P. Bush, Texas Land Commissioner, brought the conference to a conclusion with a discussion about protecting the region’s communities and industrial assets with the proposed hurricane surge protection project.

By all measures, the conference was a huge success. Economic Alliance would like to think all of the moderators, Jesse Thompson of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Monty Heins, Site Manager for Dow and EHCMA Chairman, Dennis Winkler of Winkler Public Relations, and Patrick Jankowski with the Greater Houston Partnership for leading the panel discussions. We would also like to thank all of our sponsors, without whom the conference would not be possible.

Bart Turner Joins Andrew Myer’s Construction Practice Bart Turner joins the Houston office in the Construction practice group, where his practice focuses on construction-related transactions including complex EPC and EPCm transactions, FEED and pre-FEED transactions, construction related change orders and claims resolution, project risk management, lien and bond claims, insurance, and workouts. He has 18 years of experience working in house with Fortune 500 companies and has represented an ENR Top International Contractor for over 17 years practicing in the hydrocarbons, industrial and power sectors.

Bart has worked on gas processing, refining, power and industrial projects including international projects in various locations around the world including Indonesia, Australia, Africa, Middle East and Europe with many of these projects having a value in excess of several billions of dollars.

He has significant experience representing clients in drafting and negotiating complex construction contracts under multiple project delivery systems including complex hybrid structures and LSTK, purchase orders, forming joint ventures, limited liability companies, teaming arrangements and strategic alliances. He also has provided counsel on project related claims and change order disputes with many of them in excess of multi-millions of dollars.

Prior to joining the firm Bart was a vice president in the KBR, Inc. Legal Department.

Seven AM Attorneys Selected by Best Lawyers® Seven attorneys from Andrews Myers were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in the 23rd Edition of The Best Lawyers in America© in the practice areas of Construction Law and Litigation - Construction. Congratulations to: •

Bill Andrews - Litigation - Construction

•

Bill Davidson - Litigation - Construction

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Linda Emery - Construction Law

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Carson Fisk - Construction Law

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Tom Myers - Litigation - Construction, Construction Law

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Jason Walker - Litigation - Construction

•

Ben Westcott - Litigation - Construction, Construction Law

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Brady, Chapman, Holland & Associates, Inc. announces the election of Steve Cote to Senior Vice President and Shareholder.

Steve grew up in the Pasadena area helping run a family owned business of over 30 years. He attended San Jacinto Junior College and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Houston. Steve has been an active chamber of commerce member, an executive board member to the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region, PISD Education Foundation member, served as a Pasadena City Council member and is a member of the First Baptist Church-Pasadena.

Steve has been a Commercial Lines Risk Advisor with Brady, Chapman, Holland & Associates, Inc. since 2007. He has earned his CRIS (Construction Risk & Insurance Specialist), CIC (Certified Insurance Counselor), and CRM (Certified Risk Manager) professional designations. Steve will celebrate 20 years of marriage to his wife, Amy, and they are raising their daughters, Morgan, 12, and Meredith, 9, in Pasadena.

Steve’s commitment to both education relating to insurance product knowledge and becoming your trusted advisor, support his primary focus of helping his clients manage their total cost of risk and plan for the future.

Please join us in congratulating Steve on this latest accomplishment!

Brady, Chapman, Holland & Associates, Inc. announces the election of Traci Howell to Senior Vice President and Shareholder.

Traci began her career for an independent insurance agency in Northwest Montana. She relocated to Houston in 1999, continuing her career with a national insurance brokerage firm, joining BCH in early 2009.

Over the last 26 years in the industry, Traci has earned her CBC (Chartered Benefits Consultant), and CIC (Certified Insurance Counselor) professional designations. In 2013, she completed the PPACA (Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act) certification course through the National Association of Health Underwriters.

Traci’s commitment to both education relating to insurance product knowledge as well as market conditions, including the ever changing rules and regulations around health care reform support her primary focus of helping her clients make business decisions today and plan for the future.

Please join us in congratulating Traci on this latest accomplishment!

Bic Recruiting Expands Its Team Kristine Forrester has joined as an executive recruiter. Forrester has 10 years of oil and gas recruiting experience and natural sales and business development skills. She will be responsible for recruiting for BIC recruiting’s traditional line of business as well as engineering and technical services.

Shelby Schwem has joined as an account executive. Schwem has a strong background in sales and business development. He will be taking the lead on continuing to develop BIC Recruiting’s traditional lines of business.

Amber Turner joins BIC Alliance as a calculated risk-taker with deep industry knowledge. With over ten years of diversified project support experience in power and industrial companies settings we are pleased to have a highly developed analytical, technical and problem solving skilled individual join our team here at BIC. Katlyne Pyle has joined the Bic Alliance team as a Circulation Assistant. Katlyne will be responsible for keeping all client data organized and up to date.

Katlyne brings 6 years of experience in this field to Bic Alliance.

Choice! Energy Services Choice! Energy Services employs home-town talent to develop a software platform that provides a solution for the biggest Achilles heel of all businesses; their inability to manage their utility expense. The effort has been recognized

by CIO Insights and Choice! Energy Services was named a Top 10 Most Promising Energy Management Solutions for 2016.

As opposed to the typical data software delivering overload of information you need to navigate yourself, CESConnect is a “lean-back” platform which proactively delivers actionable insights to better each and every business. A new Economic Alliance member, D&L Quality Painting, will soon start receiving the full benefit of Choice Energy’s holistic approach to management of utilities, adding to the already realized significant savings delivered through strategic energy supply sourcing process.

City of Baytown The City of Baytown was awarded the 2016 “Best Online Innovation” by Vision Internet in the software developer’s third annual “What’s Next” competition, which recognizes local government websites for excellence in citizen engagement, GreenGov, online innovation, transparency and visual impact.

Baytown was recognized for Online Innovation –teaming with Google to provide virtual tours of City parks and facilities. Simply click on a facility’s front door to “walk in,” or on a park overlay to explore the park’s assets.

The City offers tours of: • • • • • • • • • • • •

Sterling Municipal Library Nature Center Eddie V. Gray Wetlands Center City Hall Community Center Pirates Bay Water Park Calypso Cove Town Square Jenkins Park Roseland Park Bicentennial Park Wayne Gray Sports Complex

Links to each virtual tour can be found at www.baytown.org/ google.

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City of Deer Park On September 6, City Council approved an agreement with Cencor Realty Services as agents for the partnership developing The Junction at Deer Park retail development project, a new shopping center located at Spencer Highway and East Boulevard in Deer Park, which currently includes an 83,000 square-foot H-E-B. The project is anticipated to generate nearly $40 million in both ad valorem (property) taxes and sales tax over a 15-year period, encourage economic development for the City and generate a substantial number of jobs.

According to JoBeth Prochaska, Cencor Houston’s Senior Vice President, the Junction at Deer Park will bring an array of services, shops, restaurants and major retailers to join the project’s grocery anchor, H-E-B.

industry, with tools like Petrochemworks.com, and enable companies to train, hire and retain those individuals in these critical professions.

EHCMA is also looking forward to its third annual Workforce Development Golf Tournament on October 28. Proceeds from the tournament will fund scholarships and technical programs at San Jacinto College, Lee College and Houston Community College. For more information, visit EHCMA.org.

H+M “H+M was recently included on Houston Business Journal’s 2016 Fast 100 list. For the 3rd year in a row, H+M has received this award for being one of the fastest-growing Houston-based private companies.”

SafeStart® School & Community Presentations

Read the full story on the City’s Web site, www.deerparktx.gov.

Congratulations are in order for the City of Deer Park Finance Department, who have received notification from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) that – for the 29th consecutive year – the City’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) was awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.

“Our Finance Department and our City administrators have worked diligently and consistently to secure this important recognition every year since 1987,” Mayor Jerry Mouton said. “These strong financial management practices lead to many benefits for the City, such as higher bond ratings and lower interest rates on major projects.”

To read the full story or learn more about the Finance Department, visit the City’s Web site at www.deerparktx.gov.

EHCMA

With the need for up to 12,000 craft workers in place by January 2019, EHCMA members teamed up with the Associated Builders & Contractors of Greater Houston (ABC) to form a Workforce Steering Team. This collaboration of major organizations in the industry is an effort to meet workforce retirement and growth challenges. The new team will meet monthly and aims to attract individuals to the 24 ECONOMIC ALLIANCE | THIRD QUARTER 2016

Recently students at Deer Park High School Principles of Business and Devereux School career classes were trained by Gail Harris, a Certified SafeStart® Trainer at INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, on how to avoid safety issues in their everyday lives. These students were taught how to recognize the causes of the risk of injury and how it can affect themselves, family members, friends, school, work, and the overall quality of their lives. Using personal stories, videos, & reference materials Gail was able to impart an actual technique for living safer lives. Most people at this point in their lives have only received training akin to “pay attention” & “be careful” which doesn’t really give them true ownership of their personal safety. Some of the students comments were “It really changed the way I think now. I’m going to pay more attention to my surroundings”, “she made us think of how our parents would feel if we got really hurt”, “I like the card with the awareness methods”.

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Innovative Alternatives

Dan Reddick

Innovative Alternatives, Inc. doubled its budget for next fiscal year! We expanded our corporate headquarters by 40%, adding 8 new offices and are also co-locating services in 10 other nonprofit agencies to offer mental health service to clients from Galveston to West Houston! IA increased its Victim Assistance Program counseling services to any crime victim, from $240,000 to $700,000 annually and recently received a capacity building grant from the Episcopal Health Foundation for $244,500 for a Resource Development Department to assist in building its training and fundraising programs. IA invites you to its Cowboy Casino Night with dinner from LongHorn Steakhouse on 9/30 and/or Sporting Clay Shoot on 10/10 at the Greater Houston Gun Club. For tickets or sponsorships, call Gaby at 713-222-2525 or http://birdeasepro.com/iablast

The Industrial Company (TIC), a division of Kiewit Corporation, is welcoming Dan Reddick to its Woodlands, Texas office. Reddick was recently promoted to president of TIC Southern Oil, Gas and Chemical and has relocated from Bakersfield, California to the Houston area. Since joining TIC in 1982, he has served in a variety of roles from project engineer to senior operations manager to district manager of the west coast. As president, Reddick is responsible for the execution of oil, gas and chemical construction projects.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of California-Berkeley.

JV Driver Expands U.S. Leadership Team

Munro’s Safety Apparel

DEER PARK – JV Driver Group recently expanded its U.S. leadership team with the transfer of Todd Robinson from its corporate headquarters in Alberta, Canada to the firm’s Gulf Coast office based in the Houston, Texas area. Todd brings over 15 years of experience with JV Driver to the role of Vice President. In his new role, Todd will be responsible for oversight of all project operations, including both office and field services.

We just opened our newest store location in Baytown, TX earlier this year. We carry the best vendors in FR apparel as well as accessories including boots and other PPE required protection. What many people don’t realize is that we not only sell to the walk in consumer, but we run large corporate safety programs through our stores. If your company is interested in a quote for your uniform needs, please contact me. We also do our own customization on any garment you need. Does your company have a uniform service? We do that too-our other division is Uniform Services, and we can service the Houston and surrounding areas.

President Roger Gossett said of the move, “Todd is a welcome addition to the Gulf Coast leadership team. With the epicenter of the downstream business unit shifting to the Gulf Coast, we have an ‘all hands on deck’ approach to meet our clients’ needs. We are fortunate to have a wealth of additional large capital project experience to draw on via Todd, and I know he will be pivotal in underscoring JV Driver Group USA’s commitment to stellar project execution.”

Come visit us in store or go to our website at www.munrosinc.net Munro’s Safety Apparel 8018 N Hwy 146 Baytown, TX 77523 (832) 781-2221

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Pannell Kerr Forster of Texas, P.C. Recognized by Three Award Programs PKF Texas has been honored with three distinguished awards.

Accounting Today’s Best Accounting Firms to Work for in the United States is designed to identify, recognize and honor the best places of employment in the accounting industry. The When Work Works award is awarded to employers who use effective workplace strategies to increase business and employee success. The INSIDE Public Accounting’s IPA Top 200 Firms award is a ranking of the nation’s largest accounting firms through financial and operational data. These awards showcase PKF Texas’ ongoing efforts to continually build and improve their culture and client services.

Project Control/Raba Kistner Announce that Merrill Stanley has joined Firm as Healthcare Division Manager Project Control is announcing Merrill Stanley has joined the firm as Healthcare Division Manager.

Mr. Stanley is utilizing his vast third party project management consulting experience to expand Project Control’s healthcare presence into multiple markets.

Mr. Stanley brings 22 plus years’ experience in project management with a focus on healthcare facilities and organizations. Merrill specializes in project management of greenfield, expansion and renovations to healthcare facilities and has managed several healthcare programs for major institutions in Texas.

Mr. Stanley holds a Master of Science in Technology from Texas State University and a Bachelor of Science

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in Interior Design from the University of Texas at Austin.

Prior to joining Project Control, Merrill served as Director of Operations for Milestone Project Management, Senior Project Manager for Irvine Team, and Senior Project Manager for Century Development in Houston, TX.

San Jacinto College Named One Of Nation’s Top 10 Community Colleges San Jacinto College has been named one of 10 finalists for the prestigious 2017 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s preeminent recognition of high achievement and performance in America’s community colleges. The Prize has been awarded every two years since 2011 by the Aspen Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based educational and policy studies organization which recognizes outstanding institutions selected from an original pool of more than 1,000 public community colleges nationwide. The focus of the Prize is assessing community colleges’ achievements in terms of student success in four areas: student learning, certificate and degree completion, employment and earnings for graduates and access and success for minority and lowincome students.

City of Seabrook Over the past year the City of Seabrook has passed several plans that improve our city for future economic development.

With the highway expansion, Seabrook has had to be very proactive with economic incentives, empowerment zones and other methods on how to retain and attract new businesses.

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In 2015/2016 we developed a new Comprehensive Master Plan. This plan was a year plus in the making, but resulted in a impressive plan with a ton of community input. In addition, the city designed a much needed Thoroughfare Plan as transportation is the heart of our community. The plan is a tool that the city can use to mange, guide and design an efficient transportation system that accommodates new economic development growth in our area.

Each April Seabrook City Council holds a Strategic Planning Meeting and Economic Development is always a top priority of for the city. This year’s Economic Development initiatives include: Encouraging Activity Centers within Planning Area and Special Districts, Promoting Seabrook as a Destinations for Visitors with a new marketing campaign #SeabrookLove, Encourage and Support Economic Development, Redevelopment, Recruitment and Retention and lastly Updating and Implementing Changes to Major Codes and City Ordinances.

As you may know over the next several years our small community faces an enormous challenge with the expansion of 146. It is predicted that we will lose approximately 40% of our business base due to the project. Paul Chavez and other city staff are in constant communication with all the businesses who will be impacted by the expansion. They are working daily with developers and landowners to find places to relocated these businesses so they can stay in Seabrook.

Tolunay-Wong Engineers promotes Jaideep Chatterjee, Ph.D., P.E. to Principal Engineer of its Southeast Regional Engineering Operations Jaideep has served as Senior Project Manager for the Beaumont Geotechnical Operation and will now provide engineering oversight, guidance, supervision and training to multiple teams working on numerous projects throughout its Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast offices.

Jaideep has extensive experience in Geotechnical Engineering along the Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi Gulf Coast. Over a period of 7 years prior to 2009, Dr. Chatterjee carried out research and development at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo.

A significant amount of this research work resulted in a doctoral dissertation and has been published in reputable peer-reviewed engineering journals.

If this is something you are interested in, I can help or even write an article for you and include pictures for your publication. The SH 146 Expansion will not only have an impact on our city but it will also impact traffic and goods transport for the entire region.

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CALENDAR of EVENTS NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

Business Growth Task Force Meeting

Transportation Task Force

November 2nd @ 9:00am – 10:00am

Tuesday, December 6th 3:00pm – 4:00pm

Annual Banquet

Friday, November 4th 6:00pm – 10:00pm

Business Growth Task Force Wednesday, December 7th 9:00am – 10:00am

Gulf Coast Industry Forum Committee Meeting Tuesday, November 15th 3:00pm – 4:00pm

Economic Development Task Force Wednesday, November 16th 3:00pm – 4:00pm

Workforce Development Task Force Thursday, November 17th 3:00pm – 4:00pm

Economic Alliance Office Closed Thanksgiving Holiday November 24th – 25th

Public Policy Task Force Tuesday, November 29th 3:00pm – 4:00pm

Economic Development Task Force Wednesday, November 30th 3:00pm – 4:00pm

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Economic Alliance Open House & New Member Orientation Thursday, December 8th 12:00pm – 1:00pm

Economic Alliance Christmas Party Thursday, December 8th 1:00 – 5:00pm

Gulf Coast Industry Forum Committee Meeting Tuesday, December 13th 3:00pm – 4:00pm

Workforce Development Task Force Thursday, December 15th 3:00pm – 4:00pm

Economic Alliance Office Closed Christmas Holiday December 23rd – 26th

Newsletter Sponsorship Your sponsorship will allow us to continue to broaden our reach and to maintain and improve the visual quality of the publication and written content. We have some exciting themes planned for 2016 and look forward to continuing to highlight the impressive accomplishments of our members and region.

Quarterly publication sponsors will receive: §§ A sponsor ad in the print and online versions of the publication commensurate with level of sponsorship §§ A link to the sponsor company website from the electronic version of the publication

Sponsorship Opportunities

Based on the structured space we have within our publication, there will be a limited number of sponsorships available.

Website Sponsorship The Economic Alliance is developing a brand new mobile-responsive and user-friendly website to be launched in the third quarter of this year. We are now offering quarterly Website Sponsorship opportunities to begin showing upon launch to have your company logo placed prominently in key sections of the new website. With over 50,000 page views per month on average, a Website Sponsorship is an excellent way for members to increase their brand awareness and make the most of their membership in the Economic Alliance.

Please contact our Marketing & Communications Coordinator, Marisela Contreras via email at marisela@allianceportregion.com, for sponsorship levels and benefits.

Join Our Growing List of Members Our Partner Members

D&L

Quality Painting, Inc.

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ECONOMIC ALLIANCE | THIRD QUARTER 2016

Our Stakeholder*, Corporate, and Proprietorship Members A & B Labs Adaptive Tech Services Aggregate Technologies, Inc. Air Products Akzo Nobel Polymer Chemical LLC AL Law Group All American Screening & Medical Alpha Technical Services Amegy Bank American Acryl Andrews Myers, PC Apache Oil Company Argosy Transportation Group Arkema Inc. Armand Bayou Nature Center Association of Bayport Companies AT&T August Companies Automation & Integration Specialist B.J. Superior, Inc. B2BCFO Barbara Walling Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership Bay Group Media Baytown/West Chambers Economic Development BB&T Branch Banking & Trust Company BBVA Compass Bank Beacon Federal Credit Union Belt Harris Pechacek, LLLP Bendel Tank & Heat Exchanger BGE BIC Alliance Blasingame-Whitley Attorneys at Law Brady Chapman Holland and Assoc.

Bryant Enterprises Capital Bank Capital Idea Houston Cenikor Foundation Channel Biorefinery & Terminals, LLC Cherry Demolition Chevron Phillips Choice Energy Services Cintas CMEF Comcast Comerica Bank Community Bank of Texas Core Trucking of Texas Corporate Memory Solutions Cummings Westlake LLC D&C Inspection Services Dannenbaum Engineering DeLane’s Ad Specialties Delsol Renewables Denbury Resources Inc. Dianal America, Inc. Dimension Energy Services, LLC Dixie Chemical East Houston Regional Medical Center Economic Incentive Services, LLC Ecosystem Renewal, LLC Energy Edge Consulting England & Company Equipment Depot Exel Logistics First Tennessee Bank

*Stakeholder members in bold.

Fishbone Safety Solutions Flint Hill Resources Freese and Nichols Frost Bank Galveston Bay Foundation GHD GKDA Great Western Valve Greater Houston Natural Gas Vehicle Alliance Greater Houston Partnership Green Bank Greens Bayou Corridor Coalition Gulf Coast Waste Disposal Authority Gulf Winds International, Inc. Gulfex, LP Gulfwest Waste Solutions H+M Industrial EPC Haldor Topsoe,Inc. Ham, Langston & Brezina, LLP HDR Engineering, Inc. Hilton NASA Clear Lake Houston Gulf Coast Building & Construction Houston Marriott South Houston Pilots Association Houston Yacht Club HTS, Inc. Hunter Buildings & Manufacturing HydroChem LLC IberiaBank IBEW, Local 66 IBI Group IDS Engineering Group ILA #1351 Industrial Packaging System Infinity Construction Services, LP Innovative Alternatives, Inc. iProcess Data Systems, LLC ISTC J. Simmons Group John Manlove Marketing & Communications JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA. JSC Federal Credit Union Kaneka North America LLC Kiewit Energy Group & TIC Group Kinder Morgan Knudson LP La Porte Education Foundation Les Ellard Insurance Agency, Inc. LJA Engineering Lubrizol Main Event Entertainment McDonough Engineering Corporation Meador Staffing Services Metropolitan Commercial Finance Mobil Steel International Monument Chemical Moody National Bank Mosher Seifert & Company, CPA Munro’s NA Industries National Property Holdings Neighborhood Centers Inc. Nissan Chemical Houston Corp Noltex, LLC OCTG, LLP Oxyvinyls

Palms Banquet & Event Center Pannell Kerr Forster of Texas, P.C. Parkway Chevrolet Pfeiffer and Son,Ltd. Phelps State Farm Insurance Pollution Systems Port Terminal Railroad Association Priority Power Management, LLC Qualified Properties, Inc. Raba Kistner Consultants Regions Bank Richard Industrial Group Richardson Stevedoring & Logistics Roberts Markel Weinberg Butler Hailey P.C. RUS Industrial San Jacinto Family YMCA San Jacinto River and Rail SETECH Shafaii Party and Reception Center Inc. Shell Federal Credit Union Sol Bobst Solvay South Atlantic & Gulf Coast District ILA Southwest Shipyards, L.P. Springhill Suites by Marriott - Baytown Springhill Suites by Marriott - Seabrook Sprint Waste Services, L.P. Star Fleet Star of Hope STG Design Stockstill & Associates Structure Tone Southwest T & T Construction, LP Taylor Marine Construction TC Global Commercial Real Estate TDS - Training & Development Systems Inc. Teadit North America Tech Trans International Terracon Consultants, Inc. Texas Industrial Medical Texas Lawn & Sprinkler Texas Molecular Limited Partnership Texas Southern University The Drake Companies The Mondello Group The Mundy Companies The Royal Group at Merrill Lynch Titan Companies Tolunay-Wong Engineers,Inc. Tower Tech Inc. TPC Group Trustmark National Bank United Way of Greater Baytown Area & Chamber County University of Houston-Clear Lake vcfo Vesco Office Services Wade Carter-NAI Partners Walter P.Moore Welcome Group, LLC West Gulf Maritime Association Wilhelmsen Ships Services Winkler Public Relations Workforce Solutions XTL, Inc.

203 Ivy Avenue, Suite 200 Deer Park, TX 77536 281-476-9176