Chamber Express - November 2022 Edition

Ready. Set. Shop!

We’re gearing up for another holiday season!

This holiday season the Texas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce will start celebrating all its businesses in a new way. Start ing Friday, Nov. 25, the Chamber will be accepting receipts to be traded in for raffle tickets. This ini tiative is part of the Holiday Shop Local campaign “Ready. Set. Shop!”

From Thursday, Nov. 25 until Wednesday, Dec. 7, the Chamber will be accepting receipts from purchases made at local Chamber member businesses. This initiative will not only help to stimulate the local economy but also offer a $500 reward certificate to the raffle winner for spending his or

her money locally. The money we keep here circulates again and again through the local economy, leveraging itself through business growth, job creation, lower taxes, public services, civic pride — a better life for everyone!

The winning ticket will be drawn on Dec. 8 at the TCLM Chamber Christmas Open House. That $500 certificate can then go back in the local economy by using it at a Chamber member business. Win–Win!

For more information on the “Ready. Set. Shop!” program or to request advertising materials for your Chamber business, call Lauren Kaiser at 409-935-1408 or email Lauren@TCLMchamber.com.

The official publication of the Texas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce

STAFF UPDATE

Chamber Names New Vice President Stefanie Aldrich

The Texas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce has announced the promotion of Stefanie Aldrich to Vice President. “Stefanie has brought tremendous value to the Chamber since joining the Chamber staff,” said Texas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce Interim President, Jenny Senter. “She is innova tive, creative and has been instrumen tal in the Chamber’s many successful programs.”

A native Texas City resident, Aldrich brought more than 12 years of expe rience in event creation and admin istration. While working as Regional Manager of Women of Faith, she imple

mented sales techniques and ideas that moved her team to new calibers and heights. She is skilled at public speak ing, leadership training and team-build ing. She also has more than seven years of experience operating her small business that provided consulting, stra tegic planning, brand building, book launches and live events.

In her new role, Aldrich will play a key role in long-range planning, staff supervision and financial operations of the Chamber, in addition to continuing to oversee operations, events, spon sorships and more. Congratulations, Stefanie!

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Springhill Suites by Marriott 13202 Outlet Blvd. Texas City, TX 77591 832-820-8750

Representative: Brenda Mooney brenda.marriott@icahotels.com www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/ houst-springhill-suites-texas-city Hotel/Motel

Adobe 345 Park Ave. San Jose, CA 95110 408-753-5826

Representative: Alexandria Haslam cit46532@adobe.com

Graphics/Digital Imaging

LoneStar Dirt Work and Construction

902 N. Logan St. Texas City, TX 77590 409-945-9468

Pastor- Jeremy Stangle jpstangle@gmail.com Excavation/Construction

Santana’s By The Bay

622 Sixth Steet N. Texas City, TX 77590 281-623-7575

Representative: Brandon Santana icooltowers.com Industrial Services

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

The Power of Sisterhood

The Women in Business net working group met Oct. 20 and heard from guest speak er Pam Mitchael, Marketing Consul tant of General Motors.

The theme was “The Power of Sisterhood!” and was sponsored by Eastman. Mitchael shared the importance of “sisterhood” and how valuable close-knit groups of friends are to our lives. Some women had the chance to share their experi ence with the power that sisterhood holds.

The next Women in Business event will be the Holiday Season Kick-off Luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 10 at Grotto Ristorante at the San Luis Resort, sponsored by Valero. Find full details online at the Chamber website, www.TCLMChamber.com.

LEADERSHIP MAINLAND EMPLOYEE RETENTION CREDIT

Leadership Mainland focused on small businesses at its October session. The group departed for A&A Machine and Fabrication where they heard from C. Alan Hutchins, President and CEO. They also were given a tour of the A&A Machine and Fabrications facility.

The group enjoyed a lunch at Bar cenas Mexican restaurant, where they heard a presentation from Shawn Bailey, President and CEO of AMOCO Federal Credit Union. To learn more about the small businesses in the area, Leadership Mainland also visited Joe’s Country Store, where they heard about the history of the company. They also were given a tour of the facility and grounds of the store.

Thank you to all who inspired and motivated the Leadership Mainland Class of 2022 at this exciting ses sion. The next class forms in January. Contact the Chamber office at 409934-1408 for details about how to get involved in the 2023 Leadership Main land class.

Dear Chamber Members, There is an opportunity that I want you to know about. If you have an accountant and already have applied for and received the Employee Retention Credit, then good for you. But, if you applied for ERC and were turned down, or have been so overwhelmed with running your business and the paperwork involved that your business hasn’t even applied - you need to read this. Many businesses originally were turned down for this, but since that ini tial rollout, the criteria has changed.

Your company can possibly receive from $5,000 to $26,000 per employee, depending on the areas you qualify. You can receive the funds for any W2 em ployee, other than the owner and his/her family, that you retained from 2020 and 2021. This applies even if you have less than five employees! This is a refundable tax credit, not a loan — so you don’t have to pay it back.

There will be an informational presentation on ERC at 10 a.m. on Nov. 17 that you can access remotely (we will send out the Zoom info closer to the date), or you can join our office staff at the Chamber to view this presentation in our board room. The presentation will be made by Bob Phillips, with ERC Specialists. At the very least, contact your accountant or any of our accountant member businesses to see what you can receive.

have questions. And please, watch your email for link information. Onward and Upward!

Jenny Senter Interim President/CEO

LA MARQUE BAYOU FEST

Bayou Fest was held Oct. 15 at Mac McGaffey Highland Bayou Park in La Marque. Locals enjoyed family-friendly activities, including a barbecue cook-off, kids que cook-off, mutton bustin’, cornhole tournament, food vendors, craft vendors, live music, a children’s fishing tournament and games and crafts for kids.

BAYOU FEST COOK-OFF WINNERS

Los Primos: Winner of the 2022 Triple Crown, Bayou Fest Cook-off Overall Winner and First Place in the Beef Brisket Division

DropTine Smokers: Bayou Fest Runner-Up Overall Winner

High Pressure Cookers: First Place in the Chicken Division

Ace in the Hole Cookers: First Place in the Pulled Pork Division

Whiskey Bent Cookers: First Place in the Pork Spare Rib Division

NIGHT ON THE TOWN

The Texas City Museum was the site for an amazing af ter-hours mixer Oct. 27. A great crowd of community members and elected officials attended to net work and have fun. Dozens of guests enjoyed the event with delicious ap petizers and cold drinks. Thank you to Valero Refinery for hosting this wonderful event. Everyone enjoyed

being down on 6th Street!

The next Night on the Town will be held on Nov. 10 at United Way Galveston County, sponsored by East man. It will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., and it is free to attend for Chamber members and their employ ees.

Find more details online at TCLM chamber.com under “Events.”

BUSINESS OF THE MONTH

AMOCO Federal Credit Union

2300 Texas Ave. Texas City, TX 77590 409-948-8541

First chartered in 1937, AMOCO Federal Credit Union has grown from $28,000 in assets and 170 members to more than $1.2 billion in assets and close to 100,000 members.

In 1998, Amoco Federal Credit Union made a choice to keep its name the same because it represented stabili ty and familiarity in the community. Hence, the board and management de cided to make only one minor change.

The “Amoco” name was changed to represent an acronym, making it AMO CO - A Member Owned Cooperative Organization.

Recognized as one of the largest credit unions in the Houston and Gal veston areas, AMOCO Federal Credit Union continues to grow in large part to the satisfaction and loyalty of members and the commitment of its volunteers and staff. AMOCO Federal Credit Union has expanded to serve

2.5 million consumers with a wide geographical footprint, and is open to everyone who lives, works, worships, attends school or frequently does business within one of the 477 census tracts in Texas.

For 85 years, AMOCO Federal Credit Union has taken pride in embodying the fundamental philosophy of People Helping People that all credit unions are founded. The credit union is com mitted to its mission and making a difference in the local community.

AMOCO Federal Credit Union loves its community and strives to make a difference by giving back. The credit union donates thousands of hours and dollars to hundreds of local businesses, nonprofits and organizations to help make the community strong. AMOCO’s mission is to serve the financial needs of its members.

MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS

A big THANK YOU to these businesses for their longstanding support of the chamber and this community. Renewals from Sept. 13 to Oct. 21.

Company Years Since Join Date Company Years Since Join Date

Grand Prize Barbeque 34

AltairStrickland ....................................... 30 Edward Jones InvestmentsSteven Callaway ..................................... 29 City of Texas CityEconomic Devel. Corp. 29 Wolfenson Electric ................................ 29 Southwest Galvanizing 27 Scribbles USA .......................................... 26 HomeTown Properties ......................... 25 United Rentals ........................................ 25 Galveston County Small Business Development Center 23 Mejia Industrial Supply Company ... 17 Arcosa Stabilized & Recycling 16 Innovative Turnaround Controls ...... 15 The Post Newspaper............................. 12 C. Johnnie on the Spot West Bay 11 The Shooter’s Corner .............................. 9 Farmers Copper Ltd. 8 LifeStyle Financial Advisors, Inc.......... 7 Health and Safety Council - HASC ..... 6 Catalon at Lago Mar ............................... 6 True Courage ............................................. 6 Middleton Oil Company 6 Catalon at Lago Mar ............................... 6

SMART Family Literacy 5

Martin Designs 76 5

Glass & Glazing ......................................... 4

Gracey Insurance 4

Industrial Apparatus Services ............. 4 Grant Mackay

Demolition Company ............................ 4

The G Spot.................................................. 4

Refresqueria 4

Joiner Architects, Inc. ............................. 4

Tello Smiles ................................................ 3

Bay Area Turning Point .......................... 3

Envirogyn ................................................... 2

Secured Inspections 2

Pier 6 Seafood & Oysters ....................... 2

Zann Commercial Brokerage, Inc. 1

TT&T Real Estate Service ....................... 1

NerdsToGo Computer Service ............ 1

Choice Analytical Inc. ............................. 1

City Electric Supply ................................. 1

Hempel (USA) Inc. 1

Energy Rental Solutions - CAT............. 1

Baumgartner Law Firm

Houston Personal Injury Lawyers ...... 1

Gulf Coast Transit District ..................... 1

Meals on Wheels Galveston County 1

Grease Monkey......................................... 1

Zel’s Massage & Fitness Zone 1

2022 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ron Assad, CHAIRMAN

Gallant Industrial

Ramiro Barba, SECRETARY

Port of Texas City

Georgia Barzilay, PAST CHAIR

Karat Creations Jewelry

Jon Branson

Texas City Economic Development

James Brumley, VICE CHAIR

Oiltanking-Texas City, L.P.

Jay Carnes

Carnes Funeral Home

Desoto Clark

ROBCO Services

Shane Day

Kodiak Metals Recycling

Richard Devries

Standard Steel Supply

Shannon Doyle Osborn

VICE CHAIR, South Land Title

Dr. Melissa Duarte

Texas City I.S.D.

Lavelle Edmonson Marathon Petroleum

Harry

Alex Getty

La Marque Economic Development

Alan

April Jones

Cory Moss

Valero

Dr. Warren Nichols, CHAIR ELECT

College of the Mainland

Jason Pollard

Grand Prize Barbeque

Phil Roberts

Roberts, Johnson & Cain

Jim Russell

HCA Houston Healthcare Mainland

Bob Senter

Texas First Insurance

Caitlin

Shane Long BWC Terminals

Mandie

Mike Meyer, TREASURER

Ashland

Frank Mistretta

Sonny Tholcken

Trey Industries

Candice Towles

Texas First Bank

Andy Venables

Eastman

Christine Wade

UTMB Health

Cathie Woitena

Associated Credit Union of Texas

Chamber Staff

Jenny Senter, Interim President/CEO

Stefanie Aldrich, Vice President

Lauren Kaiser, Operations Manager

Marielle Gomez, Communications & Promotions Coordinator

Bianca Jenson, Member Services Manager

Chamber Mission

To serve members and enhance economic and community development.

Chamber Vision

To be recognized as a vital resource, providing relevant, innovative and impactful programming that produces a healthy business climate and an enhanced quality of life.

Chamber Express Newsletter

The publication of the Texas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce is published monthly (second Sunday of the month). Some content and photos provided as a courtesy by The Galveston County Daily News.

Texas City-La Marque

Chamber of Commerce 9702 E.F. Lowry Expressway Texas City, TX 77590 409-935-1408 www.TCLMchamber.com