INSIDE
Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce INDUSTRY SHOW: Aug. 2, 2023
JOE TANT
GPACC economic growth...............................4
TRAVIS WOODS
Golden Triangle development on fire............6
ELTON HOLLIS
Blazing a Trail for Local Contractors.............9
LOOKING BACK AT 2023
Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce building on success......................................15
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A view of the industry show from above in 2022. The event, billed as “a trade show for contractors to meet industry leaders,” featured more than 110 companies from across the area and brought in more than 875 guests.
Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce’s role in economic growth
With over $219 Billion Dollars in regional investments that are ongoing or on the horizon, your Chamber of Commerce plays a vital role in promoting economic growth in Southeast Texas, serving as a key advocate for local businesses and fostering a conducive environment for commerce and industry. By facilitating connections among businesses, government entities, and community organizations, the Chamber drives collaborative efforts to enhance the region’s economic landscape. It focuses on attracting new investments, supporting small businesses, and championing workforce development initiatives to ensure a skilled and competitive labor force.
Your Chamber’s initiatives include organizing networking events, providing educational resources, and advocating for infrastructure improvements that benefit the business community. With a strong emphasis on leveraging the region’s strategic assets, particularly in the energy sector, the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce is committed to sustaining and accelerating economic growth, thereby enhancing the overall quality of life in Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana.
— Joe Tant, President and CEO,Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce
We’re in one of the hottest project markets in the U.S. today
Hello folks,
I am Travis Woods, chairman of the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce Contractors group.
I want to thank you for attending our Contractors Expo this year. Looks like another sold out event and yes, it is 2024. If this is your first time to be with us, we are so excited that you are here.
We really appreciate Joe Tant and his team for putting this event together this year.
August came around this year mighty quick.
So far, the year has been great for all businesses large and small alike.
Several of our large projects have moved to the field such as Chevron, Golden Triangle Polymers, Port Arthur LNG, Cheniere is looking at the new work coming down the line, OCI is on a roll along with Linde next door. And, a new 10 billion dollars worth of pipelines are headed this way.
Our Contractor’s group has continued to grow thanks to all of you. Our attendance has been steady to draw in over 200 folks at each of our meetings.
We set an attendance record of 300 folks when we brought in Port Arthur LNG, Bechtel and Golden Triangle Polymers. Everyone was ready to hear the good information that they had for us. It was a great meeting.
This is one of the hottest regions in the US today as far as expansions and new
-Richard L. Ratliff
work kicking off.
From Beaumont to Lake Charles down to Cameron back to Port Arthur, we have a record 219 billion in new work that is breaking loose.
The Pause was lifted in the LNG world and we are really excited about that.
We appreciate our Industry leaders for being at our expo this year, and sharing their incite on what the tremendous future looks like in this region.
For the next 10 years, hang on to your hat. No more talk, the boom is here.
Mary Meaux/The News
Gary Chetoni, left, with Hotard Coaches, speaks with Travis Woods at the 2022 event.
Blazing A Trail For Local Contractors
The Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce team has been blazing a trail when it comes to being an effective resource for local contractors. This 2024 Industry Show is a perfect example of being proactive and diligent with their efforts. It is one of the best examples I’ve seen of providing contractors and businesses with an effective and purposeful opportunity to interface with our industry partners such as refineries, chemical and LNG plants. Not only do they have them there for you to speak with, but they also have the most effective client representatives there on hand.
Every great project brings greater local opportunities
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Natalie Picazo/The News
Tammy Kotzur, executive director with the Port Arthur Convention and Visitors Bureau, works her booth at the 2023 industry show.
Industry Show impact growing
By Mary Meaux mary.meaux@panews.com
Mason Construction is a part of many large industrial projects in the area, from the Valero Diamond Green Diesel Project, as well as efforts at Motiva and ExxonMobil.
On Wednesday, Mason Construction Vice President Le Short was one of 114 businesses represented at the 2023 Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce Industry Show at the Bob Bowers Civic Center.
Short said the event offers involvement with contractors and employees coming from all over the area.
He said by taking part in the event the company is showing support to the
Mary Meaux/The News
Joe Tant, left, and Travis Woods speak with Mason Construction Vice President Le Short during the 2023 Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce Industry Show Wednesday at the Bob Bowers Civic Center.
community in the industry.
“We’ve been here for 84 years in this area, fourth generation, this is who we’re here to support,” Short said. “And you’ve got a lot of ownership involvement that we partner with on a day-to-day basis, as well as all of the contractors — anything we can do to support each other and to build this industry.”
Michael Pena and Johnny Saavedra of AMF Engineering Custom Fabrication stopped to talk with Darren Zeringue, operations manager with APP, to see what services APP offers.
Zeringue later explained the company builds pipes, supports and any kind of small structures, as well as Tico products, and different types of pipe shoes.
Taking part in the industry show allows APP a chance to get a better feel for business opportunities.
Companies taking part in the industry show had visuals at their booths to showcase their work and products. Coastal Welding Supply Specialty Gas was no exception.
Welding hoods, various DeWalt brand tools and more were on their table.
Brent Brandin explained
the benefits of being in the show.
“To connect with the community and all the industry coming in, the new businesses and the old businesses,” Brandin said.
Coastal Welding works in all of the local refineries as well as fab shows and even sodas and beverages.
Not all companies represented at the show were the typical industrial contractors. Ronnie Smith with Bill Clark Pest Control was on hand to provide information on their services, saying they do work in industrial sites
and like taking part in the event.
The Industrial Safety Training Council, or ISTC, a 501c3 nonprofit organization that supports the petrochemical and refining industry, Kimberly Tyson said. ISTC provides training that is required for contractors to get into facilities.
“We have a robust distance learning platform that we rolled out in 2019, I believe, and with that anybody can take training anywhere in the world with an internet connection so they don’t have to come to the facility,” Tyson said.
Natalie Picazo/The News
Sarah Havard, left, with Jordan Lloyd and Natalie Presley with Apache Industrial at the 2023 Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce Industry Show at the Bob Bowers Civic Center.
Natalie Picazo/The News
David McBride,left, and Brent Brandin work their booth for Coastal Welding Supply, Inc. at the 2023 industry show.
Natalie Picazo/The News
Lacey Fregia is working the booth for Mid County Land Co. at the 2023 Great Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce Industry Show.
with HPP pose for a picture during a break at the 2023 Greater Port Arthur Chamber
Natalie Picazo/The News
Sheila Ware, left, and Leah Guillotte-Stark
of Commerce Industry Show.
Across the United States and Canada, Brock serves diverse industries, including petrochemical, refining, power generation, o shore, heavy manufacturing, pipelines and transmission, nuclear, and pulp and paper. We provide our customers with solutions for sca olding, painting, insulating, shoring, lead and asbestos abatement, fireproofing, facilities maintenance, and fabrication.
We are a local, family and majority woman owned business. Our distinguished safety record stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence. At the heart of our operation lies a paramount dedication to prioritizing customer service above all. Coastal is actively engaged in the community and derive immense satisfaction from our role within it. We are enthusiastic about the ongoing local development and look forward to the opportunity to grow alongside our esteemed industry partners.
