Orange Living Magazine Volume 2 2023

MAJOR PROJECTS, COMMUNITY INVESTMENTS & LOCAL EDUCATION

CREATE OPPORTUNITY

“Our

their dreams.”

Stacey Brister, Superintendent

INSIDE

Volume 2 of 2023

PUBLISHER’S COLUMN

A breakdown of what’s been announced locally.......................4

ORANGE COUNTY EDC

Orange County Economic Development Corporation leaders talk about the future...10

CITY OF ORANGE

Municipal EDC responding to boom of new business.............15

ENTERGY TEXAS

New power station under construction in Orange County....23

O range L iving

THE SCENE

Art in the Park fun takes place at same time as a car show and honorary parade for boxing champion.................................28

ON THE COVER — The cover features our spotlight column and overall theme of economic development in Orange County. The picture is an overhead shot of the Golden Triangle Polymers plant, which started construction this year. Covered in this edition. (Courtesy photo, design by Candace Hemelt)

Publisher: STEPHEN HEMELT

Contributors: DAN BLEDSOE MONIQUE BATSON

Photography: RANDY STRONG MONIQUE BATSON orangeleader.com

Designer: STEPHEN HEMELT

Contact Information: ORANGE NEWSMEDIA, LLC PO BOX 1089 ORANGE, TX 77631

Advertising Inquiries: CLARK MARSHALL 409-883-3573

CANDACE HEMELT 409-721-2400

Subscriptions: 409-883-3571

From the publisher’s desk:

Orange County “Progress” deserves our Spotlight

Governor Greg Abbott and high-ranking executives from Entergy Texas were in town April 24 to celebrate construction of the Orange County Advanced Power Station.

Dubbed OCAPS, it is a 1,215-megawatt, combined-cycle power plant capable of powering more than 230,000 homes.

The fact there was such hoopla for the beginning of a major project was nothing new for Orange County, which kicked off 2023 with major planned upgrades across the region and in all sectors of local living.

From small businesses to global corporations, Orange County has welcomed all forms of groundbreakings, ribbon cuttings and meet-and-greets in the last few months.

The best part: It doesn’t seem to be slowing down.

That’s why this Volume 2 of Orange

Living Magazine — spotlighted as our 2023 Progress edition — is so important.

First, let me say, this production would not be possible without the support of dozens of sponsors and advertisers. They are conveniently displayed throughout the following pages, so please consider their businesses and services in the future.

To properly capture just what is taking place in Orange County, lets hear from the leaders and businesses making the investment. Because, let’s be honest, this isn’t charity. These are businesses and organizations looking to find a successful financial home who are choosing Orange County for a reason.

Perhaps the biggest news goes back to Nov. 16, 2022, when Chevron Phillips Chemical and QatarEnergy first announced official plans for an $8.5 billion local construction.

(Courtesy photo)

Ground work is seen taking place at the Orange County site of Golden Triangle Polymers, a projected $8.5 billion local construction effort.

The companies formed a new company — Golden Triangle Polymers — to create and construct an integrated polymers facility, expected to create more than 500 full-time jobs and approximately 4,500 construction jobs while generating an estimated $50 billion for the community in residual economic impacts.

There are six primary construction companies that are contracted to build the Golden Triangle Polymers facility.

“We expect the workforce hired by these employers to create a ripple affect of indirect spending at local businesses of all kinds as they eat,

shop, live and purchase goods and services to draw new retailers and services to the area,” said Bruce Chinn, president and chief executive officer of Chevron Phillips Chemical.

The next move from Golden Triangle Polymers Company was $400,000 in donations creating a community economic and workforce development program called Local First.

The funding goes to Orange County Government and Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas to prioritize the county and Golden Triangle when sourcing suppliers, vendors and workforce for the project.

The LSCPA SBDC is a business advising and training center of the University of Houston Texas Gulf Coast SBDC Network serving 32 counties in Southeast Texas. The SBDC program is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

An online job database created by Workforce Solutions includes available jobs from the project and a list of the primary companies carrying out engineering, procurement and construction.

Workforce Solutions

Southeast Texas is available locally at 2415 N 16th St. in Orange, where job seekers can go for basic screening, online application assistance and referral to local education institutions if additional training or certification is needed.

This all calls for a response from our education sector, whether it’s high school and younger or college and post-college.

(Courtesy photo)

Two crewmembers walk the grounds of the Golden Triangle Polymers site in Orange County.

Lamar State College

Orange celebrated the groundbreaking of the campus’ new $38 million academic building on April 19.

When finished, this 55,000-square-feet building will house academic classrooms, labs and LSCO’s Information Technology Department, among much more. Plus, there is a tight timeline, with hopes to have the venue operational for the fall of 2024.

“It’s a great place to start,” former college president Dr. Mike Shahan said. “There are great facilities, great faculty, lots of personal attention and lots of pluses I think we have over some of the bigger institutions.”

On the younger spectrum there was the March 6 celebration of

the Bridge City Independent School District, which broke ground on a 40,654-square feet career and technical education (CTE) building, which is an addition to the existing high school campus.

The building is part of Bridge City ISD bond propositions passed by

voters in a 2022 election and helps address student enrollment growth.

“Our district is a place that students want to be and where parents want their students. This is a destination school district. We have a lot of great things to offer, and this

is just one more way that we’re going to be able to go above and beyond what surrounding districts are doing for their students.” — superintendent Dr. Mike Kelly said.

These examples and quotes represent just a portion of what is happening in Orange County. That’s why now is the time to spotlight our “Progress,” understand why it is happening and do everything we can to make sure is lasts for years and years.

Stephen Hemelt is president of Orange Newsmedia, which published Orange Living Magazine, orangeleader.com and the Orange Leader. He can be reached at stephen. hemelt@orangeleader. com.

(Tim Cohrs/Special to Orange Living Magazine) Bridge City Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Mike Kelly addresses the crowd at the district’s 2023 groundbreaking.

(Tim Cohrs/Special to Orange Living Magazine)

G&G Enterprises and Claycomb Associates gather for a photo in March at the Bridge City High School CTE building groundbreaking ceremony.

(Photos of Lamar State College Orange) TOP LEFT: Former Lamar State College Orange President Dr. Mike Shahan, left, speaks with the current school president, Dr. Tom Johnson. TOP RIGHT: Johnson is seen with Vidor Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Jay Killgo. AT RIGHT: John Mixon of Durotech is helping lead construction. AT LEFT: A mockup of the Downtown Orange project is pictured.

EYES OF TEXAS ARE ON ORANGE COUNTY IN 2023

Golden Triangle Polymers’ $8.5 billion project was an early Christmas gift. It was worth the wait.

Orange County economic development leaders hailed November’s announcement of a newly integrated polymers facility in Orange County expected to create more than 500 full-time jobs and approximately 4,500 construction jobs and generate an estimated $50 billion for the community in residual economic impacts.

Construction of the Golden Triangle Polymers plant began immediately near Chevron Phillips Chemical’s existing facility in Orange where the company and its predecessors have had a presence in the Orange community since 1955.

“The Orange County EDC has been working on the CPChem project for about seven years,” said Orange County Economic Development Corporation President Michael Stelly. “Steps taken during this time include planning, land acquisition and contract negotiations.

“Through a global pandemic and several other unforeseen delays with

the project, the EDC was able to work through numerous obstacles to help close the deal with CPChem.”

Now in its 20th year, the EDC has grown since it was first formed, and if 2022 was any indication, 2023 will be nothing short of stellar with many unannounced projects coming forward.

“The EDC has been hard at work since the announcement. There are numerous calls each week with questions about the project and how it will impact the county,” Stelly said.

“As we continue to move through the first of the year, we expect to see business interest ramp up.”

Stelly could not comment on what he called “substantial work” due to confidentiality issues with third parties who are burning phone lines and banging on CP’s and the OCEDC’s front door.

“Business opportunities include those interested in starting or expanding their business, or companies moving their business to Orange County to support the mega-project,” he said.

“Orange County is positioned to see unprecedented growth in all sectors ...” -- Orange County EDC Executive Director Megan Romero Layne

(Courtesy photo)

Two crewmembers walk the grounds of the Golden Triangle Polymers site in Orange County.

SWIMLESSONS FORALLAGES YEAR'ROUND!

2023 will be a “transition year,” Stelly said.

Orange County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Megan Romero Layne knows all about transition.

The Little Cypress-Mauriceville High School graduate has a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M in urban and regional planning and served as business development manager before being named executive director in 2022 before the November announcement.

Layne and Stelly proudly said the public should fasten their seat belts.

“Orange County is positioned to see unprecedented growth in all sectors, including residential, education, quality of life and more in 2023 and beyond,” Layne said. “The EDC is already working with several industrial projects, which we hope to land in 2023, and we anticipate more project leads in the coming months.”

Between now and 2026 when the Golden Triangle Polymers project is slated to begin operations, officials say that more than 1,300 homes are slated for residential development. And as has happened in other nearby counties, officials expect an overflow in hotel construction and traffic flow issues.

Layne said that the OCEDC was restructured in 2016 and she sees additional hiring of staff this year.

“Our primary goal is to provide services to assist new and existing businesses expand or relocate to Orange County,” Layne said. “Additionally, we aim to recruit new projects, primarily industrial, to increase the tax base and create jobs.

“Some of the resources we provide are site selection assistance, incentive negotiation in the form of property tax abatements, facilitating workforce and training opportunities, working with the local municipalities in the county to assist their economic development needs and business retention and expansion opportunities.”

Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP announced that Craig Lemons, plant manager at the Orange facility, will be the transition manager of

Golden Triangle Polymers.

Lemons brings decades of experience in the field in Southeast Texas and Qatar, which holds a 49 percent interest of CPChem.

“Chevron Phillips Chemical and QatarEnergy have collaborated for over 20 years on the assets we operate together in Qatar. We have a great relationship and a proven track record of operating these facilities safely and reliably,” said Chevron Phillips Chemical President and CEO Bruce Chinn. “Our products help make life better for billions of people every day, and they are part of a lower carbon future. This facility will help meet the growing demand for our products and improve the quality of life for the world’s growing global population.”

Chinn said CPChem “works hard to be a good neighbor” in the communities where it operates.

“This facility will contribute to the social and economic fabric of the entire Golden Triangle region of Texas, bringing in thousands of high-paying American jobs and billions of dollars in economic impact,” he said. “We care deeply about the community of Orange, and we’re thrilled to be bringing jobs and resources to the region with safety and environmental performance at the forefront, as always.”

— Written by Dan Bledsoe

(Courtesy of Golden Triangle Polymers)

Chevron Phillips Chemical President and CEO Bruce Chinn, speaking at left, was the guest April 18 of the Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce during a community breakfast and speech at The Brown Estate on Park Avenue.

City of Orange’s Economic Development Corporation:

Flurry of new, existing businesses interested in area and seeking financial aid expected to continue

To say business is booming for the City of Orange’s Economic Development Corporation is an understatement.

“The EDC was formed to allow the one-half percent sales tax to be used to create a competitive economic development difference-maker for new projects in the City of Orange, which led to the City Boat Ramp Project and Triangle Press at MLK Drive,” said Jay Trahan, executive director and assistant city manager. “The incentive is targeted for eligible infrastructure items (such as) concrete, storm damage, electrical, plumbing, etc.”

The spend-a dollar-to-make a dollar economic development approach has paid off.

“Since January of 2022, more than $1.3 million has been approved by the Orange Economic Development Corporation to assist local businesses with infrastructure improvements,” said Hillary Gravett, assistant economic development director. “In this time, a total capital investment of projects since January of 2022 is estimated at $15.8 million.”

Some of the projects the EDC approved incentives for include:

• An amount not to exceed $300,000 for infrastructure improvements for Whataburger, 3124 N. 16th Street;

• An amount not to exceed $150,000 for infrastructure improvements for Studio Seventeen, 3735 N. 16th Street, and;

(Courtesy photo)

The City of Orange posted this Monarch Butterfly bench photo in April by City Hall just in time for the Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center Eco-Fest Butterfly Release, which was April 22.

(Courtesy photo)

Pictured Orange Mayor Larry Spears Jr. and city team members Hillary Gravett and Divon William during a city council meeting this year.

We are committed to finding ways to enhance the lives of people in our community. Whether that’s making our environment or our classrooms more accessible – we are working to create a more inclusive and sustainable future.

Dragon Lady Outdoors is a local nonprofit dedicated to creating outdoor adventures for children with special needs. Each event is adapted to meet the needs of each participant, through assistance from volunteers or other modifications. This event offers these children and their families the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors.

We believe in working alongside our local partners like Dragon Lady Outdoors to address the challenges our friends and neighbors are facing. After all, it’s partnerships that power progress. By collectively prioritizing solutions, we can make sustainable progress for our people and our planet.

• An amount not to exceed $19,000 for infrastructure improvements for Robinson Apartments/Robinson Estate, 811 John Ave.

New retail and commercial and residential development were key sectors in 2022, Trahan said.

“2023 began with strong momentum for commercial/ retail projects and multi-family (apartments),” he said. “Concerning the November 2022 announcement of the Golden Triangle Polymers Project, the past two years saw an increase in economic development activity in anticipation of the announcement with 500-plus home under development with a phased approach, which include Little Cypress Grove, The Reserve at Mallard Lakes and Cypresswood Village Residential Phase 2 and WINSOME Apartments (100 units) at 23rd Street.”

(Courtesy photo)

The Orange City Council approved an EDC incentive with Studio 17 for the expenditure of funds for eligible infrastructure improvements at 1700 W. Allie Payne Road in an amount not to exceed $150,000 for the purpose of economic development. Studio 17 has proposed an estimated capital investment of $1,500,000 at the project site.

HOW AN EDC WORKS

In 1979, the state of Texas allowed cities and counties to create an EDC for the purposes of job creation and retention, addressing infrastructure needs, construction of sports facilities and promoting tourism.

Each EDC is required to file an annual report with the Texas Comptroller of Public by April 1.

In 2021, the City of Orange’s EDC annual report listed an unrestricted fund balance or unrestricted retaining earnings of $4,032,578 with $2,310,550 in total revenue and $2,027,250 in expenditures at the end of its fiscal year.

2023 marks the first year that the EDC will set aside 25 percent of future revenue to prepare for economic development growth.

Trahan is the first point of contact for an existing business or potential new business

investor seeking EDC funding.

In January, he updated city council members of the EDC project process.

Those dating relationship steps are:

• Site selector, investment group or developer contacts the EDC

• Non-disclosure agreement is signed

• Review of qualifying items; capital investment, sales tax and property tax revenue increase and whether a proposed project is non-controversial and a good fit

• Questions and an overview of the city; pro-business process, possible incentives, trade and city-area populations, household average income, 16th Street and Highway 62 traffic data, major employers, workforce, square-foot cost per acreage, infrastructure and quality of life events

• Site visits scheduled

• Leads to project

• Line item scope of work

• EDC grant request/grant incentive; this entails working with the city’s finance department, and Closed executive session with the EDC board of directors.

The expected increase in economic development

HARRY’S

Since 1963

prompted the EDC to hire Gravett as Trahan’s assistant in January.

Gravett is an Orange native and a graduate of Orangefield High School.

“I then went on to pursue higher education from Lamar University, where I received a bachelor of business administration in marketing,” she said. “In 2016, I accepted a position with the City of Orange as the social media coordinator.

“During my time as social media coordinator, I implemented a social media presence for City of Orange departments, managed a redesign of the website, assisted in event coordination with the Convention & Visitors Bureau and worked through disaster situations such as hurricanes, flooding, etc.”

— Written by Dan Bledsoe

(Randy Strong/Orange Living Magazine) Mayor Larry Spears Jr. gets an assist during a special presentation honoring WBC junior lightweight champion O’Shaquie “Shock” Foster, Orange native, during a celebration in his honor on April 1.

Mission Statement: The mission of Bridge City Independent School District, an innovative, family/community-supported educational system, is to provide a comprehensive, well-balanced instructional program in a safe learning environment to ensure the development of caring, responsible, productive graduates capable of contributing in a global society.

BRIDGE CITY ISD

Home of the Cardinals

Power for Orange County ... and a whole lot more

Gov. Greg Abbott joined approximately 200 business executives, state and local officials as well as community leaders from multiple counties Monday to celebrate the groundbreaking of a power plant that will combine natural gas and hydrogen to produce enough electricity for 230,000 homes.

Entergy Texas’ Orange County Advanced Power Station received approval from the Public Utility Commission of Texas in November, with construction currently underway.

On Monday, a ceremony was hosted on the property site to formerly announce the intentions and subsequent benefits of the plant.

“It’s no secret that Southeast

Texas is a region on the rise,” said Eli Viamontes, president and CEO of Entergy Texas. “From residential growth to industrial growth, the Gulf Coast remains a popular destination for families and businesses. The addition of the Orange County Advanced Power Station is an essential piece of Entergy Texas work to meeting that growth.”

Viamontes said OCAPS will be equipped with the most fuel-efficient technology on the planet to expand efficiency.

“That increased efficiency directly benefits our customers in the form of fuel savings,” he said. “These fuel cost savings are substantial with over $100 million in savings expected in the first full year of opera-

(Monique Batson/Orange Living Magazine)

A crowd gathers April 24 in Orange County to witness the groundbreaking for the Orange County Advanced Power Station.

(Monique Batson/ Orange Living Magazine)

Gov. Greg Abbott holds up a proclamation issued from the State of Texas to Entergy.

tions. And over its life, we expect (OCAPS) to provide more than a billion dollars in net benefits to our customers.”

Entergy Texas serves 27 counties.

Abbott noted Entergy customers are not on the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) grid, which was the center of a deadly power outage during the winter storms of 2021, ultimately leading to more than 200 deaths.

“Texas needs more electric power,” Abbott said. “It’s very simple. And Entergy is providing it with a true Texas-sized investment.”

OCAPS, he said, is one of six recently announced projects geared at electricity.

“These announcements add up to more than 4,600 new megawatts of…power in Texas,” Abbott said. “That’s going to be enough electricity to power more than 900,000 additional homes.”

In addition, he said Texas has ranked No. 1 in exports for 21 consecutive years with Southeast Texas playing a large part in that number.

“I want to thank Entergy for knowing what a good, strategic investment this is in Southeast Texas,” he said.

Abbott presented Entergy with a proclamation from the State of Texas.

Drew Marsh, chairman and CEO of Entergy Corporation, spoke on the benefits of Southeast Texas.

“There are so many advantages to being right here on the coast in Southeast Texas,” he said. “There is access to national and global markets. There are supportive communities for investment. There is available and skilled workforce.”

OCAPS, which is located just outside of Bridge City, is expected to be in service by mid-2026.

— Written by Monique Batson

(Monique Batson/Orange Living Magazine)

Drew Marsh, chairman and CEO of Entergy Corporation, shakes hands April 24 with Eli Viamontes, president and CEO of Entergy Texas, during their groundbreaking ceremony.

(Courtesy photo)

Entergy Texas released this mock-up of what that Orange County Advanced Power Station under construction would like when completed.

Products that perform, People who care

At Chevron Phillips Chemical, we responsibly manufacture chemicals and polymers the world needs, provide enriching careers and create shareholder value because we care about each other, our customers and our communities. We live by our values of safety, respect, integrity and drive, which enable us to make the petrochemical solutions found in products of all kinds, with purpose, collaboration and care.

Performance by design. Caring by choice.™

Connect with us online www.cpchem.com

Having Weathered Multiple Storms, LCM Looks to a Bright Future

By Elizabeth Ludwig

No one could have predicted in August of 2017 the havoc that would be wrought by the storm lingering over the Gulf. When all was said and done, Hurricane Harvey ranked among the five worst natural disasters in US history. With nearly 60 million in damages, Little Cypress-Mauriceville CISD was one of the school districts most heavily impacted. District personnel were quick to respond, and the work of rebuilding began almost immediately. But then…

Tropical Storm Imelda. Winter storms. Hurricane Laura. Each event seemed a crippling blow to a district already beleaguered by a train derailment and campus fire. These challenges demanded singular vision, one that Superintendent Stacey Brister said District staff leapt to meet.

“We’ve seen incredible progress in the quality of our facilities the last several years,” Brister said. “We weren’t brought to our knees by these disasters. What we saw is people pulling together for our kids and our community.”

For LCM, “pulling together” could be translated as renovated buildings and classrooms, new equipment and desks, improvements to driveways and parking lots, and additions to their transportation fleet.

“We lost a lot,” Brister added. “But in terms of community spirit and pride, we gained a lot more. We’re on the right track now. We’re moving forward. It’s good to see.”

LCM Athletic Director Eric Peevey agrees. “Our district has taken huge strides in making sure we’re giving our students the best opportunity to be successful. There is a definite “buzz” around our community that is being felt through our entire district. The best part though, is we are just getting started!”

This attitude of perseverance under pressure is not new. Changes in science and technology introduced a host of new challenges that educators at LCM viewed as opportunity. They fostered technology driven partnerships, extended the number of dual-enrollment courses offered to students, and created a science and technology rich environment in which students could learn.

“We offer courses in specialized fields of study such as aerospace engineering, computer science, and health sciences,” said Chief Academic Officer Todd Loupe. “We also partner with Lamar University in Beaumont and Lamar State CollegeOrange to offer 91 hours of dual enrollment courses, something no other school in the area does to the same extent.”

Science and technology are not the only areas of focus at LCM. Students can also enroll in courses geared toward agriculture, building trades, cosmetology, foreign languages, arts, veterinary science, and welding, to name just a few. For students wishing to pursue a career in process operations, LCM offers a dual enrollment partnership with Lamar State CollegeOrange by which students can receive up to 30 credit hours in Process Operating Technology.

“Our number one goal is to graduate students who are future ready,” Superintendent Brister said. “We want to equip our students with a strong educational foundation and the skills they need to pursue their dreams.”

All of this points toward a bright future for the stakeholders of LCM, one the District says they hope their students will grasp with both hands.

LCM “Lights it Green” After Victory

Orange THE SCENE Living Magazine

Art, Boxing & PAr Ade

Art in the Park and the Orange Riverfront Car Show joined forces for a day of fun Saturday in Orange.

Art in the Park was held at Stark Park, and the Orange Riverfront Car Show was held on Front Avenue.

This weekend was the 21st annual Art in the Park and 4th annual Orange Riverfront Car Show.

1. Rodney Kellum from Bon Wier enjoys the car show. (Randy Strong/Orange Living Magazine)

(2) Xena Putman, 4, enjoys some fun while (3) Mrs. G. And Lisa Nixon also take part at the park.

4. O’Shaquie “Shock” Foster enjoys the parade.

5. Brittany Harmon and Jimmy Matthews

6. Larry Spears Jr., O’Shaquie “Shock” Foster & Paul Burch

7. Getting in some face time are Nora Milligan, Rowan Milligan and Evelynn Milligan

8. Brisco Lake’s Curley Landry performs for festival attendees.