Golden Triangle Days in Austin was a tremendous success with over 300 local business leaders from the Orange, Beaumont and Port Arthur chambers of commerce attending. As always, these types of events would not be possible without the tremendous support from our sponsors and members.

Feb. 12 was a day of legislative sessions and networking between our delegates and elected officials. In 2021, Beaumont will be the lead chamber and Bill Allen is already planning for another successful Golden Triangle Days in Austin.

The Port Arthur Chamber returned to the office and begin planning events for the rest of 2019. The Golden Pass Golf Tournament hosted by the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce Hispanic Business Council is scheduled for May 10 at an area golf course. Our goal will be to host 36 teams for a morning of golf and fun.

There are discussions with McDermott, Zakary and Golden Pass to find and qualify area employees and contractors to take advantage of the $12-billion Golden Pass LNG construction project. It is to the benefit of all local contractors and industries to get our area residents ready to work.

There is a shortage of skilled employees in our area as well as all of Texas. Lamar State College-Port Arthur, the Port Arthur Economic Development Corp., Texas Workforce and the chamber are joining ranks to help get everyone that wishes to work working.

The chamber will continue to host our Contractors Business Networking Group, Leadership Breakfasts and Luncheons to enable our members to meet and mingle with our industrial neighbors that are planning new and expanding projects.

At the February board meeting the directors received a report indicating the Port Arthur Education Foundation had been the conduit through which $1.3 million flowed to Port Arthur Independent School District, Lamar State College Port Arthur and Sabine Pass ISD in the last 12 months. This money came from our local industries to be used to repair and make safe buildings, increase job training and offer scholarships to students from our local schools. This group continues to elevate the local support needed by our education partners to continue bettering our education system.

The chamber also received notice that funding for the redesign of the Highway 73 and Highway 69 cloverleaf has been approved. TXDot is already working on the design by meeting with stakeholders to address the problems of this redesign. This dangerous interchange has been on the chamber’s transportation plan for several years. Ron Arceneaux chairs the Transportation Committee. Hopefully, work will begin in 2020.

Another of our “wish list” projects, increased lighting along Highway 69 between Highway 73 and Highway 365, has begun. The concrete bases have been poured and the giant light poles are resting in the right of way. They will begin installing them by the time you read this column.

The Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce is continuing its long history of working for the economic development of Port Arthur through its Legislative, Transportation and Education Committees. If you wish to be part of this Business Organization call 409-963-1107 and ask for Paige Snyder.

Bill McCoy is president of The Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce.