Battered But Back, Community Advisory Council Returns

By Brandon C. Williams

The Post Newspaper Editor

Battered and altered, the Texas City-La Marque Community Advisory Council returned to Texas City’s Showboat on Thursday for the first time since January of 2020, marking its initial post-pandemic meeting.

The highlight of the meeting was an update on the Texas City-based ammonia plant, a project led by Air Products, yet also includes Eastman Chemical, Gulf Coast Ammonia and Oiltanking. The project will have over 1,000 construction workers at its peak, along with providing over 40 permanent jobs. Construction will begin in earnest later this year, with a target of early 2023. 

Overall, the project is expected to cost approximately $1 billion.

Among other updates:

Valero announced an industry-wide vaccination drive that will begin next week as part of a partnership with the City of Texas City. The company recently graduated 17 new operators, with the next graduation class expected to begin with Valero in the early portion of 2022.

Ashland recently celebrated a huge milestone, as the company has gone more than two years without an onsite accident.

Marathon successfully pulled off not one, but two turnarounds during the peak of the pandemic. The door is open at the company, which is continuing to hire new talent. As of last week, Marathon is in full operation.

College of the Mainland President Dr. Warren Nichols announced that the school’s new STEAM Building and Administration Building are open. The projects are the first two which came from the successful bond effort in the 2018 elections. COM also has 11 new programs that will enable students to launch new careers as early as three weeks and up to six months. The school will also supplement students who continue to stay in the program.

Roberts, Johnson & Cain will celebrate its 50th year of law in Texas City later this year.

The next TCLMCAC will be held on July 22 at the Texas City Showboat, with the focus being an update on the quality of the area’s air.