Local Roundup - page 16

The Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a Ribbon Cutting for the City of Orange’s Cove Recreation Area located at 1220 Dupont Drive in Orange on August 12, 2024.

The project is a collaboration funded in part by a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and donations from Dow Chemical, Chevron Phillips, Saxon Becnel and Sons, and Rogers Lumber.

The city’s efforts to revitalize the area currently include a playscape, a children’s village, swing sets with adaptive equipment, and an informational kiosk that gives a history of the chemical industry in our area. When complete, there will also be a pavilion, sidewalks, parking, and a walking trail for members of the community to enjoy.

The recreation area is along DuPont Drive and was once the site of the old Cove School. The school had been sold to private owners and had been vacant for nearly 30 years. The city bought the property with the specific goal of tearing down the dilapidated school and turning the land into a park.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Galveston District (SWG) and the Gulf Coast Protection District (GCPD) signed a Design Agreement, August 14, 2024, to partner on the design of the Coastal Texas Project (CTX), specifically the Galveston Bay Storm Surge Barrier System and Ecosystem Restoration feature G-28.

Authorized for design and construction by the Water Resources Development Act of 2022, the CTX represents a systemwide risk management strategy for the coastline of Texas, employing multiple lines of defense to reduce the risk of coastal storm surge and to restore degraded coastal ecosystems. The Galveston Bay Storm Surge Barrier System, which includes the Bolivar Roads Gate System, integrates structural and non-structural coastal storm risk management actions to improve the resiliency of coastal communities and the living shoreline. Ecosystem Restoration feature G-28 includes shoreline and island protection along the Gulf Intercoastal Waterway on Bolivar Peninsula to the north shore of West Bay. More information on these features can be found at https://www.coastaltexasproject.com.

In signing the Design Agreement, the GCPD formally takes on the role of non-federal sponsor for the design of these specific features and will be responsible for providing 35% of all design costs. Importantly, following the recent allocation of funding in the Army Civil Works Program FY24 Work Plan, execution of this agreement allows SWG and its partners to move forward with preconstruction engineering and design phase activities.

“The Gulf Coast Protection District is excited to formalize our partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and to kick-start design efforts on the Coastal Texas Project. It is imperative that we initiate design activities on the Galveston Bay Storm Surge Barrier System and quickly push towards initial construction contracts for critically needed beach and dune and shoreline protection projects,” said GCPD President Michel Bechtel.

“Today’s signing marks a major milestone in the journey of securing Texas’s coastline,” said Col. Rhett Blackmon, SWG district commander. “This collaboration with the GCPD advances the essential design work for the Galveston Bay Storm Surge Barrier and ecosystem restoration, which will ensure a stronger, more resilient Texas for future generations.”

While the signing of this agreement marks a critical milestone in the advancement of the Coastal Texas Project, a separate Project Partnership Agreement between USACE and GCPD will later be required to facilitate construction activities. Furthermore, a separate Design Agreement and Project Partnership Agreement will also be required between USACE and the Texas General Land Office, who is expected to serve as the non-federal sponsor for the remainder of the Ecosystem Restoration projects, in addition to the South Padre Island Beach Nourishment Project.

The GCPD was created in 2021 by the 87th Texas Legislature to oversee the implementation of an integrated and comprehensive coastal resilience strategy for the upper Texas coast. Specifically, this includes assuming the role of non-federal sponsor for major portions of the federally funded and USACE led Coastal Texas Project and Sabine Pass to Galveston Bay Project. The GCPD contains approximately 5,220 square miles of land covering Chambers, Galveston, Harris, Jefferson, and Orange counties.

The Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially mark the opening of the new WhiteWater Express Car Wash on August 8, 2024.

To celebrate the grand opening, the WhiteWater Express Team was joined by City of Orange representatives, Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce board members, and members of the community.

Located at 3122 N. 16th Street, WhiteWater’s professional staff provides high-quality car wash services, including high-intensity tri-foam polish, wheel cleaning, rain repellant, tire shine, flash dry, and more, plus free vacuums.

Their business hours are Monday – Sunday from 7:30 am – 8:00 pm.

For more information about hours, location, and services, contact WhiteWater Express at 409-291-5446 or visit their Facebook page or their website here.

For information about employment opportunities at the WhiteWater Express Car Wash in Orange, please contact them at 409-291-5446 or visit their website here.

H.B. Neild Construction expanded its reach in Southeast Texas and beyond by welcoming the community to the grand opening of its Orange County location.

The new facility sits on nearly 2 acres and includes an 8,000-square-feet main office and warehouse. There is also a 2,100-square-feet equipment bay and secondary warehouse.

At capacity, the location is going to employ a dozen professionals and serve as an Orange County hub for H.B. Neild services within its construction, plumbing and HVAC departments.

The Orange County office is located at 18770 Highway 62 South, just north of Bridge City near the intersection with Highway 105 (Orangefield Road).

Company President Thomas Neild Sr. said the decision to open an office in Orange County is deeply rooted in H.B. Neild’s commitment to the local community.

“We have many team members who live in the area, and we feel a strong responsibility to support the growth of Orange County businesses and residents,” he said. “By creating job growth, career opportunities, a tax base, and investing in the area, we aim to provide a generational reason for residents to stay in Orange County.”

H.B. Neild Construction has been in operation since 1932 with a main office at 8595 Industrial Parkway in Beaumont.

The firm specializes in large-scale commercial and industrial construction projects, including blast-resistant structures, laboratories and administration buildings for petrochemical clients, as well as municipal buildings, schools, churches, and retail buildings for commercial clients.

Having a location in Orange means better serving existing clientele, supporting the local community’s needs and efforts, and helping them fulfill their goals, Neild stressed.

“Essential personnel from our general services, plumbing, and HVAC divisions will be officed at this Orange County location,” he said.  “We are most excited about the chance to support Orange in their own backyard with local response and local manpower. We are the longest-standing family-owned, 4-generation construction company in Southeast Texas and have roots in Orange County. We can’t imagine not investing in Orange and becoming a stakeholder in the community we serve.”

Todd Langston is a Mauriceville native and near-decade long employee with H.B. Neild Construction.

So it came natural for the firm’s vice president of operations to welcome the community to the Orange County ribbon cutting.

“We’ve got about 100 team members on staff, and you will see a lot of those guys with their trucks driving around,” he said. “They are doing a lot of work in the commercial world, but a lot of what we do that you don’t get to see is in the industrial market. Our first industrial job back in the 1940s was clearing land for Dupont in Orange with teams of mules. We’re not new to Orange.”

Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce President Ida Schossow stressed to the packed house at Tuesday’s ribbon cutting that H.B. Neild Construction is a committed Orange County partner.

“They have been here for a long time; they just put a building here, which we are very grateful for and I know the whole town is, as well,” Schossow said. “We appreciate you doing that. We appreciate your investment in our community and we’re all here to help you in any way we can.”

For more information, call 409-842-2272 or visit their Facebook page.

Leighton McBroom, a 10-year-old from Vidor, Texas, has been crowned the National United Little Miss 2024-2025. Leighton earned this prestigious title on July 13th and will proudly represent the International United Miss organization throughout the coming year.

McBroom came to the pageant as a representative of Texas and left with a national title, showcasing her grace, poise, and commitment to making a positive impact in her community. Her personal platform, “Tiny but Mighty,” encourages young children to get involved in community service, proving that no act is too small to make a difference.

Despite her young age, McBroom has already made significant contributions to her community. She volunteers with Fishers of Men, the VA Clinic, and local nursing homes, demonstrating her dedication to helping others. In addition to her volunteer work, Leighton has been dancing in The Nutcracker for the past three years, showcasing her talent and passion for the performing arts.

In her free time, she enjoys cooking for her family, a hobby that has inspired her to pursue a future career as a chef. Her culinary skills are just another way she shows her love and care for those around her.

McBroom’s achievement as National United Little Miss highlights her outstanding qualities and her dedication to community service. She embodies the values of the International United Miss organization and is poised to inspire others with her enthusiasm and commitment throughout her reign.