Port of Beaumont Newsletter

Deputy Port Director Bill Carpenter to retire after 40 years of service with the Port of Beaumont

After forty years with the Port of Beaumont, Deputy Port Director Bill Carpenter will retire in January 2019. Bill was hired in September 1978 as the office manager for the Operations Department. Soon after, he was promoted to dock superintendent, followed by operations manager and later to director of operations before being named deputy port director in 2002.

Bill has played an integral role in the success the Port has realized over the last four decades and many of the economically significant, job-creating projects the Port has completed over the years were spearheaded by his efforts.

Please join us in congratulating Bill on his retirement!

Port prepares to build $79 million general cargo dock

The Economic Development Administration recently announced the award of a $5 million grant to the Port of Beaumont for Phase I of the Main Street Terminal 1 dock rebuild. The new, state-of-the-art dock will replace the dilapidated wharf structure that was built in the early 1900s and failed in 2011.

Main Street Terminal 1- Phase I includes the construction of a steel sheet pile bulkhead, which sets the stage for construction of the new dock. The steel sheet pile bulkhead will be approximately 1,300 feet in overall length. In constructing a dock of this nature the bulkhead, a sheet pile wall that holds the bank in place, must be built first. Once the bulkhead is in place, the dock can be constructed on top of the bulkhead (Phase II). The bulkhead construction is anticipated to take approximately eight months to complete and will go to bid in January 2019.

Future plans include the demolition of the dilapidated dock structure, construction of the new dock, and construction of a new, 200,000 square foot transit shed to accommodate new and existing business.

Allegiant Industrial Island Park Campus a key contributor to economic growth in Southeast Texas

Allegiant Industrial Island Park, LLC, the Port of Beaumont’s newest partner, has made a tremendous impact on the local economy through philanthropic contributions, job creation, and other economic development initiatives in the five months they have been in operation. The priority of the Allegiant Industrial Island Park Campus has been and will continue to be, to have a positive impact on the communities in which they operate, as evidenced by the creation of 140 full-time positions as of December 2018 and the anticipated creation of 260 more full-time positions as the facility develops. As a company that is committed to excellence, Allegiant Industrial Island Park Campus is prepared to meet the needs of industrial partners around the country with more than 500,000 square feet of shop space, welding and fabrication facilities, and the largest blast and coating facilities in the state Texas. With the growth of Allegiant Industrial Island Park Campus will come additional opportunities to positively impact the Southeast Texas economy and the Port is looking forward being a part of that growth and development.

Port hires Brandon Bergeron as director of engineering

Brandon Bergeron, P.E., was recently hired as the Port of Beaumont's director of engineering. Prior to joining the Port team, Bergeron worked as the Engineering Manager for Lanier & Associates Consulting Engineers, Inc., with 15 years of experience as an engineering consultant and project manager on a variety of marine terminal projects for public ports and private industry across the Gulf Coast.

Press Release

Sade Chick promoted to Mgr. of corporate affairs

Sade Chick was recently promoted to manager of corporate affairs. Prior to serving in this role, Chick served as the Government and Public Relations Coordinator and Assistant to the Port Director. Chick will oversee government and public relations as well as Port of Beaumont grant proposals and will contribute to marketing and economic development efforts. Chick has 12 years of experience in marketing, communications and public relations.

Press Release

Regional workforce development workshop hosted by Center for Advances in Port Management at Lamar University

More than 40 industry professionals participated in a regional workforce development workshop at Lamar University on December 11. The workshop, hosted by the Center for Advances in Port Management, served as an opportunity to bring decision makers together to discuss gaps in the region's workforce and identify a long-term, sustainable solution for bridging those gaps. Through the workshop, several resources were created and future plans include development of a maritime expo to address current and projected workforce gaps and development of a comprehensive database to track workforce needs in the industry and respond accordingly. The database will aid in the development of custom training programs that will be offered by area higher learning institutions including Lamar University (Center for Advances in Port Management), Lamar Institute of Technology , Lamar State College-Orange , Lamar State College Port Arthur , San Jacinto College , and Texas A & M Galveston .

Upcoming Workshops

THE PORT OF BEAUMONT 2018

WELCOMED 532 VESSELS

Vessels from Asia, South America, Africa and beyond were welcomed to the Port of Beaumont in 2018.

172% INCREASE IN LIQUID BULK TONNAGE

The increase is attributed to a strong energy market, coupled with expansion of the Orange County Terminal, operated by Jefferson Energy Companies.

LOADED/UNLOADED 22,000 RAIL CARS

Averaging 60 rail cars per day.

18% INCREASE IN MILITARY CARGO

HANDLED 144,226 TONS OF MILITARY EQUIPMENT

The 842nd Transportation Battalion handles approximately 55,000 pieces of military equipment through the POB annually.

WELCOMED 267,370 TONS OF FOREST PRODUCTS, INCLUDING BRAZILIAN WOOD PULP

IMPORTED 1,553,479 TONS OF AGGREGATE

RECEIVED$10 MILLION IN GRANTS FOR INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS

Port hosts Veterans Day pancake breakfast

Port honored at United Way Hometown Huddle

The Port of Beaumont collaborated with the Dorie E. Miller American Legion and Cooks 2 Dozen Plus to provide local veterans with a pancake breakfast and entertainment, provided by Beaumont United High School band. The event was an opportunity to honor the men and women of Southeast Texas who have served in the U.S. Military.

The Port of Beaumont team was honored at the United Way Hometown Huddle in October for the significant contributions Port employees make to United Way of Beaumont and North Jefferson County. United Way allocates the funds raised to 21 nonprofit organizations in Jefferson County that provide valuable services to our community.