The committee organizing the inaugural Business Development Week had a meeting on Monday to begin finalizing the schedule of events and activities. Business Development Week will be April 24-28. It is a collaboration with Lamar University's School of Entrepreneurial Studies and the Small Business Development Center. A great new effort to promote business development and growth is being planned.

The Government & Public Affairs Division met on Tuesday. Vice Chair Guy Goodson led the meeting. Plans for Thursday's candidate forum were finalized and the group discussed the key issues expected in the coming months. State Representative Allan Ritter was present to offer his insights. Among the topics discussed were public education finance, water infrastructure, and the impact of federal policies on the state and local budgets.

Jim Rich attended the monthly meeting of the Sabine Neches Waterway and Navigation District in his capacity as Commissioner. A vote to assist the Federal Maritime Agency with a dock expansion will result in the location of additional strategic defense ships on the channel. The group also approve a tax abatement agreement with Pandora Methanol LLC.

Training was conducted to returning volunteers working with our Total Resource Campaign. We have launched a four week renewal period for members to renew their previous sponsorships. This first right of refusal will preserve events and activities companies want to repeat before it is opened up to the larger volunteer sales force for solicitation.

Jim Rich chaired the meeting of the Southeast Texas P-16 Council at Lamar State Collage in Orange. Funding was authorized to conduct a recruitment event to attract first generation college students. The event will be hosted by Lamar State College in Port Arthur in May.

The Jason Alliance of Southeast Texas met on Thursday morning to finalize plans for the visit of famed scientist Dr. Robert Ballard to Lamar University on July 31. Reservations from elementary and middle school students have completely filled the Montage Center. Receptions for the plant managers, business and government leaders, and superintendents are being coordinated by Rene Latiolais. The ambassadors are among the volunteers for the event. Dr. Ballard spoke at an annual meeting ten years ago which resulted in the formation of the Jason Alliance of Southeast Texas.

We hosted the regional economic development professionals in a two hour meeting with guests from the International Economic Development Council on Wednesday. The topic was disaster recovery and assistance for long term economic development. The IEDC has a grant to provide technical assistance and training. A briefing on the proposed Innovation and Commercialization Center at Lamar University which is seeking $11 million in Hurricane Ike recovery funds was conducted by Paul Latiolais. The group is focused on diversification and new technology businesses to create new jobs.

The membership lunch on Thursday included the recognition of long standing members with anniversaries this year. We also awarded the 2012 Athena Leadership Award to Mary Poole of Baptist Beaumont Hospital. Mayor Beck Ames who won the award last year made the presentation. Seven Republican candidates in the April Republican Party Primary presented to an audience of over 300 people. Once there is a winner, we will organize another forum with former Congressman Nick Lampson who will be Democratic nominee.

Jim Rich and Jessica Hill attended the Edison Plaza celebration on Thursday evening. Congratulations to Albanese Cormier Holdings for their purchase and commitment to downtown Beaumont. Coldwell Banker Commercial Arnold & Associates coordinated the event attended by a large crowd.    

Membership Division   

 We are always looking for motivated individuals to participate on the Membership committee. Please contact Dale at 838-6581 x108 if you are interested.