When companies come into an area to do business or build a project, they work with local officials, residents, and stakeholders to get feedback, answer questions, share ideas and provide information on how the project will impact the community.
As responsible operators, it is their duty to do their due diligence and work collaboratively and openly with their neighbors. When planning a route for a new pipeline project, these companies not only work to understand any potentially sensitive environmental impacts but also consider a host of factors including: effects on landowners, population centers, local topographical features, special circumstances, and input from communities.
It also means understanding local jobs and economic factors from the construction phase until the project is completed. They look at the short- and long-term investment the project brings to the community, and build relationships with community partners to ensure project continuity and sustained corporate tax revenue streams for hospitals, schools and first responders.
Luckily, the Coastal Bend community is in the heart of one of our nation’s largest energy complexes and understands what energy development means for our local community as well as for Texas and our nation’s economic and national security.
Texas is home to one of the most prolific shale plays in the world, located in the western part of the state. Texas is also home to a vast network of pipelines that bring energy to our communities, refineries, power facilities, and petrochemical plants, all of which create jobs and provide sound tax revenue for Texans. Since a lot of this energy infrastructure already exists here in Port Aransas and our surrounding communities, the Coastal Bend is one of the keys to America’s energy independence and renaissance. It is leading and leveraging more regional manufacturing investments and generating critical tax dollars for our region.
Just like any business that comes into a community, whether it’s a big box store with a 100,000 square foot facility or a local restaurant, they all need energy to generate economic activity. Energy projects also pay property taxes. Texas doesn’t have a state income tax but local businesses pay a premium for property taxes.
Infrastructure projects – a new highway, building, bridge and even the pipelines that transport our energy – pay taxes, too. Bluewater will be 55 miles in length both on and offshore. That means property taxes; transportation taxes and more will be paid on that 55 miles. The taxes go to city, county, and state coffers, where they are allocated for things like schools, social and city services, and into other funds governments might need to pay for things like coastal restoration or hurricane relief.
Additionally, companies hire locals, and locals care about the communities where they live. Often, companies work with local charities to invest money in things like parks and community centers or find other ways they can give back or meet a local need. Some companies look at what needs to be done now for the project but also when the infrastructure needs to be replaced or removed. These long-term commitments and investments weave project operators into the fabric of their communities, doubly so since many of their employees live where they work
Did you find this helpful or have other questions related to community benefits? Send us a note and we’ll dig in and get some answers – just tell us where to send them!
