5 The refineries
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| George Gongora/Caller-Times |
| Refineries, like Koch's facility on Suntide Rd., not only bring a high level of technological and industrial clout to the local community, but they've also powered local job growth. |
It used to be that refineries and chemical plants mostly got
attention when something went wrong. But the industry has undergone
an image makeover of sorts as it has experienced economic rejuvenation,
met stricter environmental standards and added jobs while other
cities face decline.
Refineries also lend some international prestige
to the city. Earlier this year, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez
visited Citgo's Corpus Christi operations. Venezuela's state-owned
oil company Petroleos de Venezuela SA operates Oklahoma-based
Citgo.
And then there was San Antonio-based Valero Energy
Corp.'s May announcement that it planned to buy Ultramar Diamond
Shamrock for $6 billion. That acquisition, combined with company's
bid to buy El Paso Energy Corp.'s local refinery, placed 1,000
Corpus Christi area employees on Valero's payroll. It also made
Valero the nation's second-largest refiner of petroleum.
Port Industries is a trade group with 13 port-related
industries.
Direct jobs locally: 9,000 to 10,000
Spin-off jobs: 50,000
Products: Range from asphalt to jet fuel to cosmetics
to Plexiglas
Combined payroll: Almost $1 billion
National impact: Local refiners make up 5 percent
to 7 percent of the nation's refining capacity.
Buying power: More than $500 million in goods and
services from local businesses and $900 million statewide
Tax role: More than $185 million in local taxes,
despite abatements