campaigns : Campaign Archive

October 2008

Volume 6. Issue 10

IN THIS ISSUE

Ports-to-Plains Conference Review

PTP Economic Development Workgroup Meeting

PTP Board Election

PTP Press Room

Ports-to-Plains thanks our sponsors for a successful conference!

Click here to view 2008 Sponsors

Judy Canales, Maverick County Economic Development Director discusses business success stories with the audience. Photo courtesy of Bill Sontag (Southwest Texas Live!)

Ports-to-Plains Board Members (L -R) Lubbock Mayor Tom Martin, Todd McKee of Lubbock and Dave Nix of Lamesa discuss Ports-to-Plains issues during the break.

Ports-to-Plains Chairman Sid Cauthorn explains to audience that many projects are underway along the corridor

Yuma Ri dancers performs during lunch in Cd. Acuña

Ports-to-Plains Press Room

See the Ports-to-Plains press room for the latest media coverage of news affecting our membership. There is great coverage on the Conference as well as success stories and economic data available. To access the press room click here.

Ports-to-Plains - Texas Department of Transportation - Del Rio - Cd. Acuña

Partners for an

Extraordinary Conference!

With just over 260 attendees at the 11th Annual Ports-to-Plains Conference, Ports-to-Plains and the Texas Department of Transportation partnered with the City of Del Rio and Cd. Acuña to host one of the largest events in Ports-to-Plains history.

With a red carpet welcome from both cities, the conference delivered its promise by hosting a first-class event while providing an excellent line-up of speakers, topics, and tours. The foremost conference mission was accomplished by providing participants with innovative ideas, tools, and information that is necessary to take full advantage of the opportunities the Ports-to-Plains Trade Corridor provides.

The conference began on Wednesday evening, October 1, with a business networking reception in the Grand Ballroom of the Del Rio Ramada Inn where the Mayor of Del Rio, Efrain Valdez; Cd. Acuña Mayor, Evaristo Lenin Pérez; Ports-to-Plains Chairman Sid Cauthorn and John Barton from the Texas Department of Transportation extended a heartfelt welcome to conference attendees.

Ports-to-Plains President Michael Reeves opened the conference presentations the following morning with the “State of Ports-to-Plains Address” discussing current and future projects as well as upcoming legislative work to be done in 2009. Attendees heard that 2009 will be a crucial year for Ports-to-Plains and transportation in general, with TxDOT undergoing the sunset review process in the Texas Legislature, and the federal highway bill set to expire in September. “While this is a great challenge for Ports-to-Plains, it is also a great opportunity for Ports-to-Plains members to be actively involved in crafting new transportation policy that greatly advances the development of the corridor,” stated Reeves.

John Barton, Assistant Executive Director for Engineering Operations followed with an update from the Texas Department of Transportation stating there is a critical need to shore up the infrastructure now. “While Texas is at approximately 24 million people now, by 2040, it is expected to reach from 35 million to 51 million,” stated Barton.

Buzz David, President and CEO for the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation; John Friess, Director for Sonora Industrial Development Corporation and Mike Running, Executive Director for Dumas Economic Development Corporation spoke about how their organizations have utilized the Ports-to-Plains Corridor to boost business in their respective communities.

Pat Sauer, Vice President, Director of Development for the Staubach Company from Phoenix, Arizona gave an insight to pursuing retail opportunities in rural areas. He stated there is a need to be realistic in regard to the size of the community and the types of retail businesses you pursue, so search retail opportunities that have a history of success in comparable communities. Read complete article»

PTP Economic Development Workgroup Meeting Slated for November 13, 2008 in Nebraska

The initial Ports-to-Plains Economic Development Workgroup Meeting will be held in Gering, Nebraska on November 13, 2008 in conjunction with the Heartland Expressway Conference. For more information click here.

Trinidad Herrera addresses the audience at the Del Rio Civic Center

The conference continues on Friday at Salon R.L. in Cd. Acuña

Conference participants enjoy visiting while viewing the tradeshow exhibits

Dr. Brad Bekkedahl

PTP Holds Board Election

Dr. Brad Bekkedahl of Williston, ND was elected to serve on the Ports-to-Plains Board of Directors as a representative of Theodore Roosevelt Expressway. Read on»