The U. S. Chamber of Commerce recently awarded the Texas City-La Marque Cham-ber of Commerce with 4-star accredita-tion for its sound policies, effective organiza-tional procedures and positive impact on the community. The accreditation tells chamber members, as well as the greater business com-munity, this organization has effective programs, sound finances and is a strong advocate for their interests.Accreditation is the only national program that recognizes chambers for their effective organiza-tional procedures and community involvement. In order to receive accreditation, a chamber must meet minimum standards in its operations and programs, including areas of governance, government affairs and technology. This exten-sive self-review can take six to nine months to complete. “We are thrilled to announce that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has awarded our cham-ber with a 4-star accreditation,” Chamber Presi-dent Jenny Senter said.“This impressive honor puts the Texas City-La Marque Chamber and its 961 active members among the top 3 percent of chambers nation-wide.”The determination is made by the accredit-ing board, a committee of U.S. Chamber board members and chamber executives from across the country.“I looked at the criteria for accreditation and knew that our chamber was already operating under the measures of a basic accreditation, as required by the accreditation board,” Senter said.“I also knew that we were positioned in terms of structure, culture, leadership as well as the quality of our members, to take our chamber to the next level.” Local chambers are rated accredited, 3, 4 or 5 stars. State chambers are recognized as either an Accredited State Chamber or Accredited State Chamber with Distinction. The final determina-tion is made by the accrediting board.The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations. The only national program recognizing chambers for their effective organizational procedures and community involvement, accreditation allows chambers to renew, improve and promote sound business practices, policies and procedures. The chamber’s accreditation rating is good for five years, after which the chamber will seek reac-creditation.The Texas City-La Marque Chamber of Com-merce continues to serve the members and en-hance economic and community development.Chamber Mission To serve our members and enhance economic and community developmentChamber VisionTo be recognized as a vital resource, providing relevant, innovative and impactful programming that produces a health business climate and an enhanced quality of life.InsideMember Profile .........................................................................................................................................................................................2Chamber Chat...........................................................................................................................................................................................3Business of the Month ...........................................................................................................................................................................4Taste of the Town .....................................................................................................................................................................................5Ribbon Cuttings .................................................................................................................................................................................8-11New Members ........................................................................................................................................................................................11Vol. 24 | Issue 4 April 2019Leadership Mainland Class Retreat Attendees >> Page 6Chamber received 4-star accreditation from US Chamber2 | Chamber Express | April 2019MEMBER PROFILETexas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce members have amazing talents and stories to tell. With this series we want to introduce you to some of our members and spotlight their businesses. If you would like to be spotlighted in our Member Profile, contact Lorrie Koster at lorrie@texascitychamber.com.Campeche Coffee811 6th St. N., Suite 300, Texas City409-229-1430Representative: Sarah Dodd, ownerChamber Express NewsletterThe publication of the Texas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce is published monthly (second Sunday of the month). Some content and photos provided as a courtesy by The Galveston County Daily News.Editorials & Photos:Lorrie Koster, Texas City- La Marque Chamber of Commerce409-935-1408Advertising:The Galveston County Daily News409-683-5224advertising@galvnews.comTexas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce9702 E.F. Lowry ExpresswayTexas City, Texas 77590409-935-1408www.tclmchamber.comRon AssadGallant BuildersKevin BogardMarathon Petroleum Sally BriggsGulf Greyhound ParkKirk BroilesScribbles Embroidery Aaron CameronAshlandDr. Rodney CavnessTexas City Independent School DistrictJoshua ChapmanChapman Front End & BrakesCraig ColelliFaust DistributingKedge CookCook FordChris DevriesStandard Steel SupplyJames DickinsonKodiak Metals RecyclingShannon DoyleSouth Land Title Pete Dunn Jr.Dunn Heat Exchangers Gail FigueroaAmoco Federal Credit UnionJames HartshornCity of Texas CityJason Hayley Port of Texas CityFelix HerreraAwesome Auto AccessoriesBrook HrachDow ChemicalManny LopezEl Cubano Cigar FactoryJim MacphersonValero RefiningSergio MatuteEastman Chemical – Texas City Inc.Genevieve McGarvey Mcleod, Alexander, Powel & ApffelColleen MerrittLa Marque Economic Development Corp.Georgia MeyerKarat Creations JewelryTripp MontalboHCA Houston Healthcare MainlandSam NavarroApache Industrial ServicesDr. Warren NicholsCollege of the MainlandRay NunezTaylor & HillPerry O’BrienDomac Inc.Philip OrangeTeam Mancuso Power SportsRusty PlackemeierLyons & PlackemeierKitty PotterTexas First BankTerrance TrevinoBP Texas City ChemicalsBecky TroutUTMBDiana VasquezTNMPBoard of DirectorsTell us a little about your background.I’ve always wanted to be a small- business owner and just combined that with my love of good coffee.How would you summarize what you do?I add a lot of care to each and every beverage that I make to ensure every person leaves happy.How has your business evolved over time?We have developed regular customers, most of whom have become great friends. They have all brought new customers over the years.What are some of your proudest accomplishments?Being nominated Best Coffee Shop in 2018, making a huge pot of hot chocolate for the City of Texas City and Blue Santa, and whenever I have a line out the door at various events.What are you working on now?Becoming the best local coffee shop is our No. 1 goal.Texas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce members have amazing talents and stories to tell. With this series we want to introduce you to some of our members and spotlight their businesses. If you would like to be spotlighted in our Member Profile, contact Lorrie Koster at lorrie@texascitychamber.com.April 2019 | Chamber Express | 3CHAMBER CHATAlfie’s Fish & Chips SoldAlfie’s Fish & Chips, 2115 Palmer Highway in Texas City, closed in December for maintenance and re-pairs, but representatives of Wyatt Real Estate confirm owners of Al-fie’s have sold the building, which might open as an Asian cuisine restaurant. Owners of Alfie’s have not applied for permits to open elsewhere in Texas City.— The Daily News Yum Yum ChowOwners of Lee Oriental Buffet are behind Yum Yum Chow under-way at 2310 FM 2004 in Texas City. Opening of Yum Yum Chow is still a few weeks away as crews re-model the building formerly occu-pied by Ryan’s, a buffet and steak concept that closed in February 2016. They haven’t yet obtained an occupancy permit, but are close, city officials said. Yum Yum Chow is expected to be a Chinese food buffet. — The Daily News La Marque planning forhundreds of homesKB Homes has secured a permit to install paving infrastructure for a new residential neighborhood called Sunset Grove near the city-limit line of La Marque and Hitchcock off Delany Road. Sun-set Grove will include about 200 homes in La Marque, all 60-foot lots with floor plans up to 3,109 square feet. The development also will include more houses in the city of Hitchcock. Residential de-velopers are bullish on La Marque, a city that can expect more than 2,500 new residential, commercial and industrial water and sewer connections over the next 10 years, according to a study commissioned in October.— The Daily News Murphy USA Murphy USA plans to build a 1,400-square-foot store on the same site of its former fueling station at 6410 Interstate 45 in La Marque. The new station will fea-ture 16 pumps and a walk-in store with bathrooms, coolers, fountain drinks, snacks and coffee. — The Daily News 6th Street Garage Bar & KitchenThe 6th Street Garage Bar & Kitchen, 522 6th St. N. in Texas City, is completing finishing touch-es before a final county health inspection. — The Daily News Hey Mikey’s Ice CreamNearly two years after opening Hey Mikey’s Ice Cream at 613 6th St., Mike and Kathy Bouvier are planning a bakery next door and a hamburger joint around the cor-ner. The Bouviers are teaming up with Kaitlin Stafford for a May or June opening of the bakery called Bear Fruit. The bakery eventually will provide hamburger buns to another Bouvier concept — Pete’s Burger Joint. That eatery is a little further down the line, but in the works.— The Daily News Chick-fil-A Grand Opening The Chick-fil-A underway for months at 3440 Palmer Highway in Texas City finally opened on April 4.— The Daily NewsTHANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THE TEXAS CITY- LA MARQUE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE4 | Chamber Express | April 2019u need any type of refractory material on or repair, call us. You will get superior roducts and services, when and where them. urnaroundsr Unit Turnaroundses & Heatersnings & CoatingsBoilerse RestorationDiamond Refractory Services An EMCOR Industrial Services Company ofing8412 Mosley, Houston, TX 77075 713.378.9200 diamondrefractory.com CAL PROJECT EXECUTION FOR THE REFINERY AND PETROCHEMICAL INDUSTRIES When you need any type of refractory material installation or repair, call us. You will get superior quality products and services, when and where you need them. •FCCU Turnarounds•Sulphur Unit Turnarounds•Furnaces & Heaters•Acid Linings & Coatings•Power Boilers•Concrete RestorationDiamond Refractory Services An EMCOR Industrial Services Company •Fireproofing8412 Mosley, Houston, TX 77075 713.378.9200 diamondrefractory.com CRITICAL PROJECT EXECUTION FOR THE REFINERY AND PETROCHEMICAL INDUSTRIES When you need any type of refractory material installation or repair, call us. You will get superior quality products and services, when and where you need them. TRIR 0.00 for 3+ years running8412 Mosley Road Houston, Texas 77075Phone: 713-378-9200 Fax: 713-378-9103 www.diamondrefractory.com Absolute Commitment: Absolute Results!• FCCU Turnarounds• Sulphur Unit Turnarounds• Furnaces & Heaters• Acid Linings & Coatings• Power Boilers• Concrete Restoration• FireproofingBUSINESS OF THE MONTHMcRee Ford2800 Gulf Freeway, Dickinson281-337-1529Representatives: Mitchell Dale, Molly CrowMcRee Ford, established in 1947 in Dickinson, is a family-owned Ford Motor Co. dealership operating under the leadership of the third and fourth generations. The company has earned its reputation from focusing on employee and customer satisfaction. McRee has been recognized by Ford by earning the President’s Award a total of 24 times during the past 30 years. The dealership is a new state-of-the-art facility with an air-conditioned service department, large inventory of new and preowned vehicles and parts, a Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center, collision repair facility and McRee Insurance Agency. In addition, Bay Area Auto & Truck Rental is an onsite rental agency with a fleet of more than 1,100 vehicles available for McRee customer loaners as well as retail and commercial customers. All departments are staffed with Ford-certified employees equipped with the latest technology and tools to provide excellent customer service and satisfaction. The team is constantly working to improve employee satisfaction and customer experiences.April 2019 | Chamber Express | 5Robert Balderas – Roofing Specialist409-945-6920Taste of the Town & AuctionMake plans to attend the Texas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce Taste of the Town & Auction on May 9 at the Doyle Convention Center, 2010 5th Ave. N., Texas City.Taste of the Town is an annual community event that showcases area restaurants and caterers. Here, you can stroll through food and beverage booths to sample some of the best cuisine in town. With many of the local restaurants and beverage distributors participating, you can stroll around and sample the wide range of culinary delights in the area. Tickets entitle you to food and drink at the many booths, featuring mouth-watering appetizers, entrees, side dishes, desserts, pastries and beverages from many of the area’s finest restaurants, caterers, bakeries and beverage companies. About 800 guests are expected to satisfy their appetites. The auction takes place immedi-ately after the Taste of the Town. Whether bidding for yourself or shopping for a gift, you’re guaran-teed to find something in both the live and silent auctions. There also will be a purse auc-tion, a wine grab, a grub grab and games.TICKETS Adults.................................................. $25Children............................................ $7.50To purchase tickets, or for more in-formation, contact the Texas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce at 409-935-1408.SponsorsPlatinum Sponsors• AMOCO Federal Credit Union • ValeroGold Sponsors• CenterPoint EnergySilver Sponsors• A & A Machine & Fabrication• Ashland• Centerpoint Energy• Eastman Chemical Company• Texas First Bank• TNMPBronze Sponsors• Dow Chemical Co. 6 | Chamber Express | April 2019April 2019 | Chamber Express | 78 | Chamber Express | April 20192425 SH 146 North • Texas City 409-945-4461 • Fax 409-945-8479 • Email: tctrr.comNo. 4 In Texas No. 10 in U.S. Gulf CoastNo. 15 inU.S. NationwidePORT OF TEXAS CITYTexas City Terminal Railway CompanyPort AuthoritySERVICING YOU IS A PLEASURE409-948-4589My clients say I am their“Favorite Realtor”.Over forty-three (43) yearsservicing Galveston CountyWanda AblesRealtor®/Broker Associatewmables@aol.com822 6th Street NorthTexas City, TX 77590409-771-4775 Cell409-948-4589 Direct409-948-2321 FaxRIBBON CUTTINGSUTMB Health Clear Lake Campus Hospital200 Blossom St., Webster409-772-1011Representative: Becky Trout UnbehagenGulf Coast Attainable Housing Foundation1536 Texas Ave., Texas City409-359-3044Representative: Caston Hunt, presidentApril 2019 | Chamber Express | 9RENT • SALES • REPAIR2830 TEXAS AVE., TEXAS CITY • 409-948-4497MAINLANDTOOLMAINLAND TOOLStore Hours: Mon-Fri: 7am-6pm, 24 Hour Call Out Service AvailableMAINLANDTOOL.COMWHILE SUPPLIES LAST!Porter-Cable20 Volt Cordless Drill$7995RIBBON CUTTINGSChick-fil-A3440 Palmer Highway, Texas CityRepresentatives: Russ Chalmers, Lori ChalmersDeMontrond Hyundai Texas City3220 Gulf Freeway, Texas City281-337-1100Representative: Melissa DeMontrondState Rep. Mayes Middleton 2101 Mechanic St., Suite 245, Galveston409-392-6100Next >