Special to the PRESS
Dear Editor,
Many in Cameron County to benefit from LNG industry
If you have children, a home, a business and/or a job in Cameron County, you stand to benefit from liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities coming to our county. This safe, responsible industry will pump billions of dollars into our economy and create thousands of direct and indirect jobs. It will be a game-changer for our region, which lags behind the nation in employment, wages and economic growth.
As a former district director for the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), I know that this is a golden opportunity that many communities around the U.S. would embrace.
For our children, these jobs will provide the opportunity to earn a good wage in the community where they grew up. More of our talented young people can build successful careers near their families. More parents will be able to earn living wages to support their families. For example, the average annual salary for a gas plant operator is $63,400, more than twice Cameron County’s average income of $28,555, according to the U.S. Census.
If you own a business or have a job in the county, you can expect to benefit to some degree. This industry will create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, which will drive down our high unemployment rate and increase spending throughout our community.
These added dollars will flow through every business, from restaurants, stores and hotels to service businesses like dry cleaners and hair salons. In addition to hiring scores of local workers, the industry will fill construction jobs with non-local workers, which will be a boon for lodging, dining, retail and services.
In addition, LNG construction companies and their subcontractors will spend billions of dollars on materials and services throughout the region. These expenditures, along with those associated with job creation mentioned above, will boost sales tax revenues for our cities and county, making more money available for important services and infrastructure improvements.
If you own a home or other property in the county, you could see your county property taxes go down. In other communities where industry is a major property taxpayer we often see lower property tax rates and more funds for parks and recreation, infrastructure and other projects that improve the quality of life.
As a business owner and consultant who has worked and raised a family in the Valley, I see this economic stimulation and job growth as the path to a better life for this and future generations. Adding LNG to our economic portfolio will diversify and strengthen our economy, giving it a much-needed boost. Please join me in supporting LNG in Cameron County.
Anthony R. “Tony” Alvarez
CEO, franchise executive and social entrepreneur
Harlingen
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