Speakers give insight to economic recovery

Juan A. Navejar Jr.

Diversification of our economy through assistance from the state of Texas and the federal government is what Texas Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa and Representative JM Lozano told the attendees of the Chamber of Commerce Lucien Flournoy Old Fashioned Barbecue.
“It’s no secret we need to diversify the economy in Alice, but we have to use resources from the state of Texas and federal grants to make sure we can take advantage of the full potential we have to offer here,” Senator Hinojosa said.
Using a town hall format, BBQ chairman Kevin Downes moderated the 30 minute question and answer forum which gave the audience a good perspective of what we need to do to assure Alice and Jim Wells County can survive and turn around its state of economy.
The question and answer format had questions of diversifying economy, to comparing Alice with other cities in the Eagle Ford Shale, to taking advantage of the locale of the Hub City.
“Alice sits in a great location to attract business into the area. Taking advantage of Hwy 281 and Hwy 44 are key here with access to the port nearby,” Representative Lozano said. “There are ways to use this to benefit with the natural gas in the area.”
More than 300 attended the annual event. This year’s event was sponsored by Advanced Dental Care, Newell and Clare Atkinson, Brite Star, Carlisle Insurance, CHRISTUS Spohn Alice, City of Alice, Coastal Bend College, DeLaune Drilling, Jim Wells County, EnDyn, First Community Bank, First State Bank of San Diego, Marisol Carvajal-Garcia PC,  LJA Engineering, PlainsCapital Bank, Prosperity Bank, United Counseling Connections and Wells Fargo Bank.