Wadsworth, Texas — Environmental Fluids broke ground to build an environmentally-friendly chemical blending facility on Sims Lane in Wadsworth, Wednesday.
The project is a $5 – $30 million capital investment over four phases and is projected to create about 25 new jobs in its initial phase and more than 100 at peak employment.
The facility will warehouse and blend green surfactants or components of a variety of commonly used items like detergents, paints and coatings, agricultural materials, oil and gas industrial materials, and other materials, according to Environmental Fluids Principal Edward G. Esner.
Esner said Matagorda County was chosen as the site for this facility due to it’s clean environment, dependable logistics, proximity to Houston and ability to connect to rail.
Environmental Fluids, a family-owned and operated company, will be led by Corporate President Ryan E. Esner; Bryan Esner is Vice President of Sales and the local Plant Manager is Tammy Lindemann.
In his comments to those attending the groundbreaking ceremony, Matagorda County Judge Nate McDonald commended Esner and Environmental Fluids for their commitment to green practices and being another responsible member of Matagorda County’s industrial community devoted to protecting its pristine environment.
McDonald also praised the company for providing the primary jobs needed for the county to accomplish one of its goals – to offer good-paying jobs that will bring the younger generations back to the county to live and work and give them the opportunity to make a good living here at home.
Mitch Thames, Matagorda County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) board chairman and Bay City Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture president, explained that this project has been in the works for over a year now.
“We worked hard to provide them with the information they needed to get started on their project,” said Thames.
“In the last couple of years, people have helped me understand the economic development world better. I have come to realize that this groundbreaking we are celebrating now is a culmination of months and months of hard work and dedication. I have come to realize that this doesn’t come quickly. It takes a lot of perseverance to get a project from first introduction to the celebration of a groundbreaking,” Thames explained.
In his comments to the crowd gathered at the ceremony Wednesday, MCEDC Executive Director Mike Ferdinand reminded everyone that economic development successes don’t happen in a vacuum.
McDonald also praised the company for providing the primary jobs needed for the county to accomplish one of its goals – to offer good-paying jobs that will bring the younger generations back to the county to live and work and give them the opportunity to make a good living here at home.
Mitch Thames, Matagorda County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) board chairman and Bay City Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture president, explained that this project has been in the works for over a year now.
“We worked hard to provide them with the information they needed to get started on their project,” said Thames.
“In the last couple of years, people have helped me understand the economic development world better. I have come to realize that this groundbreaking we are celebrating now is a culmination of months and months of hard work and dedication. I have come to realize that this doesn’t come quickly. It takes a lot of perseverance to get a project from first introduction to the celebration of a groundbreaking,” Thames explained.
In his comments to the crowd gathered at the ceremony Wednesday, MCEDC Executive Director Mike Ferdinand reminded everyone that economic development successes don’t happen in a vacuum.
“This project was accomplished through a public-private partnership,” said Ferdinand.
“We appreciate Bryan Alexander and Thompson Land Company bringing us in early to help the client make the decision to locate in Matagorda County.”
“Public Private Partnerships work best when all community partners, utilities, private businesses and local officials can work together,” said Ferdinand.
He explained that there is a multiplier effect each time a new primary job is created in the community. It typically results in the creation of 2-3 secondary jobs, such as retail, food service and other support industries, said Ferdinand.
As local officials, Environmental Fluids associates and local realtors lined up to turn over the first shovels of dirt on the project, Thames made a projection.
“We look forward to them being a great member of our business community in Matagorda County for many years to come,” said Thames.
