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The Matagorda County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) Board represents all of Matagorda County. It is comprised of 8 appointed members, which represent three public funding entities – Matagorda County, Bay City Community Development and the Port of Bay City Authority — as well as the four Chambers of Commerce from Bay City, Matagorda, Palacios, and Sargent. All Board directives are implemented by an Executive Director and a Director of Communications.
The MCEDC is focused on growing Matagorda County through the recruitment of new industries, commercial businesses, tourism infrastructure, and the expansion of existing businesses. It seeks to expand our agriculture and aquaculture sectors through new crops, value-added opportunities, and recruiting local supplier and processing businesses.
MCEDC Board of Directors & Staff
County Judge Nate McDonald
President
Matagorda County Commissioners Court
Mitch Thames
Vice President
Bay City Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture
Councilman Jason Childers
Secretary
Bay City Community Development
George Harrison
Treasurer
Port of Bay City Authority
Sue Milberger*
Matagorda Area Chamber of Commerce
Karen Restivo*
Matagorda Area Chamber of Commerce
Ray Fessenden
Sargent Chamber of Commerce
Jessica Russell
Bay City Community Development
David King
Palacios Chamber of Commerce
Scott Hardwick
Executive Director
Heather M. Case
Director of Communication
* Shared position: on/off every six months with one vote combined.
Areas of Economic Potential
MCEDC uses the county’s assets to promote economic development. Its goal is to diversify the county’s economy by creating an Energy Cluster that builds on our existing agricultural, chemical, and power production assets.
Our energy assets include:
- The South Texas Project nuclear plant and other renewable technology opportunities
- Peyton Creek Wind Farm (180 MW)
- North American headquarters of Tenaris steel pipe manufacturer
- Renewable energy crops for power and fuel production
- Multiple oil and gas lines
- Rail service by two providers
- Commercial barge service on the Intracoastal Waterway and Colorado River Channel
- A high capacity transmission grid
- Air quality attainment
- Surface, ground and brackish water supplies
- Large amounts of open land with opportunities for various types of conventional, alternative, and green energy processes
We are poised for growth. Come! Join us in making it happen.
