By David Taylor Managing Editor
Area city representatives used a North Channel Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon to make a shared case for regional cooperation, saying the future of the area depends on stronger infrastructure, more economic development, workforce partnerships and long-delayed flood control improvements.
The panel featured Jacinto City City Manager Lon Squyres, Galena Park Fire Chief Tom Ellis and Houston District E Councilman Fred Flickinger. The discussion was moderated by North Channel Chamber Board Chairman Dr. Alexander Okwonna, who framed the conversation around the role each city plays in the broader North Channel area.
“One thing that clearly emerged today is that although the cities have unique priorities, our futures are all interconnected,” Okwonna said in closing. “Businesses don’t recognize municipal boundaries, they recognize opportunity. They recognize workforce
. They recognize infrastructure, public safety, and quality of life.”
The luncheon focused on the question of how Jacinto City, Galena Park and Houston’s North Channel communities can build on recent momentum while addressing persistent challenges.
Ellis said his commitment to public service began early.
“I come from a long line of police officers and firefighters,” Ellis said. “Serving is always something that my parents encouraged. We’re all people and we have the ability to serve. And we have a duty and responsibility to serve.”
Squyres said his service began in 1977 as a volunteer firefighter in Jacinto City.
“I felt I needed to give something back to the community,” Squyres said. “I’ve done everything in the city from literally washing dishes all the way up to serving as city manager.”
Flickinger said his path into public office grew from long-standing interest in government, grassroots groups and encouragement from former Councilman Dave Martin.
“I’d always been interested in government and politics,” Flickinger said. “I hadn’t really thought about running. And Dave Martin…asked me if I’d be interested in running.”
Much of the discussion centered on infrastructure, with Squyres saying Jacinto City is managing nine separate grants totaling about $25 million, with another $10 million grant application pending through the Water Development Board.
“If we can get those things done, it’s a game changer,” Squyres said. “We’ve already rehabbed probably 75% of our water lines, about 90% of our sanitary sewers. So that’s going to put us in a position where our public infrastructure will be virtually new for all practical purposes.”
Ellis said Galena Park also is moving forward with infrastructure work, including water line improvements and pipebursting projects. But he said one of the most significant investments in the city’s future is coming from Galena Park ISD, including a new high school, a new MacArthur Elementary, middle school additions and renovations at the early childhood learning center.
“That influence absolutely is going to shape the future of the city,” Ellis said, pointing specifically to career and technical education programs at Galena Park High School. “Those things are huge investments in our children that are going to have lifelong and generational impact on the area.” Flickinger said economic development is a top priority for the Houston portion of the North Channel area.
“We really thought that additional economic development would benefit the area more than anything would,” Flickinger said. He noted that companies tied to maritime, industrial and supply-chain work may be drawn to the area because of its access to highways and waterways.
Ellis said Galena Park is seeing renewed investment linked to its industrial base, including activity along the Ship Channel, new industrial users and expansions by existing businesses. But he said city leaders also want to bring back smaller, locally owned businesses.
“The biggest thing that we’re trying to do, it’s great that we have all this corporate investment, but how do we start to bring back those mom-and-pop shops and things that Galena Park once had?” Ellis said. “Business time is money. So if you can make it streamlined and faster, that’s what we’re hoping to do.”
In Jacinto City, Squyres said infrastructure upgrades are already encouraging new home construction, remodeling and commercial interest. He also described a forthcoming but still unnamed green-energy-related company expected to reuse the site of a former glass bottle manufacturing plant.
“The initial investment is $50 million, but it should be within a couple of years we’re talking about $200 million probably,” Squyres said. “For a small city, that’s quite an investment.”
Flickinger said Houston has already made improvements in the area, including repaving Market Street from Loop 610, repaving neighborhood streets and planning future work including repaving Uvalde Road. He also pointed to park improvements and tree planting as quality-of-life investments.
“In order to have economic development, you’ve got to have a lot of other stuff as well,” Flickinger said. “Those types of things make quite a bit of difference.”
The panelists also discussed the importance of workforce development. Ellis said schools, businesses and government must maintain close relationships to prepare residents for changing industries.
“The schools have to keep up and sort of be a little bit ahead of what’s going to happen,” Ellis said. “The only way to do that is to have those relationships with industry.”
Squyres said cities can help connect businesses with education and workforce organizations rather than try to train workers directly.
“Cities aren’t in the business of training for jobs,” Squyres said. “We’re going to point those individuals toward our colleges, toward our high schools, and they’re geared to do that.”
Flickinger said San Jacinto College is playing a major role in attracting investment, particularly in the Generation Park area.
“Education plays a huge role,” Flickinger said. “Everybody plays a part and we’ve all got to do our part to make it work.”
When Okwonna asked what single regional initiative the three communities should collaborate on, the answer quickly turned to flood control.
Squyres called the Hunting Bayou flooding issue a personal priority, saying the bayou’s configuration contributes to flooding in Jacinto City, Galena Park and Houston neighborhoods such as Songwood.
“It’s got to be fixed,” Squyres said. “This is my life mission at this point. I’m tired of seeing people get flooded.”
Ellis agreed, saying new flood maps will worsen the financial impact on Galena Park residents and businesses.
“There’s solutions to the problem,” Ellis said. “I just don’t understand why we continue to spend money on studies that we already know the answers to, but nobody wants to put a shovel in the dirt and actually solve the problem.”
Flickinger also ranked flooding as a major concern, saying regional leaders need to push for projects that address the worst flooding first.
“Whatever helps the area helps all the area,” Flickinger said. “Whatever we can do to work together and try to bring some of these businesses into the area will absolutely help everybody.”
The panelists said changing the perception of the North Channel area will require better marketing, visible improvements and more collaboration.
Squyres said the area has not always done a good job of promoting itself.
“Our image is lacking,” Squyres said. “We’re not good at promoting ourselves. I think the chamber plays a big part in that.”
Flickinger said appearance matters in shaping public perception.
“If things look nice when you drive through the area, people have a better perception of it,” Flickinger said. “Whatever we can do to spruce up the area I think makes a huge difference.”
Ellis said Galena Park is working to rebuild relationships with the chamber, industry, the school district and neighboring cities.
“It’s going to take all of us working together to get these projects done,” Ellis said. “It’s a great place to live. It’s a great place to work.”
The discussion closed with each speaker naming a one-word vision for the future. Flickinger chose “improvement.” Squyres answered, “growth with a proper flood control to support it.” Ellis followed with “improvement on flood control to promote growth.”
Okwonna thanked the panelists and said the Chamber’s role is to serve as a convener and advocate for the region.
“That is exactly why the North Channel Area Chamber exists,” Okwonna said, “to bring together, foster collaboration, to advocate for businesses, and to help our entire region prosper.”
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