KRISTIE YOUNG — Successful first year for Local First; 2024 to be even better
Published 12:22 am Tuesday, December 19, 2023
- A Golden Triangle Polymers Company donation to Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas helped create Local First, a website maintained by Workforce at localfirst.setworks.org. (Courtesy photo)
|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Local First was launched in the spring of 2023 when Golden Triangle Polymers made a generous donation to Orange County to establish a local hiring initiative with the goal of connecting local businesses with bidding opportunities with the project.
We are pleased to report that more than $192 million has been awarded or spent locally by Golden Triangle Polymers and primary contractors working on the project through the third quarter of this year!
In addition, there are almost 100 Orange County companies on the Local First vendor and supplier list. It is not too late to register.
Kristie Young
Businesses within Orange County are encouraged to visit GoldenTrianglePolymers.com for a short registration process.
This summer, more than 400 people attended the Local First Vendor and Supplier fair. The fair gave local companies an opportunity to meet representatives with the primary contractors working on the project.
In October, we launched a “Doing Business with Industry” workshop series with the Small Business Development Center for approximately 30 local businesses.
For those that missed the first session, there is one more opportunity for people to attend the class which will be held on Jan. 9 from 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at the Orange County Convention and Expo Center.
Lunch will be served.
Visit OrangeCountyEDC.com to register and to review dates for the second and third classes that are scheduled in January through March.
During 2024, we are planning additional workshops to help Orange County businesses learn more about minority business certifications and how they can apply.
We are also developing community partnerships to offer entrepreneurs opportunities to learn about product and service gaps in Southeast Texas with the goal of inspiring future Orange County businesses.
Working with the Orange County Economic Development Corporation, we continue to encourage and work with businesses to move or expand to Orange County.
We will make announcements as these businesses open their new locations in 2024, so stay tuned!
Contact me, Kristie Young, at kyoung@co.orange.tx.us or visit me at the Golden Triangle Polymers public information office at 1537 Strickland, Suite A if you have any questions regarding Local First. Follow us on Facebook to learn about educational and networking opportunities in 2024.
