Some of the benefits of the petrochemical industry to this area are obvious. The refineries and chemical plants provide thousands of good jobs. Construction and maintenance projects provide even more jobs. Industry pays taxes that fund a large percentage of local cities, schools and other districts. Other things done by industry to benefit this area are not always so obvious, and the driving force behind many of those is the Port Arthur Industrial Group and its Community Leaders Advisory Group, organizations through which member companies work behind the scenes to make this area a better place in which to live and work.

The PAIG is an organization that is not often in the limelight, but its members have been working throughout its 15 years of existence to achieve its mission of providing college scholarships to area students and reducing the amount of emissions released by local plants. Dan Duncan, one of the founding members of the PAIG reported at a reception this week in honor of the 15^th anniversary of the organization that about 100 scholarships have been given out by the group. Those scholarships help provide quality educations to many students, primarily from Port Arthur, that will help them get good jobs that will support their families.

The other part of the PAIG’s mission, to reduce emissions, has been a great success story. This area, which was once on the list of polluted areas that faced sanctions that limited the ability to bring new industrial plants or expansions to the area, no longer faces sanctions. Today Port Arthur is in compliance with all clean air requirements.

By working together through the PAIG, the leaders of Port Arthur area industry are making an impact on this community beyond the obvious economic benefits. The Industrial Groups is a true example of building a better community by working together.