Michael Looney Speaks to Chamber of Commerce on Economic Development

SAN ANGELO, TX – The head of economic development Michael Looney gave an update on the economic development in Tom Green County to the Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday.

Looney's speech was directed towards the industrial side of development. He highlighted the six new industries that have been brought into San Angelo. The oilfield companies that were discussed were Dragon, United States Well Service, Clean Fleet, and SMC Oilfield Chemicals. Caron Transportation and the Special Materials Company have also opened in the past two years.

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A reason why these companies are being brought in to town is due to the 104 people that have been deputized to recruit businesses. Their goal is to not to bring jobs in volume, but to build the wealth per household in San Angelo. Looney told the chamber that he believes that in doing things that way will lead to a higher income per household as well as strengthen the community as a whole.

The economic impact that the development committee has in the 2018 year totaled out at $71,000 and 436 new or retained businesses in San Angelo. The committee is also in the works of bringing three solar powered factories to come into town as well as trying to upgrade to an enhanced freight rail service.

Another big takeaway form the address was the additions to the San Angelo Regional Manufacturers Alliance. The database which contains over 110 companies is helping them become "an army of manufactures, fabricators, and energy service providers that are the backbone of the economy."

SARMA and the economic development committee is able to bring in companies from around the region, but the main goal for the upcoming future is to bring in companies who are succeeding on the national stage.