Page 74 - FDI Alliance International Magazine Summer 2020 Digital Interactive Issue

will be built into four lanes. These two projects that
connect will allow an easier transportation of goods
serving as an easier port and Brian Beach access.
In an Expansion Solutions Magazine article featuring is rapidly expanding to take advantage of the new
Freeport, Texas, I emphasized that ‘Freeport market and has recently added a master-planned, What is not keeping pace with industrial growth…
Stayed Open for Business’, and to this day the 288-acre rail-served logistic park that is shovel- is the development of housing and retail.
city is still open – despite the challenges of the ready with soil stabilized and rail installed.
Covid-19 Pandemic and its effect on businesses. Freeport used to be known for its shrimping fleets;
The City of Freeport functions well and staffing The City’s industrial base continues to grow however, over time along with fluctuations in the
has not stopped. Although we the city faced many attracting thousands of highly qualified employees economy the industry disappeared. Compounding
challenges, business of all types continues to to the industrial complexes; thus, the daytime the loss of the shrimping industry, sister cities
operate, and opportunities are available to those population within a few miles of downtown along nearby highways grew along with their retail
that want the opportunity to pursue Freeport. mushrooms to well over 75,000 people. This is businesses and new housing markets that were
boon for Freeport’s and surrounding cities, retailers traditionally located in Freeport.
Due to our location along the Gulf of Mexico and restaurants, as they take advantage of the
within the Houston MSA, the City of Freeport success and expansion of its manufacturing base. Like any aging community that did not keep up with
continues to attract industrial companies looking the change in the economy eventually led to a loss of
for a location in a community with a deep-water Investment of infrastructure continues to be a retail development in Freeport’s downtown district
port. To that end, Port Freeport is deepening its priority with the Texas Department of Transportation and to some degree on its major transportation
channel to 56 feet and will allow larger Panamax expanding Highway 36 into a four-lane highway corridors. Fast forward from the robust days in the
ships traveling from Asian markets through the through Freeport to I-69, which is currently under 1960 to now has shown a sharp decline in retail
Panama Canal to access these facilities. construction in certain segments. The bridge on throughout the city. There is no good reason for this
FM 1495 along the Brazos River into downtown to have occurred due to the number of residents
Freeport’s Gulf of Mexico location is one of the is scheduled to be demolished and rebuilt starting and daytime population in Freeport, other than
deepest areas and highly accessible. Port Freeport at the end of this year. The former two-lane bridge who had a hand on the tiller guiding Freeport.

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