| BRIDGE CITY, TEXAS -- COMMUNITY PROFILE --Building Bridges Together. Forging Futures Together-- Information compiled by The Bridge City Chamber of Commerce 150 W. Roundbunch Bridge City, Texas 77611-2522 409-735-5671 Fax: 409-735-7017 Updated June 28, 2006 Chamber: bcchamber@sbcglobal.net Website: www.bridgecitychamber.org City: www.bridgecitytex.com School district: www.esc05.k12.tx.us/bcisd COMMUNITY Bridge City, the “Golden Link to the Triangle” is located on the west bank of Cow Bayou adjacent to Sabine Lake & the Neches River. The amount of surface water in Bridge City is 0.626 square kilometers. Sabine Lake is a 78- square mile saltwater lake opening into the Gulf of Mexico. At the south end of town is the scenic Rainbow Bridge, the south’s tallest bridge. The bridge’s 177-foot clearance height resulted from requirements that any U.S. Navy ship could pass under it. The sister span is the Veteran’s Memorial Bridge, the first cable-stayed suspension bridge in the state of Texas. At the north end of town are double bridges crossing Cow Bayou on Highway 87 (The Cow Bayou Bridge) and a smaller steel bridge on East Roundbunch at the east entrance. The community’s name changed from Prairie View to Bridge City in 1941 after the school district consolidated and needed a new name, thus the community was renamed also. The city is located at latitude 30.030751; longitude –93.834077 or 30.02 degrees north of the equator and 93.85 degrees west of the prime meridian. With the addition of a second Neches River bridge & with the extension of Highway FM 1442 (W. Roundbunch) to link Bridge City with Interstate-10, it is no wonder that Bridge City is one of the highest growth spot in Orange County. The city of Orange is the county seat, one of 254 counties in the state. The county is home to the state’s busiest Travel Information Center on IH-10 that opened May 12, 2000 (at the TX-LA border). The new center was built along the Blue Elbow Swamp. Bridge City is centrally located on Hwy. 87/73 in the MSA of Orange, Port Arthur and Beaumont (The Golden Triangle) with major highway connections to Interstate-10, Hwy. 62, FM 105, FM 408 & FM1006 (to local refinery- Chemical Row), and is intersected by FM 1442. One should use exit #869 off IH-10 and take FM1442 ten miles south to Bridge City. It has access to the Port of Orange and the Port of Port Arthur, Sabine River and Intracoastal Canal. The Golden Triangle region got the name from the proliferation of refineries in the three cities of Beaumont, Port Arthur & Orange (forming a triangle). The refineries used yellow lights, and at night, all you could see was their golden glow. The 2000 census showed an 8% growth to 8,651 with continued development outside city limits. The estimated 2003 census is 8,701. An ample supply of vacant residential building sites remains available. Several new multi- family developments have occurred within the past five years. Continued growth will likely increase demand for residential support facilities such as doctors, dentists, restaurants, retail shops, etc. Thus, the economic climate is favorable for future development. The market area of 7 ½ miles is 43,565 includes city limits & outskirts, Orangefield, McLewis and south of Vidor. The Bridge City-Orangefield population is 15,804. Within a 3-mile range the population is 12,253. Other towns in Orange County include Orange, Mauriceville, Vidor, Rose City, West Orange, Little Cypress, and Orangefield & Pine Forest. Bridge City is considered a “bedroom community” where residents may work in another city/county but live, pay taxes and spend most of their income in their resident city. Area residents find ample job opportunities in the industrial, medical, schools and government fields. Recently built correctional facilities in Jefferson County contribute significantly to the local economy and have served to help diversify the area economic base. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ CITY GOVERNMENT SERVICES “Building Bridges Together” is the official motto of Bridge City adopted by the Chamber of Commerce and City Council in 1995. The city operates under a city manager/council form of government with a mayor & six councilmen & is governed by a Home Rule Charter adopted in 1974. There are 5.69 square miles within the city limits with 362 square miles in Orange County. The city was incorporated in July 1970 and has realized steady, aggressive growth. In 1993 the city implemented a unified development code. They are currently working on a new master plan. Zoning ordinances regulate property uses within the city. They vary from residential to commercial and are generally found in well-defined neighborhoods that stimulate both residential and commercial growth. The C-3 zoning provides for a variety of commercial uses. Neighborhood land uses consist of usage for retail, professional office space, grocery stores, banking, and recreational and church facilities. The city’s website www.bridgecitytex.com all utilities are available to properties within the city limits. Anyone planning a major development would be advised to verify with city officials, 409-735-6801. Recent capital investments include a new water tower on FM 408 with another in the planning stage; a new city park with expansions expected and police occupy a new station. City operates community center (75’x100’) with seating capacity of approx. 300 with adjoining 15 acres that has a softball field and 4 Little League fields, Pop Warner football field. www.myteam.com . Park & pavilion completed 2001 & adjacent to library, & community center. To rent the community center or sr. citizen center, 409-735-6801. City council meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month, 6:00 p.m. at City Hall, 260 Rachal Street. 735-6801. www.bridgecitytex.com Annual Budget: $7,022,945 (2002-2003) General Operating Expenses: $4,532,953 Water/sewage Revenue: $1,547,146 Bonded Indebtedness: $5,900,000 ___________________________________________________________________________________________ SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER Senior citizen hall, 105 Parkside Drive, next to the Community Center. Meals are available daily as well as activities for senior citizens. Take-out meals & rides by calling 735-7773 9am-1pm www.bridgecitytex.com/sr.html ___________________________________________________________________________________________ TERRAIN Bridge City is in Flood Zones A, B & C as determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Zone A encompasses the areas in close proximity to Cow Bayou and Sabine Lake that is subject to the coastal flooding effects from the Gulf of Mexico. Flood Zone B is an area of moderate flood hazard subject to flooding of depts. Less than one foot and Zone C is an area of minimal hazard. The area’s physical features consist of large grassy plains of extensive flat coastal prairie land. Terrain generally level with elevations from 5-8’ above sea level at mean low tide. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ _ CLIMATE & WEATHER SERVICES www.weather.gov Local weather office: www.srh.noaa.gov/lch/ The climate is a mixture of tropical and temperate zones with southerly breezes off Sabine Lake and the Gulf of Mexico. Winters are very moderate with an average temperature of 68 degrees. Yearly rang between 20 and 100 degrees with January average of 45 degrees and July 90 degrees. Snowfall and sleet are rare in this area and the sun shines about 60% of the time. The average growing time of approximately nine months. Average rainfall is 53 inches. Elevation is 5’-8’ above sea level. The National Weather Service radar (official government site) is located in Lake Charles, La. www.srh.noaa.gov and covers Orange, Jefferson, Hardin, Jasper, Tyler & Newton counties as well as all of Louisiana. __________________________________________________________________________________________ DISASTER ALERTS Disaster coordinator for Bridge City is Police Chief Steve Faircloth. In the event of a disaster, contact the American Red Cross-Orange Chapter, 908 W. Pine St. Orange, TX. 883-2322, 1-800-662-2531 www.redcross.org/tx/orange or disaster coordinator Janie Peveto at pevetoj@usa.redcross.org. The NOAA (National Weather Service Radio Stations) 162.475MHz broadcast the latest information on a continuous basis-24 hours. Important information & official bulletins will be made to local radio & TV stations. When ordered to evacuate, do not return until official bulletins declare it advisable to do so. National Hurricane Center (NHC) online www.nhc.noaa.gov Orange County implemented a FirstCall Community Alerting System April 2002 to alert up to 6,000 homes at one time about a potential emergency/evacuating situation. Sheriff’s department handles the system. Select representatives of governmental departments & industrial facilities have the ability to activate the Community Alerting System when the community needs to be advised of a situation. As soon as the system is activated, citizens within the impacted area will receive a telephone call notifying the resident of the event & what precautions are recommended. The message is repeated twice. Once the situation has been resolved, residents will receive an all-clear message. If you have an unlisted telephone number or wish to designate an alternate telephone number you need to contact the Orange County Emergency Management Coordinator, 2520 S. Hwy. 87, Orange, TX. 77630 AMERICAN RED CROSS Assist with: Utilities for the needy First Aid & CPR Classes Disaster Services & Education 409-883-2322 or toll free 1-800-662-2531 908 W. Pine St. Orange, TX. Plan to build new facility on MLK, Jr. Drive to better serve Entire County ___________________________________________________________________________________________ BRIDGE CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY The Bridge City Public Library, a 2,500 square foot facility, opened in March 1991, 101 Parkside Drive just off W. Roundbunch adjacent to the Community Center. The library hosts 20,000 volumes and is a member of Houston Area Library System (HALS) Hours are Monday-Wednesday, 10 am-6 pm, Thursday, 1-7 p.m. Friday 9am-2pm. Anyone in Orange County may use the library at no charge, it does not cost for a library card. Phone # 409-735- 4242. A summer reading program & story time is sponsored by The Friends of the Bridge City Public Library each Wednesday during summer. www.bridgecitytex.com/library.html ___________________________________________________________________________________________ POLICE Police department made up of 13 policemen, includes a Chief of Police. The department operates with six police cruisers & has 24-hour dispatching with all the necessary equipment to handle 911-emergency calls. Station-2290 Texas Avenue (Hwy. 87) 409- 735-5028. www.bridgecitytex.com/bcpd.html. Average response time-less than one minute. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ _ PHONE EXCHANGE Phone service is proved by Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. & other companies with its exchange able to reach more toll-free communities in the Golden Triangle area than any other phone exchange. The (409) 734, 735, 738, 697, 792, exchanges can reach Orange, West Orange, Pinehurst, Little Cypress, Mauriceville, Vidor, Duncan Woods, McLewis, Nederland, Port Neches, Port Arthur, Port Acres, Groves and Orangefield. These communities are in two different counties. Phone books are available at the Chamber of Commerce office, 150 W. Roundbunch. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ FIRE DEPARTMENT The Bridge City Volunteer Fire & Rescue, an agent of the Orange County Emergency Service District #2, serves Bridge City totaling 75 square miles within fire district. Average response time within city limits is less than 5 minutes. Department consists of 40 + members. Operates out of a 10-bay fire central station houses (4 dispatchers) 24-hour dispatch, is emergency generator equipped, contains complete police dispatch back-up system. Will remodel Orangefield station. Department has two 1500 gpm pumpers, one 2000 gpm pumper w/foam capacity, one 2000 gpm 75’ aerial, one 2000 gal. tanker, one of the only fully equipped heavy duty rescue truck in South East Texas , one hummer brush truck, one 4wd pickup, one 2003 F350 Brush Truck , 2 boats & one wet-bike. To reduce the insurance premiums paid by residents & businesses, the dept. has worked with the State Board of Insurance & local insurance agencies to effect changes prescribed by the new ISO rate system recently imposed by the government. “Inside” city limits fire insurance ISO rating is 5, “Outside” city limits ISO rating is 9. Services include: Fire, Basic EMS, Haz-Mat, Search & Rescue, and Extrication. Basic EMTS 4 Intermediate Trained EMTs 3 Paramedic 1 The Central Station is located at 330 Bland Street, 409-735-2419 non-emergencies #. The firemen belong to Sabine Neches Chiefs Association, Orange County Firemen’s Association, East Texas Firemen & Fire Marshals Association, and Texas Firemen & Fire marshals Association. www.fire-ems.net/firedept/view/BridgeCityTX ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ORANGE COUNTY www.co.orange.tx.us Orange County provides sheriff protection for residents outside the city limits of Bridge City and maintains all roads outside the city limits. Commissioner John Dubose 735-7163 Precinct #3 County Airport & Emergency Coordinator 882-7895 Chuck Frazier County Clerk Karen Jo Vance 882-7055 mgilbert@co.orange.tx.us County Courthouse 883-7740 801 Division Street, Orange, Texas 77630 County Judge Carl Thibodeaux 882-7070 Phone for commissioner’s court Flood Control 745-1410 Sammy Owens sowens@co.orange.tx.us Justice of the Peace Pct. #3 735-8133 Judge Janice Menard as of 1/1/03 Mosquito Control 883-5717 Patrick Beebe Orange County Attorney John Kimbrough 882-7084 jkimbrough@co.orange.tx.us Orange County Drainage District 745-5766 Wilbert Duhon Orange County Historical Commission 886-1312 Dr. Howard Williams Precinct #3 Constable John Ford (pager) 734-5332 www.co.orange.tx.us/OCConstablePrecinct3.htm Sheriff Mike White 883-7545 ocso2@co.orange.tx.us Tax Assessor Collector 882-7974 Lynda Gunstream Veterans Administration 745-1602 Jerry Childress Voter Registration www.coorange.tx.us/voterweb/home.htm Orange County, FIPS CODE 48361, is the 34th largest of the 254 counties in Texas. County seat is Orange. It is a Metro county, which lies within the Southeast Texas JTPA service delivery area and the South East Texas Quality Workforce Planning region, administered by the Southeast Texas Quality Workforce. County consists of 359 square miles. There are several pipelines (from the local refinery) that criss-cross the community. Pipelines are normally buried and are not usually visible. In most cases, a line marker is placed as near to the center of the pipeline as possible. These markers are there as a warning & to help the company monitors the pipelines. The marker lists the name and telephone number where the company can be reached 24 hrs. A day 1-800-530-1050. In 1991 there were 46 licensed physicians in the county with a population to physician ratio of 1,864 residents per physician. The statewide average in 1991 was 565. Bridge City boasts of 9 doctors, 4 dentists, 2 chiropractors & 4 dentists in the community. __________________________________________________________________________________________ --EDUCATION-- BRIDGE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT www.esc05.k12.tx.us/bcisd The Bridge City Independent School District was established in 1941 when Prairie View and Winfree school districts consolidated. The school year provides 177 days of instruction and teachers are under contract 187 days per year, which includes 10 staff development days. The Bridge City ISD has five school campuses: Hatton Elementary (PreK-K), Sims Elementary (1-2); BC Intermediate (3-5), BC Jr. High, (6-8) and BC Sr. High (9-12). The district serves a 63.92 square mile portion of the county. The district employs approximately 400 in all areas of operation. The school board meetings are held the 3rd Monday of the month, 7:00 p.m. Hatton Elem. School, 1035 W. Roundbunch. The superintendent is Sam Lucia. Superintendent office 735-1602 BCISD business office 735-1604 E.E. Sims Elementary School 735-1700 Roy M. Hatton Elementary 735-1600 Bridge City Intermediate 792-8800 Bridge City Middle School 735-1513 Bridge City Sr. High 735-1501 Senior citizens in BCISD get a $10,000 exemption on their taxes once they turn 65 years old. BCISD is the only school district in Orange County that gives this local “additional” tax relief. The state mandates another $10,000 exemption. Once you reach 65 yrs, the first year school taxes are frozen with the ceiling cap met at that year. District annual budget (2004-05): $19,373,188 # students 2004-2005: 2,589 Total expenditures per pupil: $6,013.00 Avg. teacher salary: $35,955 The Board of Trustees of the Bridge City Independent School District called for a bond election on Monday, July 16, 2001. The election was set for Saturday, September 29, 2001. A $19,675,000.00 school bond election passed on September 29, 2001 to build a new high school and the following renovations. New high school $11,900,000 Renovate Jr. High cafeteria for vocational dept. $580,000 Renovate Jr. High band/choir for theater arts/drama $350,000 Renovate Jr. High girl’s gym for high school PE gym $450,000 Renovate high school athletic stadium $380,000 Renovate old vocational building for high school athletic fac. $690,000 Renovate band hall $80,000 Renovate existing high school for new Jr. High $3,300,000 Renovate Jr. High P.E. gym $650,000 Renovations at BC Intermediate School $240,000 (fencing, driveways) Renovate operation dept/Maint, Transp/Food Serv $400,000 With the passing of the bond election, funding for the renovations at Hatton and Sims Elementary Schools will be taken from the current budget at no additional tax increase to the community. Renovate Hatton Elem. (all central office staff will be relocated at this campus) $2,600,000 Renovate Sims Elementary $1,800,000 Mean SAT Score Class of 2004 966 # Students in the District 2,661 2004- 2005 Mean ACT Score Class of 2004 20.0 # Students per Teacher 14.7 Average class size Elementary 22.0 Average sizes: Secondary 21.8 Education cost per pupil: $6,013.00 Annual dropout rate: 1.7% It is the policy of BCISD to transport all students to the school they attend regardless of the distance. A certified librarian is assigned to each campus. Extra-curricular activities, for boys and girls include football, basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, track, tennis and golf. Music activities include a band program that begins at 6th grade and choral music at elementary level. Students can participate in Literary and Academic contests. These actives are sponsored by the District and governed according to rules of the University Interscholastic League (UIL). As of April 16, 2004 Elementary: 2 (Hatton Pe-K. through Kindergarten; Simms First through Third Grade) Teachers: 43.9 Enrollments: 641 Intermediate: 1 (Grades Third through Fifth) Teachers: 41.2 Enrollments: 558 Middle: 1 (Grades Sixth through Eighth) Teachers: 38.6 Enrollments: 636 High School: 1 (Ninth through Twelfth) Teachers: 52.2 Enrollments: 754 PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN W/DIABILITIES Referral for a preschool child who may have a developmental delay or disability may be made to the Special Education Dept. of BCISD. Parents of a child with suspected physical, emotional, or learning disability should contact the special ed. Office at 735-1628 for information. To quality for special education services, the child must be referred, evaluated, & found to have a disability. To be eligible for special education services, the child must live in the school district & be at least 3 yrs. Of age at the time services begin. Services are also available from birth for a child who is deaf, blind or deaf/blind. FIRST STEPS-Early Children Intervention-Orange County 409-784-5435 HEADSTART PROGRAM-Orange County-North Early Learning Center- 409-832-5434 SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES IN TEXAS- for individuals who have a disability such as learning; hearing; emotional disturbance; mental retardation; multiple disabilities; speech impairments; physical disabilities; visual impairments’ traumatic brain injury and autism. _________________________________________________________________________________________ ORANGEFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICT Orangefield School board meets the 4th Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at the Orangefield Administration Building, FM 105, P.O. Box 228, Orangefield, TX 77639, 409-735-5337. The school district covers 67 square miles of mostly rural area in the south-central part of Orange County about 4 miles from Bridge City. It has three campuses; high school, Jr. High school and elementary. Superintendent is Mike Gentry. The Orangefield ISD was formulated in 1925 with the combination of Oil Field Community, the Granger School & the Oilla School. It is fully accredited by the TX. Education Agency operates a totally integrated system of schools PreK-12. There are approx. 1,630 students. Orangefield ISD has received the “recognized” accountability/accreditation rating each year for its schools. A wide variety of academic levels are offered to the students. Programs for special education, gifted and talented, at-risk & regular instructions are offered. A complete college preparatory program is available to students. PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS *Chamber of Commerce members *First Baptist Pre-Kindergarten Bridge City 735-3583 150 students *Kid’s Safari Day Care & Preschool Bridge City 738-3100 20 students Community Christian School Orange 883-4531 K-12th grades St. Mary’s Catholic School Orange 883-8913 K-8th grades First Presbyterian Day School Orange 883-4116 Pre-school _________________________________________________________________________________________ HIGHER EDUCATION Lamar University is a member of The Texas State University System. Lamar University-Beaumont welcome more than 8,000 students to its 270 acre campus each fall for studies in majors leading to 76 different bachelor’s degrees, 33 master’s degrees or doctorates in engineering or deaf education. It has one of the lowest student-to- faculty ratios of any state school in Texas. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board ranks Lamar University fifth in the state in terms of contact hours between freshman and sophomore full-time students and facility with Ph.D.s. Lamar University –Beaumont, 4400 MLK Parkway, Beaumont, 409-880-7011 www.lamar.edu . Lamar State College-Orange, Texas, is a two year lower division component of the Texas State University System, located at 410 Front Street, 409-883-7750, 1-800-884-7750 www.orange.lamar.edu. Offers students both an academic transfer curriculum and a variety of high-quality vocational, technical programs. Additionally, non-credit classes and training opportunities are provided for the continuing education of community members and the customized training needs of local business and industry. LSC-O has strong instructional, student services and community service missions. Lamar Institute of Technology, 855 E. Lavaca, Beaumont, 409-880-8321, 1-800-950-6989, is a two-year technical institution which offers certificates on completion or associate of applied science degrees in 23 program areas. Its Workforce Training Department offers customized and skills development training for business and industry. www.theinstitute.lamar.edu Lamar State College-Port Arthur, 1500 Procter St. Port Arthur, 409-983-4921, 1-800-477-5872 www.pa.lamar.edu ABC-Associated Builders and Contractors of Southeast Texas, industrial school training to work in petrochemical, 2700 N. Twin City Highway, Nederland, TX. 409-724-7886, www.abcsetex.org _________________________________________________________________________________________ SCHOOLS FOR EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN Bob Hope Vocational High School 983-3244 Port Arthur Orange County Association for Retarded Children 886-1363 Orange First Step Childhood Program 735-3576 Bridge City (Free services to children who are delayed in their development or are born with a medical problem that is likely to cause a delay) ___________________________________________________________________________________________ --CENSUS-- POPULATION 2000 1990 Bridge City 8,651 8,034 Orange County 84,966 80,509 Bridge City-Orangefield area 15,452 Other cities in Orange County: Mauriceville 2,743 2,046 Vidor 11,440 10,935 Orange 18,643 19,370 Deweyville 1,190 1,218 __________________________________________________________________________________________ POPULATION WITHIN 3-5-7 ½ MILE RADIUS OF CENTER OF BRIDGE CITY- (Which is Hwy. 87 @FM 1442) 3.0 Miles 5.0 Miles 7.5 Miles Total Population 12,253 15,804 43,565 Median Age 37 37 37 Total Households 4,859 6,186 18,264 Avg. household income $52,324 $53,412 Median House Income $42,111 $42,872 $37,674 POPULATION BY AGE 0-4 562 5-14 1,323 15-24 1,269 25-44 2,437 45-64 1,997 65 + 1,063 RACE & ETHNICITY City: White 95.31% Black .22% American Indian .08% Asian 1.34% County: White 88% Black 8.4% American Indian 0.6% Asian 0.8% _________________________________________________________________________________________ CENSUS TRACT STATISTICS Median age of resident 42 Median # persons per household 2.6 Total dwellings, 77611 5,860 Business listings 77611 zip code 395 Median years school completed 11.8 % married couple households 27 % # Live below poverty level (1990) 785 Single-family poverty level $8,860 per year (With 1 or more person under 18 years of age) Source: Cole Directory Golden Triangle & Vacinity-2004 Edition HOUSEHOLD INCOME Information provided by www.DemographicsNow.com 2004 per capita income $17,853.00 2004 median household income $43,153.00 2004 average household income $48,379.00 2004 average home value $64,000.00 __________________________________________________________________________________________ --EMPLOYMENT-- CIVILIAN LABOR FORCE as of April 2003 Provided by Texas Workforce Commission Bridge City Orange County Labor force 4,096 40,911 Employed 3,724 36,823 Unemployed 372 4,088 Unemployment rate 9.1% 10% AVERAGE HOURLY WAGES Source: Texas Workforce Commission Occupation Entry High Average Auto Mechanic 9.34 14.44 11.85 Bookkeeper 9.10 14.47 12.25 Drill/Punch Oper. 7.97 14.50 9.61 Laborer 6.55 10.27 8.01 Receptionist 7.00 9.12 7.88 Registered Nurse 17.26 21.22 19.25 Truck Driver (light) 7.18 13.01 8.67 Secretary 7.36 11.94 9.25 Security Guard 5.94 8.93 6.67 Postal Carrier 17.09 20.14 18.62 Waiter/ Waitress 5.72 6.75 6.23 Welder 7.00 9.12 7.88 ___________________________________________________________________________________________ _ MAJOR EMPLOYERS IN BRIDGE CITY & ORANGEFIELD Bridge City Independent School District 323 Wal Mart Discount Store 112 Market Basket Grocery Store 100+ Entergy-Sabine Power Station 90 Pneumatic Industrial Services 100 Southeast Metal Works 65+ City of Bridge City 53 Burton Shipyard 40 Green Acres Development 40 Bridge City State Bank. 34 MAJOR EMPLOYERS IN AREA Corrections Complex mid Jefferson County Highway 69 Stiles Unit 409-722-5255 Opened 6-1993 1,000 employees LeBlanc Unit 409-724-1515 Opened 6-1994 256 employees Larry Gist State Jail 409-727-8400 Opened 6-1994 509 employees Jefferson County State School 409-724-6388 Opened 7-1995 303 employees Federal Bureau Prisons 409-727-8187 907 employees Orange Area A. Schulman Akrotex Films Ausimont USA, Inc. Bayer Corporation Phillips Chevron Chem. Cloren Inc. Crumpler Shipbuilding DuPont-Sabine River Works Firestone Polymers Honeywell Inland Paperboard Orange Shipbuilding Rescar Inc. Sneed Shipbuilding TX. Polymer Services Port Arthur-Beaumont Area ATOFINA BASF Corp. C.A. Turner Const. Chevron Chemical DuPont-Bmt. Works Equistar Chemicals Exxon-Mobil Great Lakes Carbon Huntsman Petrochem. Motiva Enterprises Premcor-Clark Refining U.S. Intec EMPLOYEMENT RATIOS Distribution of Orange County Agriculture 135 Construction 1,943 Federal Government 147 Finance/Insurance/Real Estate 705 Manufacturing 5,970 Mining 318 Retail Trade 5,146 Services 5,091 State & Local Government 4,219 Transportation/Communication/ Public Utilities 954 Wholesale Trade 559 ________________________________________________________________________________________ --TAXES-- INCOME The state of Texas has NO personal income tax. AD VALEROM The Orange County Appraisal District Office, 9505 IH-10, 409-745-4777. The county tax office assess and collect taxes for the county, farm to market, city of Bridge City, and fire districts.(From appraisal district. each Sept) As of April 1, 2001 all property tax collection in Orange County were consolidated under one collection agency, The Orange County Tax Office. www.orangecad.org The following is the 2002 tax rate per $100 valuation for the city of Bridge City & Orangefield: PROPERTY TAX BRIDGE CITY *BCISD School tax 1.668700 City 0.594610 County 0.553020 Emergency District 2 0...93390 Port .0.010670 Drainage 0.115290 Lateral road 0.006440 *Senior citizens in BCISD get a $10,000 exemption on their taxes once they turn 65 years old. BCISD is the only school district in Orange County that gives this local “additional” tax relief. The state mandates another $10,000 exemption. Once you reach 65 yrs, the first year school taxes are frozen with the ceiling cap met at that year. PROPERTY TAX ORANGEFIELD School tax 1.58539 No city tax County .48788 Emergency District 2 .10000 Port .01250 Drainage .12160 Lateral road .00670 AVG. HOME MARKET VALUE AVG. TAX ACCESSED VALUE Within city limits Bridge City $86,904.00 $64,500.00 $92,220.00 outside city limits of Bridge City SALES TAX -RETAIL State 6.25% County .50% City 1.50% STATE FRANCHISE TAX Tax imposed on corporations that do business in Texas. The current rate on next taxable capital is 0.25% per year and the tax rate on net taxable earned surplus is 4.5 %. A corporation pays the tax on taxable capital or the tax on earned surplus, whichever is higher. ORANGE COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT P.O. Box 457 Orange, TX. 77631-0457 409-745-4777 Meet the 1st Thursday, once a quarter @ 6:00 p.m. orangecad@pnx.com Search their web site for value by name, address, etc. www.orangecad.org ___________________________________________________________________________________________ _ --TRANSPORTATION-- The average mean travel time to work for residents of Orange County is 22.1 minutes drive time. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION-ORANGE COUNTY RESIDENTS Used by anyone needing transportation for doctor’s visits, shopping, etc. Available 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. $3.00 fee to Port Arthur or Orange area. Need 24-hour notice. Handicap lift. 886-1783 MAJOR ROADS Bridge City is centrally located on 6-lane State Highways 87/73 and 2-lane Hwy. 62, connecting with Interstate 10 and FM 1442, 105 and 1006 (Chemical Row). It is located 10 miles south of IH10, an east-west freeway that stretches from Florida to Los Angles providing easy access to Houston and New Orleans. Hwy. 87 parallels the Texas-Louisiana border connecting the Bridge City area with Port Arthur, the Gulf of Mexico and Galveston to the south and to other cities in Southeast Teas and the lakes to the north. Hwy. 62 is another major north-south connecting with State Hwy. 96 in Buna. TRAFFIC COUNT (Major Intersections) Annual daily average count calculated twice a year with latest 12/2005. TXDOT, district office, traffic section, 409- 892-7311. *On Hwy. 87 N. of FM 1442 intersection 47,000 *On Hwy. 87 S. of FM 1442 intersection 24,000 *On Hwy. 87 S. of Hwy. 62 intersection 25,000 *On Hwy. 87. Just N. of 62 intersection 18,800 *On FM 1442, E. Hwy. 408 intersection 12,100 *On Hwy. 62 N. of Hwy. 87 intersection 15,200 *On IH-10 E. of Hwy. 62 intersection 53,000 PORTS & BARGE -LARGE BOAT TRAFFIC Cow Bayou Barge traffic Depth 13-15’ in channel 10-12’ at shoreline To have the bridge opened on Cow Bayou @ E. Roundbunch, page Orange County Bridge Tender, 792-2177 and he will be dispatched immediately to open the swing bridge. One-hour notice is requested. Phone at bridge site 735-4701. There is a 74 ft. clearance from the water to the high lines that cross the bayou at E. Roundbunch Bridge. Orange County Road and Bridge Department, 409-882-7905. To open the bridge on Cow Bayou @ Texas Ave. (Hwy. 87), call Texas Dept. of Transportation 883-3476. Taller of the 2 bridges-50 ft. clearance & flat bridge approx. 10 ft. clearance at high tide & approx. 16 ft. at low tide. Port of Orange 10 miles from B.C. Depth 30’ channel Gene Bouillon, Port Director P.O. Box 2410, Orange, and TX. 7763 409-883-4363 gboillion@portoforange.com www.portoforange.com Port is located 42 miles upstream from the Gulf of Mexico on the Sabine River. The Sabine River, a deep fresh water channel has a project depth of 30 feet, a bottom width of 200 feet & a turning basin of 1,000 ft by 3,000 ft. Port office located at 1201 Childers Road, Orange. Ships depend on its “safe harbor” from hurricanes and its fresh water to clean ship systems. Via Intracoastal Waterway Nautical Miles Hours Port Arthur 25 2 ½ Beaumont 32 3 Houston 145 20 Galveston 120 14 New Orleans 265 37 Port of Port Arthur 10 miles from B.C. Depth 40’ channel 19 miles from deep sea P.O. Box 1428 Port Arthur, TX. Floyd Gaspard, Port Director www.pernet.net/paport 5 berths Port of Beaumont 20 miles from B.C. P.O.Drawer 2297 Beaumont, TX. 77704 409-835-5367 Donald Allee, Port Dir. www.portofbmt.com RAIL Rail spurs off FM 1442 owned & operated by Entergy-Sabine Power Station. The Union Pacific spurs dead ends at the power plant. As of May, 2001 it is not being used and not maintained. No piggybacking/switching services Railroads in Orange County are Kansas City Southern, Sabine River & Northern Railroad and Union Pacific, Missouri Pacific. The nearest reciprocal and piggyback switching services are near Orange. BUS LINES Greyhound Bus Line 333 Lutcher Drive IH-10 & Business Hwy. 90 at Sun Mart Mobil 409-883-4353 Average 10 daily stops. Prepaid & collect freight www.greyhound.com MOTOR FREIGHT APL Limited Texas Gulf Express, Inc. No local terminals in city TRUCKING If traveling “from Bridge City”. Location & length of time goods are in transit. City Loaded Miles Days City Loaded Miles Days Houston 113 1 Kansas City 751 2 St. Louis 851 2 Chicago 1,098 2 New York City 1,561 3 Los Angeles 1,686 3 New Orleans 253 1 Dallas 319 1 Memphis 561 1 Atlanta 709 2 AIRPORTS Southeast Texas Regional Airport 722-0251 Highway 69 S. Nederland, Texas (Formerly Jefferson County Airport) http://co.jefferson.tx.us/setra/frames.htm Nearest Commercial airport. 5 flights a day to Houston & Dallas hubs. Airport is designated Foreign Trade Zone. Jerry Ware General Aviation Terminal, a private hanger park for lease for hanger & aviation related construction. FAA Air Traffic Control Tower Runway 6,751 ft. hard surface, paved, lighted runway Continental Express 722-7289 1-800-523-3273 Orange County Airport 883-6964 Highway 87-North www.co.orange.tx.us Runway 4,400 ft. paved Private flights Charter flights Houston Airports U.S. and International flights George Bush Intercontinental 281-230-3100 www.houstonairportsystem.org William P. Hobby Airport 713-640-3000 www.houstonairportsystem.org TRAIN Amtrak www.amtrak.com 1-800-872-7245 2555 W. Cedar St. Beaumont, Texas On line reservations, train departs/arrivals __________________________________________________________________________________________ --NEWCOMER, RELOCATION & GENERAL INFORMATION-- DISTANCE TO MAJOR U.S. CITIES Orange......... 6 miles Port Arthur............10 miles Beaumont......... 21 miles Houston....... 100 miles Austin...................260 miles San Antonio.......301 miles Dallas............. 300 miles El Paso.................875 miles New York...........1,531 miles Counties/Parishes in commuting distance Within 35 mile radius Jefferson & Newton Counties Cameron & Calcasieu Parishes CITY HALL Water/sewage/garbage 260 Rachal Street 409-735-6801 Turn off Texas Avenue (Hwy.87) at the US Post Office onto S. John Street. City hall is at the end of S. John to the left. Call for water hookups, garbage collection and city inspector or permits if building a new home. The city has citywide recycling. New residents are given a recycle bin to place at curbside. A deposit of $100 is required for new service of water, sewer and garbage. POTABLE WATER Ground water supplied by City of Bridge City From 4 underground wells Capacity of water plant: 2.5 mgpd Average daily consumption: .8 mgpd Pack consumption: 1.2 mgpd Storage capacity: 750,000 gallons Ground storage: 48,000 gallons Elevated storage: 700,000 gallons Pressure in mains: 40-50 psi Approx. 3,300 customers Orangefield Area Orangefield Water Supply Corporation From underground well. Request application & property easement at water supply office: 9913 FM 105 in Orangefield. P.O. Box 398, Orangefield, TX. 77639 Elevated well storage: 400,000 gallons Pumping capacity: 1,500 GMP or 2.16 million per day Average daily consump. 310,000 gallons Pressure in main: 65 psi Long side tap fee: $1,450.00 Short side tap fee: $1,200.00 Approx. 1,290 customers SEWER -Bridge City Activated sludge treatment plant Design capacity: 1.6 mgpd % of city served: 95% Average daily load: .8 mgpd Orangefield Water Supply Corp. has future plans to supply sewage to customers in their water service area in the next five years. REFUGE & TRASH COLLECTION Orange County no longer has a landfill. White goods (large appliances, etc) disposed of at the dumpsite on FM 1442 on Wednesdays from 7:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. The city has a large dumpster that residents may use on Tuesdays and Saturdays, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Must show driver’s license or water bill. Fee per load added to water bill. Trash collection outside city limits: Waste Management Allied Waste Services Nearest landfills: Allied Waste Services-Golden Triangle Landfill, LaBelle Road, Beaumont Newton County Landfill (Industrial waste & municipal solid waste) Hwy. 87, Deweyville Chemical waste disposal: Chemical Waste Management, Carlyss, Louisiana ELECTRICITY ENTERGY 1-800-368-3749 Average $150 minimum deposit is required (or 2 months estimated bill depending on size of home) or a letter of credit in lieu of deposit or co-signer. NATURAL GAS RELIANT ENTERGY -ENTEX 409-883-4336 1900 Strickland Dr. Orange Average deposit is $55 for homeowners and renters, based on annual average usage, OR pay 1/6 of annual comparison of last tenant. A $5 connection fee added to first month’s bill. A day notice for service is requested. ALTERNATE FUEL Propane for residential use outside city limits available w/Pro Am Propane, Hwy. 62 FIBER OPTICS Exchange fiber optics cable lines in right-of-way Texas Avenue (Hwy 87) & accessible to provide broadband data facilities. Southwestern Bell is the local provider & can provide end-to-end services via fiber optics depending on the capacity of telecommunication circuits needed by customers, determined on an individual basis. www.sbc.com TELEPHONE SBC 1-800-464-7928, residential service 1-800-485-1160 commercial service Rates for installation begin at $38.35 WI/additional costs based on inside wiring & jacks. All transactions are handled by phone. A deposit is not required by an application is taken to determine whether a $49.50 advance payment is necessary, based on previous credit or lack of credit. Advance payment is deducted from the first month’s bill. Average basic service is $12.60. Digital: Yes Analog: No Electro Mechanical: No Fiber Optics: Yes 911: Yes Switched 56 KBPS: Yes High capacity digital (T1): Yes Digital data services: Yes, ISD Make/model/software level: DMA-100 and AT&T Ess/1A Long distance companies: 40 different LD carriers CELL PHONE TOWERS 5 located in Bridge City Stark St. Glenn St. Mann St. Bessie Heights @ FM1442 Parker St. @ Ferry Dr. TEXAS WORKFORCE COMMISSION Filling for unemployment or looking for work 320 Green Ave. Orange, TX. 409-883-5646 www.twc.state.tx.us AUTOMOBILE REGISTRATION & TAGS For auto tags 409-882-7974 123 S. 6th Street Administration Building behind Orange County Courthouse All people who establish resident, or become engaged in gainful employment in Texas must register and title their vehicles in this state. Vehicles may be operated for 30 days, after which time immediate registration is required. Costs vary, depending on the vehicle’s make and model. Newcomers to the state also may pay a title fee and a new resident fee in addition to the title registration. Must show proof of auto liability insurance, current Texas inspection and social security number. TEXAS DRIVERS LICENSE Transfer licensees/or new license Highway 87 South @ corner of FM 105 409-883-0273 Whether you are new to the state, moving from another Texas City or just moving to another part of town you have 30 days to obtain a current Texas driver’s license. You must show proof of automobile liability insurance, social security card and if new to the state, show registration tags. Out of state persons must surrender physical license before receiving a Texas driver’s license for the first time. $24 for 6 years for anyone over 18 yr. of age. DISABLED PERSONS Parking permits available for $5 each at local county tax office, 801 Division St., Orange County Courthouse SOCIAL SECURITY If you are receiving society security benefits & have just moved, be sure to let S.S. Know of your new address, even if you use direct deposit. Social Security 1-800-772-1213 VOTER REGISTRATION If moved from another state or another county, you must pre-register. Orange County Courthouse 882-7973 1-800-252-VOTE Tax Assessor/Collector 801 Divisions St. Orange, TX.77630 To be eligible to vote, you must submit to the County Tax-Assessor/Collector a completed voter registration application at least 30 days before an election. If you change your name or address, you must notify the tax assessor/collector’s office 30 days prior to an election. You may vote in the precinct of a former address during the first 90 days after moving. You must vote in your precinct of residence. CITY MAPS Available at Bridge City Chamber of Commerce, 150 W. Roundbunch or at Bridge City Volunteer Fire Station, Corner of Bland & Roberts St. 409-735-2419, non emergency #. CHILD CARE *Kid’s Safari Day Care & Preschool 75 Ferry Drive 738-3100 *Chamber of Commerce member Just For Kids Day Care E. Roundbunch Apple Tree School FM 408, Orangefield Kidz World WOMEN, INFANTS, CHILDREN PROGRAM (WIC) & FOOD ASSISTANCE, etc. Distribute nutrition program for infants & children to 5 yrs/mother needs each Tuesday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. At 285 W. Roundbunch, Bridge City/Orangefield Ministerial Alliance office. Every Tuesday except 2nd Tuesday of the month. 883-6119 for details. Assistance provided by UTMB-Orange County. Assistance for needy families, only necessities for life available at Ministerial Alliance, Mon., Wed., Fri. 9 a.m.-Noon. PUBLIC HOUSING Public housing through the Housing Authority of Orange County, 205 Vidor Dr., Vidor, TX. 409-769-8739. Public housing assistance available after application is made. For list of HUD housing 800-590-6442 handled by Port Arthur Housing Authority FOOD COMMODITIES For low income families are given out the first Thursday of each month at the Bridge City Community Center, 105 Parkside Drive. A private citizen group collects & distributes. Center opens at 8:00 a.m. Also contact the Bridge City/Orangefield Ministerial Alliance from 9:00 a.m. to noon @ 735-8296 WESTERN UNION Located inside Market Basket 2005 Texas Avenue 735-3102 INTERNET SERVICE Exp/Data Recall 365 W. Roundbunch 735-7320 www.exp.net Time Warner 1860-F Bridge City 735-7979 www.gt.rr.com AT&T 555 Main Street, Beaumont 839-6002 www.sbcglobal.net CABLE TELEVISION Serving Bridge City Time Warner 727-1515 www.mytwcable.com 256 Strickland Drive Orange, Texas 883-4474 Serving Orangefield Cebring Cable toll free: 580-774-2288 875 North St. Vidor Interstate-10 Feeder Road between Bridge City & Vidor Outside City Limits Classic Cable Co. 1-800-999-6845 MAIL-PARCEL SERVICES Bridge City US Post Office 900 Texas Avenue 697-1883 www.usps.com Orangefield US Post Office Hwy. 408 697-1878 www.usps.com Also purchase stamps Market Basket 2005 Texas Ave. UPS drop offs www.ups.com Central Office Supply 1600 Texas Avenue Harrington’s Pharmacy 1910 Texas Avenue. Federal Express drop-off Bridge City Bank 701 W. Roundbunch Bridge City Post Office 900 Texas Avenue NEWSPAPERS DISTRIBUTED IN BRIDGE CITY *Chamber of Commerce Members *The Record Newspapers Weekly *Orange Leader Daily The Journal Weekly Beaumont Enterprise Daily Orange County News Weekly *Port Arthur News Daily MEDICAL FACILITIES *Chamber of Commerce Member *Baptist Herman Mem. Hospital 608 Strickland, Orange 409-883-9361 4 hospitals within 20 miles: Doctor’s Hospital, Groves; Park Place Hospital, St. Mary Hospital, Port Arthur Nearest medical lab Baptist Herman Memorial Hospital # beds: 646 Chiropractor 2 Clinics 4 Medical Doctors 7 Physical therapist 3 Dentist 5 Veterinarian 1 UT Medical Branch Orange County Community Health Center 10th St. @ Cordury St. In Orange, TX. HANDICAP ADULT FACILITY *Chamber of Commerce Member *Green Acres Development Cnt. 625 Meadowlawn 735-3528 REAL ESTATE & HOME BUILDERS *Chamber of Commerce Members Call Bridge City Chamber of Commerce for list for available land/commercial buildings 409-735-5671 *American Real Estate Mary Thibodeaux 409-883-0007 *David Olson, DDS Hunter’s Run Subdivision 409-735-4902 *Jerry Hughes Realty 365 W. Roundbunch 409-735-5500 *Mike Johnson Homes 409-735-3729 *ReMax First Bobbie Dugas 409-727-3999 *Re/Max Realty Service 1650 W. Roundbunch 409-738-3000 Residential house cost per sq. ft. $70.00-$72.00 new construction Average resident lot cost $15,500.00 Average commercial construction $65.00 per sq. ft. For resale Average commercial lot $45,000.00 __________________________________________________________________________________________ TEXAS STATE FACTS Bird: Mockingbird Stone: Petrified Palmwood Gem: Blue Topaz Tree: Pecan Flower: Bluebonnet Song: “Texas, Our Texas” Capital: Austin Dish: Chili Land area: 261,914 sq. miles Incorp. Cities: 1,196 Counties: 254 Texas entered the union on December 29, 1845 as the 28th state called The Lone Star State. MOBILE HOME PARKS *Chamber of commerce member *Stadium Village 350 Austin 735-3391 James Crump *Crump’s RV Park 1667 Texas Ave. 735-3391 James Crump Arnold’s Mobile Home Park Patillo Road at Gaylynn St. 735-7031 Bailey’s RV Park End of Lake St. |