Former U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson (podium) reacts with humble surprise when told that the La Quinta Trade Gateway Corridor has been renamed for her. The presentation was made at The State of the Port luncheon in Corpus Christi, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s biggest fundraising event of the year. Photo by Suzanne Freeman
The state of the Port of Corpus Christi is good, the Coastal Bend economy is thriving and former U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson can still be surprised. More than 1,000 people attended the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s State of the Port luncheon August 17 as commission chair Judy Hawley gave a State of the Port presentation.
The event, which was held at the Solomon P. Ortiz Center, began with a digital presentation of the current status and projected future growth of the port. It ended with the presentation of a street sign to Hutchinson, who is currently senior counsel for Bracewell & Giuliani, LLP. La Quinta Trade Gateway Corridor has been renamed Kay Bailey Hutchinson Rd.
“I have not been so surprised by anything in my life,” Hutchinson said. “I’m pretty speechless.”
The renaming was done in honor of Hutchison’s efforts over the last 20 years to promote growth in the port.
“We would not have La Quinta Ship Channel if not for this lady,” Hawley said of Hutchinson. “She went to bat for us over and over again. La Quinta Gateway happened because of her tenacity.”
Every dignitary in the room will be needed to continue that work, Hawley said in her presentation.
“The days of federal earmarks are gone,” she said. “All of us will need all of our collective political muscle working together to secure the funding for the deepening and widening of the ship channel, hopefully this next year.”
Federal matching funds for 50 percent of a $300 million project have been authorized and await congressional appropriation, which Hawley hopes happens by the end of the year.
The other $150 million will come from the port, Hawley said. The money will be used to widen parts of La Quinta and dredge it to a 52 foot depth. It is currently at 45 feet. The work will enable bigger ships with heavier cargo in and out of the port.
“The commission’s challenge is to anticipate and provide the infrastructure needed by port users,” Hawley said. “Ships are getting bigger, and customers are being able to realize cost savings by using larger vessels with increased cargo value.”
Dredging to 52 feet will allow most of the worlds’ largest ships to enter La Quinta. An expanded canal will also enable ships to maneuver better and more safely.
Hawley called the La Quinta infrastructure project the most critical need currently facing the port and the local economy.
“What happens to the state of the port affects the entire Coastal Bend,” she said, unveiling projections for additional tax revenue expected to end up in the coffers of local government jurisdictions over the next two decades.
“Additional tax revenues provided by new industries over the next 10 years is expected to reach $1.3 billion,” she said. “Additional revenue in the subsequent decade is expected to reach $2.5 billion. Thanks to our new regional partners, the economy of the Coastal Bend is thriving.”
