Local businesses wanting to provide goods and services to the $10 billion steam cracker plant being built in San Patricio County have until June 30 to submit a pre-screening application. The ExxonMobil plant, which is expected to go on line in 2021, formed Gulf Coast Growth Ventures to facilitate the contracting process for both construction and operations. GCGV recently expanded its Local Business Initiative to include Nueces County. 
The Local Business Initiative is a program designed to connect local businesses with opportunities and work. An expert contract screening company, Veriforce, has been hired to handle the application process.
GCGV will cover Veriforce application fees incurred by eligible applicants in San Patricio and Nueces counties. Businesses in counties adjacent to San Patricio County are encouraged to apply but will be responsible for paying fees. 
A list of pre-qualified applicants will be submitted to the project’s Engineering, Procurement and Construction contractors after the June 30 deadline. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, before the deadline.
“Businesses that successfully complete the pre-screening process will receive priority consideration,” reads the instructions on GCGV’s website.
The process begins online at www.gulfcoastgv.com/local-business-initiative. 
For onsite and construction work, companies and individuals should apply here. 
Businesses and vendors interested in providing off-site work or services such as administrative, office equipment or supplies, audio/visual, sign printing or catering should apply here. 
A partnership between ExxonMobil and Saudi Arabia Basic Industries Corp., the ethylene plant is expected to create 600 permanent full-time jobs along with 11,000 constructions jobs. It will be the largest plant of its kind in the world, producing the components used to create plastic products such as water bottles, clothing and construction materials.
San Patricio County was chosen as the location for the plant after the company vetted four different areas, including Victoria and two in Louisiana.