TGB Group Was Proud to Be a Bronze Sponsor at the 2022 Ports to Plains Annual Conference

The Ports to Plains Alliance is working for all of us

Speaker at the 2022 Ports to Plains Annual Conference

Mark Willis, executive director of the Big Spring Economic Development Corporation, speaks at the 2022 Ports to Plains Annual Conference.

Some of our TGB Group team had a fantastic time at the 2022 Ports to Plains Annual Conference, held in Big Spring, Texas, Sept. 14-16.

We heard from a large number of speakers who, like all of us, support the mission of the Ports to Plains Alliance: to advocate for a robust international transportation infrastructure to promote economic security and prosperity throughout North America’s energy and agricultural heartland, including Mexico to Canada.

In the 1990s, civic and elected leaders in Lubbock, Texas, had a goal of improving U.S. 87/287 north and south of I-27 between Amarillo, Texas, and Lubbock.  The objective was to increase the economic benefits of trade and create more trade opportunities.

Today, there are three High Priority Corridors designated by the federal government and covering more than 2,300 miles.

The 2022 Ports to Plains Annual Conference was a prime learning experience

TGB Group and many other businesses in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Colorado are 100-percent behind the expansion and continued development of the Ports to Plains Corridor.  The corridor begins in Laredo, Texas, and winds through the above-mentioned states before it finally meets up with the Heartland Expressway.  The expressway continues through northern Colorado, Nebraska and Wyoming.  Finally, the Theodore Roosevelt Expressway runs from Rapid City, S.D., through parts of North Dakota and Montana.

Everyone who attended the 2022 Ports to Plains Annual Conference enjoyed hearing the wealth of information presented and renewing friendships with colleges they may not have seen since the last conference.

The Ports to Plains Corridor is beneficial in so many ways.  Based on 2018-19 numbers, the corridor serves:

  • 5 of the top 15 wind-generation states
  • 27% of the ethanol refineries in America
  • 6 of the 10 states producing the most natural gas
  • 7 of the 15 highest oil-producing states
  • 7 of the top 10 farm states for land on farms
  • 3 of the top 10 farm states in the production of all farm commodities

Attending the 2022 Ports to Plains Annual Conference reminded us of how important the corridor is for a lot of people and businesses in areas along the route.  We’re very happy that the corridor is now federally designated, and we stand behind the Ports to Plains Alliance as it continues to strive for more economic development, jobs and prosperity in the areas the corridor serves.

The TGB Team