Tag: Business park

  • TGB Group Hired for Port of Victoria Rail Infrastructure Project

    TGB Group Hired for Port of Victoria Rail Infrastructure Project

    Work to include a master plan for water, rail and highway transportation

    TGB Group has entered into an agreement for consulting services in the Port of Victoria rail infrastructure project. Our team will help the Port identify ways to develop rail infrastructure and operations along with other development efforts for land surrounding the port.

    We’ll begin by designing an industrial and rail-centric master plan for the property with the overall concept of a multi-modal facility offering transportation by water, rail and highway. When the plan is complete, we’ll work with the Port to outline the next steps to take to further the development of rail operations while considering building additional infrastructure.

    Port of Victoria Rail Infrastructure Project Specs

    The Port turning basin area is situated on more than 2,000 acres and is served by rail and four-lane divided highways.

    POV Dock No. 1 is a 350-foot transit dock. A new lighting system allows for 24-hour cargo operations. Twenty mooring sites, 17,000 square feet of shed space and more than three acres of improved ground storage areas are available. A 7,300-square-foot office and storage building is ready for occupancy.

    POV Dock No. 2 is an 800-foot string pier available for docking sites and barge repair. Major products transferred are liquid and dry bulk and general and project cargo. The Port of Victoria’s mission is to provide waterway transportation capabilities to create economic opportunity in the region.

    The Port recently created an industrial park with multi-modal access. The park is located within a foreign trade zone and a Texas Enterprise Zone. The Port has the ability to “build to suit” and tailor a package specific to the facility and transportation needs of customers.

    A major cost savings was realized by including the basin expansion with the completion of the widening and deepening of the canal. In addition to almost doubling the size of the harbor, a 400-foot-by-150-foot barge slip was added for greater safety and efficiency.

    TGB’s work on the Port of Victoria rail infrastructure project will allow the Port to realize many of its expansion and development targets.

    Port of Victoria rail infrastructure project

    About the Port of Victoria

    With inland waterways that lead to the Gulf of Mexico and markets throughout the world, the Port of Victoria provides water, rail, highway and air transportation options. It is a center for the chemical, construction, steel fabrication and agribusiness industries, offering access to all transportation modes.

    The Port is located on the Texas coast between Houston and Corpus Christi.

    To learn more about our work on the Port of Victoria rail infrastructure project, please contact:

    Mike Murphy, president, TGB Group: (866) 217-7794

  • TGB Group Sponsors Golf Fundraiser Event

    TGB Group Sponsors Golf Fundraiser Event

    Nearly 200 Rail Industry Golfers Participated

    For the fifth consecutive year, TGB Groups has helped to sponsor the annual golf fundraiser held by the Southwest Association of Rail Shippers (SWARS). This year’s event happened at the Trails of The Woodlands club in The Woodlands, Texas.

    The October 2, 2020 golf fundraiser event was attended by 196 golfers from companies associated with the rail industry.

    TGB group sponsored the 7th hole on the Oaks Course, one of two courses at the Trails of The Woodlands. For this hole, the winner would be the golfer who could hit the longest drive. That honor went to Mark Dearing, owner of Vertex Builders.

    Other incentives at the SWARS golf fundraiser included the longest putt, the closest approach shot and a $10,000 hole-in-one challenge.

    Golf fundraiser benefits a scholarship fund

    As in years past, the golfing event raised money for the George Elking, Jr. Scholarship Fund.

    Elking is known within the rail industry, having served as SWARS president in 1995 and then as president of the North American Association of Rail Shippers in 1998.

    TGB Group is always excited to play in the golf fundraiser event and help support the Elking scholarship. Our employs have participated for the past 15 years, and we’ve been a proud hole sponsor since 2016.

    The large turnout of nearly 200 golfers shows the unity of many companies within the rail industry. We’re like a brotherhood – and sisterhood – who have built multiple industry connections and always enjoy getting reacquainted with the folks who make railroads run.

    SWARS meetings

    The golfing event fundraisers are held twice a year, always in conjunction with official SWARS meetings. We encourage individuals and companies in the rail industry to be part of the meetings, where critical information is discussed and to get involved in the golf fundraiser as a player or sponsor, where a good time is always guaranteed.

    Here’s a recap of our last SWARS golfing event.

  • TGB Group Receives 2020 Best of Spring Award

    TGB Group Receives 2020 Best of Spring Award

    Best of Spring Award Program recognizes businesses in the Spring, Texas, area

    The Spring Award Program (SAP) in June 2020 selected the TGB Group for the 2020 Best of Spring Award in the Civil Engineering and Consulting Company category.

    This is our second year in a row to receive the award, which showcases companies that have demonstrated success in their marketing efforts within the local Spring, Texas, community and among other nominees in their business categories.

    About the 2020 Best of Spring Award, the SAP says, “These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Spring area a great place to live, work and play.”

    The Program committee considers a variety of data to select the companies they recognize with an annual Best of Spring Award.  Some of the data is collected internally while other data is received from third parties.

    The entire TGB team is very proud to receive the 2020 Best of Spring Award.  We enjoy being honored for all the hard work we’ve put in to growing our business.  Even more important than awards, however, is the fact that our efforts in building our company result in an ever-increasing quality of service to our clients.

    About the 2020 Best of Spring Award Program

    The Spring Award Program is an annual awards program designed to honor the accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Spring area. Recognition is given to companies that have used their best practices and implemented programs to create competitive advantages and long-term value within their markets.

    The Program works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. The mission is to recognize the small business community’s contributions to the larger U.S. economy.

    TGB Group also received the 2020 Topeka Award in June!

  • BBB Gold Star Certificate from Houston Better Business Bureau

    BBB Gold Star Certificate from Houston Better Business Bureau

    The BBB is one of the many ways we connect with our community

    TGB Group has received a 2020 BBB Gold Star Certificate from the Better Business Bureau of Greater Houston and South Texas.  We learned about this honor in April 2020.

    BBB membership is one of the many ways we stay connected with our community and is an opportunity for our community to stay connected with us.  There are Better Business Bureaus throughout the United States, and each one is in place to showcase businesses and companies in its area that perform to the highest ethical and professional standards.

    We’re proud to be recognized with the BBB Gold Star Certificate.  While our membership with the Houston BBB is just one of many memberships we hold, it’s important to us, because many consumers (including our future customers) consider it important that a company be in good standing with their local bureau.

    Along with the BBB Gold Star Certificate, we maintain an A+ rating with the Houston BBB and have received 5 stars on each of our customer reviews through the bureau.

    More important than a BBB Gold Star Certificate and other awards

    It’s always nice to be recognized by organizations and agencies for a job well done.  But at TGB Group, the most important recognition comes from our customers, the people we serve and help to grow and expand their operations.  Without satisfied customers on your side, you really don’t have a business.

    Since we launched our company three years ago, certain elements have been in place to guide us in all our work.  They include:

    • Integrity
    • Honesty
    • Hard work
    • Industry expertise
    • Clear communication
    • Customer-first approach
    • On-time delivery of services

    The way we see it, when the owners of a business set the standard for everyone in the company, when they hold employees – and themselves – to these standards, things just run more smoothly and client satisfaction is guaranteed to be high.

    If you’re interested in hiring the TGB team for your next engineering or design project, give us a call at (866) 217-7794 and tell us what you want to accomplish.

  • Importance of a Feasibility Study

    Importance of a Feasibility Study

    How TGB Group helps its clients by working through all the details of a civil design/engineering project

    Of all the parts and parcels of a civil design or engineering project, the feasibility study may be the most critical.  Like the old saying, “Failure to plan is planning to fail.”  A quality feasibility study early in the planning stages allows you to address the major concerns that will be involved in doing the project and operating with it afterwards.

    When the TGB Group team performs a feasibility study for our clients, we customize each area to our clients’ and the project’s specific needs.  General areas we cover include the following.

    Feasibility study components

    Market impact

    In the very earliest stages, company leaders must forecast the viability of a project in terms of how it will be accepted in the market and the impact it will have on competitors and sales.  A detailed feasibility study covering market impact projections is critical for every new project.

    Technical assessment

    Once we determine that the business idea is sound, we want to ensure that the civil and structural engineering aspects as well as design are capable of being executed in a way that supports the project throughout all its stages.

    Management

    We evaluate project management capabilities to confirm that the project will be overseen with the expertise necessary to make it successful.

    Financial feasibility study

    Paying for the many services required to complete a project is a paramount concern.  We want to investigate and determine that the client will be able to secure the necessary funding to see the project through to completion.

    Economic concerns

    The economic part of a feasibility study looks at the potential economic benefits and losses that could result if the project is developed and completed as planned.

    Cultural impact

    Part of a quality feasibility assessment is considering the impact of the project on the local community and culture.  Many problems can be alleviated by knowing what these impacts may be during the building phase and after the project is finished.

    Safety

    Safety assessments look at the wide range of possible environmental influences the project will create.  It’s important for our clients to see the “bigger picture” in this area so alterations to certain aspects of the project, if deemed necessary, can be made early.

    Permitting

    Every project requires a number of permits, licenses and approvals.  A feasibility study should determine which of these will be required, how they will be secured and who will be responsible for securing them.

    As noted, every feasibility study is unique, so the above elements are simply a general guide.  The bottom line is we want to make your project as smooth and predictable as possible from the earliest planning stages to the day you open for business.

  • 2020 TSLRRA Annual Meeting

    2020 TSLRRA Annual Meeting

    An opportunity to network and help support this important organization

    TGB Group was excited to attend and sponsor the TSLRRA Annual Meeting Jan. 23-25, 2020 at the Beeman Hotel in Dallas. We’ve been a member of the Texas Short Line & Regional Railroad Association for three years and have always considered it an important part of our professional lives.

    Among its many other activities, the TSLRRA provides us with vital details about current short line rail news on local and legislative levels.

    Why we attend the TSLRRA Annual Meeting

    It’s important for us to support an organization like TSLRRA as they continue their outreach to help smaller “mom and pop” railroads.  The annual meeting is one of the ways they do it, and every year the event includes the opportunity to network with others in the railroad industry and hear informative talks from leading speakers.

    This year’s TSLRRA Annual Meeting featured guest speaker Ed Emmett, a former Harris County Judge and Texas Department of Transportation Freight Advisory Committee member.

    Because of their smaller size, short line railroads often are overlooked, yet they’re quite important for the farms and factories that connect with large shipping concerns and exporters. Past TSLRRA Annual Meeting/luncheon events have provided us with information regarding heavy regulatory initiatives, which can stand in the way of economic growth and Austin short line tax credit.

    Short line associations are pushing Congress to make a tax credit permanent to help short lines improve infrastructure. modal equity and the benefits of membership through growth.

    About TSLRRA

    The Texas Short Line & Regional Railroad Association is a nonprofit professional organization representing the interests of the more than 40 short line railroads and industry related businesses in Texas.

    Established in 2003, TSLRRA’s purpose has been to promote the state’s economy, champion public safety issues and partner with local governments and organizations to enhance the transportation infrastructure and bring new jobs and prosperity to Texas communities. Learn more about the Texas Short Line & Regional Railroad Association.

  • Why Community Responsibility Is So Important | Doing Our Part

    Why Community Responsibility Is So Important | Doing Our Part

    Here are some of the ways we’re giving back

    From helping to feed the hungry to raising funds for St. Jude Children’s Hospital to supporting scholarship programs for deserving students, a big part of the TGB Group culture is acting with compassion to build support for many different causes in and around our community. We think of it as our community responsibility.

    Why we take community responsibility seriously

    Helping to making a difference in whatever ways we can is one of our missions. Because we care about our communities and the people who live in them, giving back is important to us. Here are some of our current areas of focus.

    Meals on Wheels, Montgomery County

    community responsibility with Meals on Wheels

    TGB Group donates funds to Montgomery County Meals on Wheels and is constructing Turkey Day treat bags for seniors. The programs operated through Meals on Wheels are vital to our older neighbors. A meal delivered by a friendly face means that seniors are not only getting the nutrition they need but a social visit they require to maintain a healthy balance in their lives.

    Harvesters Community Food Network

    community responsibility with Harversters

    Another part of our community responsibility is donating to the Harvesters Community Food Network, which provides kids in our area with healthy groceries.

    Montgomery County Association of Business Women Foundation (MCABW)

    Through donations, MCABW focuses on giving back to the community by awarding scholarships to high school seniors and supporting other local causes.

    Southwest Association of Rail Shippers (SWARS)

    TGB Group does a lot of work in the rail industry, so we make it a point to support the SWARS scholarship fund.

    St. Jude Children’s Hospital

    community responsibility with St. Jude

    An exciting part of fulfilling our community responsibility has been supporting the St. Jude Humana Rock N Roll Series fundraising event in San Antonio. It’s a 5K run happening on December 7, 2019 to raise money for pediatric cancer research.

    West Texas Food Bank

    community responsibility with West Texas Food Bank

    The final organization we support that we want to mention here is the West Texas Food Bank. This group is committed to serving the needs of children, families and seniors who struggle with hunger.

    All of us have the opportunity to give back a little – or a lot – to local and national causes that are important to us. It’s community responsibility that makes our world a better place.

  • TGB Group Attends Logistics Development Forum

    TGB Group Attends Logistics Development Forum

    Event focused on site-selection and supply chain priorities

    Our president, Mike Murphy, recently attended a Logistics Development Forum event in Vail, Colo., that focused on helping leaders in the trade and economic development industries learn more about site selection and supply chain management priorities.

    TGB Group also was a sponsor for the golf event connected to the forum, which was held August 5-7 at Sonnenalp Hotel in Vail.

    Highlights of the Logistics Development Forum

    One of the key functions of the 2019 Logistics Development Forum was to give economic developers and site consultants the opportunity to share information on the many elements involved in determining the optimal location for manufacturing distribution centers and warehouse operations.

    Attendees participated in individual meetings, took part in educational sessions and built valuable networking relationships with industry peers.

    On the Logistics Development Forum Program Overview page for the upcoming 2020 edition of the event, advantages of attending this forum are explained and include:

    • The chance to hear industry experts speak about logistics-intensive projects
    • Special sessions focused on the role of logistics in deciding on the location of a new site
    • It’s the only conference that deals with the importance of the site-selection process and supply chain
    • An excellent way to forge partnerships and build relationships with other industry professionals

    Mike and the rest of the TGB Group team reserve time throughout every year to attend and sponsor these types of events.  Meeting and talking with experts in our industry helps us to keep abreast of the latest developments and advanced techniques, which in turn allows us to continue to deliver superior results to our clients.

    Other conferences on our schedule

    In addition to the Logistics Development Forum, our representatives also will attend the following 2019 conferences:

    SWARS (Southwest Association of Rail Shippers) in Phoenix

    AREMA (American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association) in Minneapolis, Minn.

    TEDC Annual Conference (Texas Economic Development Council) in San Antonio, Texas

  • Isomeric Industries, Inc. Selects TGB Group for Track Expansion Project

    Isomeric Industries, Inc. Selects TGB Group for Track Expansion Project

    Work started in December at McMahon Wrinkle Industrial Park in Big Spring, Texas

    TGB Group has been selected to design and build Isomeric’s track expansion project at the McMahon Wrinkle Industrial Park in Big Spring, Texas.  We began working with Isomeric to identify locations for a track expansion to support the growth in their business.  Our team provided consulting and conceptual design services to help determine the best location.  Isomeric then selected us to manage the entire process. 

    We’re providing survey, design, bidding services, construction management and on-site construction observation services for the project, which entered the design phase this month.  We expect construction of the track expansion project to be completed early in the second quarter of 2019.

    Track expansion project and other work in Big Spring

    TGB Group has been the civil engineer of choice for rail projects in Big Spring for many years.  We recently completed a large expansion for the Big Spring Railroad’s (BSR) Tarmac Yard and the design of Alor Trucking’s new transloading facility.  Several other rail expansion projects are slated for 2019 that will further expand the Big Spring Railroad’s ability to store railcars for customers as well as transload railcars for customers in need of these services.

    Big Spring Rail Systems, Inc. maintains and operates approximately six miles of rail line in Howard County, Texas, over trackage owned by the City of Big Spring.

    BSR was established in August 2012 as part of an economic development project by the Big Spring Economic Development Corporation.  It was created to initiate opportunities to transport and distribute product for customers, promoting the accessibility and utilization of existing rail service that was not previously possible.  BSR is headquartered in West Chester, Pa.  The firm interchanges traffic with Union Pacific railroad and is located just west of its Big Spring yard.

    Texas state and local officials have recognized the economic growth that coincides with improving transportation infrastructure.  These investments put a focus on transportation projects while benefiting the community and stimulating economic growth.  Big Spring has been referred to as the “crossroads of west Texas” due to it’s being the only city in the western portion of the state with access to interstate highways going north, south, east and west.  In addition to existing highways and an airpark, BSR is building on this with the inclusion of rail service.

    To learn more about this track expansion project, please contact:

    Mike Murphy, president, TGB Group: (832) 748-7603

  • Jacksboro EDA Grant

    Jacksboro EDA Grant

    Grant to help fund Jacksboro Business Park

    Our Business Development Manager, Jake Cooper, is working with the Jacksboro Economic Development Corporation to apply for an Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant. Once secured, the Jacksboro EDA grant will be used for the engineering and construction of roads, waterlines and sewer for phase one of the Jacksboro Business Park project.

    This industrial park will be suitable for a variety of business needs such as light industrial, manufacturing and office complexes. With a population of approximately 4,500, Jacksboro, Texas, looks to tourism, recreation and land development projects to promote opportunities for business and to foster the creation and retention of new jobs. With assistance from the Jacksboro EDA grant, the business park has the potential of creating some 100 new jobs for the community.

    More about the Jacksboro EDA grant

    EDA is a federal resource that helps cities and counties, based on their needs, through specific grants. The program we are applying for is the EDA Public Works Grant, and it is specifically for the engineering and construction of the roads, waterlines and sewer for this project. The Jacksboro Economic Development Corporation and the City of Jacksboro will maintain ownership and right-of-ways for these items throughout the life of the project.

    About the EDA

    The Economic Development Administration is charged with working in accord with the Federal economic development agenda in regions throughout the United States to help these areas grow their economies and be successful in a worldwide economy. The administration focuses on building innovation and competitiveness within the leadership of regions and communities.

    Programs run by EDA provide resources to meet various economic needs of regions that are in financial distress. Goals include job creation and retention, expanded private investment and innovation, enhanced manufacturing capacities, workforce development and attraction of foreign investment.

    To learn more about the Jacksboro EDA Grant project, please contact:

    Jake Cooper, business development manager, TGB Group: (832) 748-0343