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  • The 2023 TEDC Annual Conference Is Coming to Houston in October

    The 2023 TEDC Annual Conference Is Coming to Houston in October

    We hope to see you at this year’s exciting conference event

     

    2023 tedc annual conference

    If the 2023 TEDC Annual Conference is on your agenda for October 11-13, we invite you to visit our booth during the event. The conference, sponsored by the Texas Economic Development Council, is truly a highlight of our yearly schedule.

    2023 TEDC Annual Conference overview

    The event will feature a great lineup of industry experts discussing important economic development topics, such as:

    • The water crisis Texas is currently experiencing
    • The state of the Texas workforce
    • Effective mentoring techniques and principles

    and much, much more.

    The conference will also include a variety of engaging discussion panels filled with economic development professionals who will share their knowledge and experience on topics that affect our business and many others throughout the state of Texas.

    The 2023 TEDC Annual Conference is an opportunity you don’t want to miss to learn, network and engage with your peers in economic development.

    Golf tournament and more excitement

    The conference will include a golf tournament, scheduled for Wednesday, October 11. The Community Economic Development Award Luncheon will be held Thursday, October 12. In addition, you can visit the exhibit hall and networking lounge, attend two receptions and participate in a PAC Auction.

    This year’s conference is being held at the JW Marriott Houston by the Galleria, 5150 Westheimer Road.

    About the TEDC

    The Texas Economic Development Council is an Austin-based, statewide, non-profit professional association dedicated to the development of economic and employment opportunities in Texas. Our diverse members share a common goal: bringing new investment and jobs to Texas.

    We’ll look for you at the 2023 TEDC Annual Conference!

    This year’s conference is shaping up to be an exciting time for everyone who does business in the great state of Texas. If you plan to attend, don’t forget to stop by the TGB Group booth and say hi.

    The TGB Team

  • Gather and Learn at the TSLRRA 2022 Annual Meeting

    Gather and Learn at the TSLRRA 2022 Annual Meeting

    Mark your calendar for this important railroad industry event in Austin

    The Texas Short Line and Regional Railroad Association has announced the TSLRRA 2022 Annual Meeting, coming up Feb. 13 and 14 in Austin, Texas.  Rail firms, engineering companies, railroad consultants and many other professionals consider this event one that shouldn’t be missed.

    Check back with the association’s website as details on the meeting are published.

    Why we’re attending the TSLRRA 2022 Annual Meeting

    TGB Group tries to make all the “key” meetings and events that are related to our civil engineering and project management work in the railroad industry.  Texas Short Line meetings are always a priority for our team because we get to learn the most current news and information that could and does affect our business and the Texas rail industry as a whole.

    We encourage you to make plans for the TSLRRA 2022 Annual Meeting.  Maybe we’ll see you there!

    About the Texas Short Line and Regional Railroad Association

    If you’re not familiar with the TSLRRA, here are some highlights about the association and the state of the rail industry.

    A lot is riding on short lines

    Short line rail serves companies and industries with more than 475,000 employees who generate $56 billion in economic value-add.

    Locally owned and operated

    Texas short line railroads are often locally owned and operated and are critical parts of the communities they serve.

    Want to save on gas costs?

    Freight transport is highly economical: a ton of freight moved across 479 miles of short line track uses only one gallon of diesel fuel.

    That’s a lot of freight

    Each year, close to 380 million tons of freight are moved along Texas railroads.

    The environment likes rail transport

    Rail transportation of freight creates 75% fewer greenhouse gases than trucks and accounts for just 0.6% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.

    TSLRRA provides comprehensive services

    • Active in legislative & regulatory issues
    • Advocates for advancing safe railway operations
    • Provides industry education & professional training
    • Promotes ethical operating & business standards
    • Supports responsible environmental practices
    • Partners with government and private industry for economic growth

    Learn more about the Texas Short Line and Regional Railroad Association.

    Make plans to attend the 2022 TSLRRA Annual Meeting

    If you haven’t already marked your calendar, do it now and don’t miss out on what will surely be a fantastic annual meeting and a chance to network and renew acquaintances.

    The TGB Group

     

  • How Drone Services Can Enhance and Empower Your Site-Planning

    TGB Group specializes in rail infrastructure development projects.

    How Drone Services Can Enhance and Empower Your Site-Planning

    TGB Group is excited to offer this service to clients throughout the U.S.

    Drone services technology is part of the “new wave” of technological advancement.  A “piloted” drone plane can go just about anywhere that a regular person – in or out of a real plane – can.  Drones can be used in many ways, and not just to cover sporting events and showcase luxury real estate.

    TGB Group’s primary work revolves around design, planning and engineering for companies looking to develop a new business, rail or industrial site.  In the past, the visuals we used to gain information about the land, boundaries, existing buildings, roadways and rail lines had to come from photographs.  Either that or from videos shot while standing on firm ground.

    Our drone services take these visuals to a new level.  Literally.  With FAA-licensed and insured pilots for the Texas area, we can now offer you remarkably insightful drone footage for your project.

    Who can use drone services?  What kinds of projects is it suitable for?

    • Real estate developments
    • Industrial sites
    • Railroad configuration
    • Manufacturing facilities
    • Oil, gas and water developments

    and any other projects where you really need to see the proverbial “lay of the land.”

    Benefits of drone services

    • An aerial picture is a true birds-eye view, far more complete than any typical ground photo
    • Standard camera photographs solicit your attention; drone pictures grab it
    • A clear, professional and highly aesthetic visual of your land or project
    • Collect visual data about what’s going on around your site in adjacent communities
    • Scenic videos can be powerful parts of business presentations to prospective partners and investors
    • Drone services allow you to obtain video imagery in places and locations no hand-held camera ever could

    Here some examples of a drone in action:

    Learn more about this amazing technology and how our drone services can benefit your company.  Get in touch with TGB Group President Mike Murphy at (866) 217-7794.

  • Join Us at the TEDC 2022 Mid-Year Conference, June 22-24

    Join Us at the TEDC 2022 Mid-Year Conference, June 22-24

    This is a key event for the Texas Economic Development Council

    TEDC 2022 Mid-Year Conference
    Omni Hotel, Corpus Christi

    If you have a Texas-based business or a business that operates in Texas, you should consider attending the TEDC 2022 Mid-Year Conference in June.

    TGB Group has been a participant and often a sponsor of the conference since our inception in 2016.  Our President, Mike Murphy, has been involved with the Texas Economic Development Council for more than 10 years.

    Why the TEDC 2022 Mid-Year Conference is important

    Across three days, a variety of presentations are scheduled that will be beneficial to anyone with Texas business interests.  Our company is based in Texas, so it’s a no-brainer for us to attend.

    As of late May, scheduled topics and activities for the conference include:

    • Strategies for blending the worlds of workforce, economic development and education
    • TEDC Executive Committee meeting
    • Initiatives in alternative and sustainable energy in Texas
    • The role of The Port of Corpus Christi in the global economy
    • Ideas for employee recruitment and retention
    • Best practices for screening leads and vetting projects
    • Leadership lessons for economic developers
    • Workforce Excellence Award recognition
    • Reenergizing the small business ecosystem
    • Overview of employee trends in Texas

    and so much more.

    Review sponsors and full tentative itinerary >>>

    Network with like-minded professionals

    Throughout the three-day TEDC 2022 Mid-Year Conference, there will be plenty of opportunities to network and connect with the “movers and shakers” who make Texas’ business run.

    Being able to meet and get to know other like-minded professionals is in itself enough reason to attend the conference.  Based on our experience at past conferences, many of the key players in Texas business, economics and transportation will be there.

    All this and great golf!

    Education and networking are important, but making the conference even better is a fun golf tournament scheduled for June 22 at the NorthShore Country Club Golf Course in Portland, Texas.  If you play, you can get involved.  TGB Group is one of the tourney’s sponsors.

    Where it’s happening

    The TEDC 2022 Mid-Year Conference will be held at the Omni Hotel, 900 Shoreline Blvd., Corpus Christi, Texas.  Registration closes on June 15.  You can register at the Omni Hotel link above.

    The TGB Team

     

  • We’re Excited to Offer 3D Model Services to our Clients

    We’re Excited to Offer 3D Model Services to our Clients

    Learn about how this technology can help your site planning and design efforts

    When you’re visualizing a new site development, standard photos of the site make it difficult to see many of the potentials and issues within the project. Now with our 3D model services, TGB gives you the ability to really grasp the visuals of your new site and see it as you want it to be.

    3D model services: what it’s all about

    3D modeling is an innovative technique in computer graphics that allows us to produce stunning three-dimensional digital representations of any object or surface.

    With this technology, we’ve been able to help our customers decide how they want their sites and rail projects designed. We take an image of their current layout or existing property and then add in the necessary visuals so they can see the “finished result” of their overall design.

    A key advantage of using 3D model services in the early stages of a project is that the leadership team can assess the visual before beginning to build. If something they originally had desired doesn’t appear quite the way they’d envisioned it, we can make alterations until we get the exact look the team is after. The project can then be built to suit.

    Look at some examples

    The photo below is the site layout of one of our customers located in Houston. They were considering the possibility of extending their current tracks to their property line as well as adding an additional turnout for a third track that would run parallel to the extended tracks already in place.

    TGB example 3D modeling before photo

     

    Our 3D model team went to work to create the photo you see below. It clearly showed the client what the facility would look like after construction. This was exactly what they wanted, and why they hired TGB to handle this design work.

    TGB example 3D modeling after photo


    Would 3D model services benefit your next project? You can learn more about our process and the many advantages it can bring you by calling Steven Surratt at (866) 217-7794. You can e-mail Steven at sales@thetgbgroup.com.

    The TGB Team

     

     

  • TSLRRA Leadership Announced at March 2022 Annual Meeting

    TSLRRA Leadership Announced at March 2022 Annual Meeting

    See who’s serving as president, vice president, treasurer, secretary and in other roles

    At its March Annual Meeting in Dallas, the TSLRRA leadership for 2022 was announced. Executive officers who were named included:

    • Paul Treangen, president, TNW Corporation
    • Ailsa Von Dobeneck, vice president, Watco
    • Rebecca Murphy, treasurer, The TGB Group
    • Jeff Van Schaick, secretary, Jaguar Transport Holdings

    President predicts TSLRRA leadership will build for growth

    President Treangen said at the meeting that he’s proud of the recent progress the Texas Short Line and Regional Railroad Association has made and expects the current TSLRRA leadership will continue building for growth in the future.

    “Representing the short line railroad industry to the state legislature and promoting the prosperity of our industry within Texas requires collaboration among our members,” Treangen said. “There’s a place for all TSLRRA members to get involved in our association and I’m pleased to see the ongoing efforts in raising awareness for TSLRRA.”

    Other key TSLRRA leadership roles announced at the Annual Meeting included:

    • Legislative: Ross Lane, G&W
    • Events: John Gravenkemper, Hatch & Kirk
    • Marketing: Cheryl Hart, TNW Corporation
    • Membership: Anabelle Cormier, Stahl Recruiting

    About the Texas Short Line and Regional Railroad Association

    Based in Texas, TSLRRA 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, partner with local governments and organizations to enhance the transportation infrastructure and bring new jobs and prosperity to Texas communities.

    Consider a membership for your firm

    If you work directly in the railroad industry or in any of its many support industries, you should consider becoming a TSLRRA member. TGB Group is proud of its membership, which allows us to learn of important breaking news and trends in the industry we serve.

    TSLRRA leadership is in place for one simple reason: to support its members as we all work together to build better jobs and futures in this always-vital industry.

    The TGB Team

  • We Make Sure Our Rail Customers Stay on Track and on the Track

    We Make Sure Our Rail Customers Stay on Track and on the Track

    Some of the services our civil engineering team provides to the rail industry

    Railroad customers and the railroads that serve them have important jobs to do and regular projects to manage.  Success for these professionals often requires working with an experienced civil engineering team that knows what it takes to keep them on the track by keeping them on track.  The TGB team accomplishes this by meticulous time-management strategies and acute deadline-awareness.

    We’re a full-service civil engineering and consulting firm focused on site-development projects for the transportation industry, primarily rail transportation.

    Clients trust us to understand what is needed to bring their important projects to a successful completion.  And they expect our civil engineering team to deliver services in a timely manner, because a lot of people and project elements depend on everything getting done right and on time.

    Design & engineering responsibilities

    Our work involves the planning, design and oversight of projects for a group of clients that include Class I and short line railroads, industrial outfits, city and county governments and economic development organizations.  That’s the “hands-on” part of our work.

    The “eyes-on” part of our work is just as critical.  While developing conceptual designs and construction documentation and working through drainage issues is important, so is making sure that and all other processes are performed in the time frame our clients are expecting.  This means our own work and that of the teams and facets we manage during a project.

    We place a high priority on getting projects done before deadlines.  By delivering consistently in this area, our civil engineering team keeps our rail-associated customers’ projects on track so the customers can stay on the track and keep their businesses rolling forward in the right direction.

    If you need a team that’s on your side from before the project starts until after it’s finished, contact TGB Group President Mike Murphy at (866) 217-7794.

  • Railcar Storage Yard Development Project

    Railcar Storage Yard Development Project

    TGB providing design services to Texas Gonzales & Northern Railway

    Texas Gonzales & Northern Railway (TXGN) has again selected TGB Group for design services in support of its railcar storage yard development project that will add capacity to its already sizeable yard in Gonzales, Texas.

    We’re proud of our long-term relationship with TXGN and are honored to have been chosen to bring our cutting-edge services to this exciting railcar storage yard development effort.  Our team will provide survey, design and construction oversight activities for a new yard expansion that will give TXGN an additional 400 car spots for a new client they recently secured.

    TGB Group’s bottom-line objective here is to create greater efficiency and cost savings for TXGN.  We’re partnering with Shackelford Construction & Hauling, LLC of Yazoo City, Miss., to operate the project as a design build.

    Texas Gonzales & Northern Railway tasked TGB with providing a plan to complete the railcar storage yard development expansion in a very short window, something we’re quite familiar with.  We will be feeding up-to-date design specifications to Shackelford each week in order to speed up the process.  This will allow construction to start with minimal design work completed and continue quickly, cutting more than 45 days from a traditional timeline.

    TXGN railcar storage yard development project specs

    • More than 30,000 feet of track
    • 19 turnouts
    • Access roadways
    • Drainage for the entire site
    • Existing drainage improvements
    • Creation of a master plan for additional adjacent yard tracks that TXGN can add later

    About TXGN

    Texas Gonzales & Northern Railway has been providing rail transport, storage and operations for companies in the heartland of Texas since 1992. Located midway between Gonzales and Harwood, off U.S. 1-10, TXGN owns and/or manages 13 miles of lead track, and approximately 61 miles of storage and loop track. TXGN interchanges with the Union Pacific Railroad and handles several thousand cars carrying energy-related products: grain and animal feed meals, clay/bentonite and raw and finished heavy metal products.

    To learn more about our railcar storage yard development project for TXGN, please contact:

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

  • 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.

  • TGB Group Again Named a Top 10 Railroad Engineering Services Company

    TGB Group Again Named a Top 10 Railroad Engineering Services Company

    Honor given for second consecutive year by Commtrex, managers of a leading rail services company directory

    Commtrex, creators of a popular online Rail Services Directory, has for the second year in a row named TGB Group as a top-10 railroad engineering services company.  The announcement was formally made in September 2019 on Commtrex.com.

    Our entire team is proud of this honor, because it tells us we’re doing things right and providing the quality railroad engineering services that help our clients meet and exceed their construction and expansion goals.

    This year’s Top 10 Railroad Engineering Services Company award went to leading engineering firms across the USA in places like Matthews, N.C., Brentwood, Tenn., Louisville, Ken., Greely, Colo., and Beaumont and Houston, Texas.

    We thought it was interesting that three Texas-based railroad engineering services companies made the list – the most from any state.  But it’s not surprising: Texans have always been known for doing jobs right.

    About Commtrex

    railroad engineering services company award 2018

    Commtrex is the only open online marketplace serving the U.S. and Canadian rail industries.  The company provides its extensive directory as well as a forum where rail cars can be bought, sold and leased.

    The Commtrex directory is a central place where project managers and business developers throughout the country can search for just the right railroad engineering services company for their project.

    Winning this award and being aligned with Commtrex will only be a step in the right direction for TGB Group as we continue to streamline our services and add to our expertise.  Our listing on Commtrex.com notes our affiliation with BNSF and Union Pacific railroads and our expertise in engineering track design, track construction services and track design services.  We consider that excellent publicity!

    We’re proud to be a railroad engineering services company right here in Texas

    As a Texas-based railroad engineering services company, we strive to bring positive benefits to all the neighboring communities where we work.  We believe that positive business dealings and exceptional results can help communities grow and prosper.  We’re committed to doing our part to serve the great state of Texas and other great states throughout the country.