Spotlight On: B.J. Simon, President & CEO, Baytown West Chambers County Economic Development Foundation
May 7, 2026
Invest: sat down with B.J. Simon, president and CEO of the Baytown West Chambers County Economic Development Foundation, to discuss the region’s industrial momentum, infrastructure advantages, and long-term strategy as growth accelerates across the Greater Houston area. “The dynamic between agglomeration of existing and growing clusters of industries and diversification within the agglomeration is advantageous. It is one of the things that clearly distinguishes us from other parts of Texas,” Simon said.
What changes or trends have had the biggest impact on Baytown and West Chambers County over the past year, and how are they shaping your priorities for this year?
Building on our conversation from last year, there was a great deal of interest in the emerging hydrogen economy, including ExxonMobil’s Blue Hydrogen Project and others. Some of that momentum has slowed due to Inflation Reduction Act and CHIPS Act uncertainty, but several hydrogen-related projects are still moving forward, particularly green hydrogen, so we remain encouraged.
At the same time, the broader economic trends that have shaped this region for years continue to drive activity. The midstream oil & gas sector in the Mont Belvieu/West Chambers County area remains especially strong. The Mont Belvieu NGL hub is home to major players such as Enterprise Products, Targa Resources, Energy Transfer, and ONEOK, all of which have multibillion-dollar projects connected in some way to the Baytown/Mont Belvieu/West Chambers County region.
The downstream sector also continues to expand. We are home to ExxonMobil and its massive petrochemical complex, and the company remains active in refining and chemicals. Chevron Phillips has a significant presence, and Covestro, which was acquired by ADNOC late last year, is now positioned for additional complementary development. Logistics is another major strength because all of these products have to move, and our proximity to Port Houston, along with the Cedar Port Industrial Park, keeps us highly competitive.
How would you describe the region’s competitive position, especially as other markets also pursue energy, manufacturing, and logistics investment?
The primary distinguishing factor is that these industries have been here for a long time. ExxonMobil, for example, has operated in the area for more than 100 years. That means the industrial base, infrastructure, and operating expertise are already in place.
Proximity to Port Houston is another major differentiator. It is one of the most important containerized ports in the country and a tremendous advantage for this region. When you add rail, water, barge access, and transportation infrastructure, you begin to see how integral Baytown and West Chambers County are to the broader economy.
People are also a major part of the equation. We have shown both existing companies and prospective investors that workers will commute into this area if wages and benefits are competitive. That gives companies confidence that labor is accessible.
We often describe the region through two economic concepts: agglomeration and diversification. Agglomeration refers to the density and clustering of industries that have operated here for decades. That clustering creates beneficial externalities for the companies already here and for businesses that want to be near them. At the same time, we are seeing diversification within that base, with growth tied to circular plastics, advanced recycling, carbon capture, and related industries.
The dynamic between agglomeration of existing and growing clusters of industries and diversification within the agglomeration is advantageous. It is one of the things that clearly distinguishes us from other parts of Texas.
How is the local utility and power infrastructure keeping pace with rising electricity demand from industrial growth, AI, and data centers?
We are in a strong position. NRG is building three power generation facilities, one of which is Cedar Bayou 5 in Baytown. CB5 is a 760-megawatt generation facility that will complement existing operations and strengthen our overall capacity.
We are also working projects that want to fuel their power needs “off the grid” using natural gas. In addition, there are data center projects that would be hydrogen-fueled and operate sans the grid as well. That flexibility will become increasingly important as power demand grows.
What workforce skills are most in demand today, and how is the region preparing talent for evolving industry needs?
I do not think workforce access is going to be a broad problem for us. We often talk about 30-mile and 60-mile labor sheds, and that sometimes takes explanation, especially for international prospects that expect labor to be located much closer to a site. Once we show them GPS data and commuting patterns, however, it becomes clear to them that people will drive 30 or 60 minutes to work here, regardless of shift schedules.
The bigger question is identifying the specific kinds of talent that are most needed. Right now, the largest deficit is in the crafts and trades. White-collar requirements are generally easier to fill. The real pressure points are welders, pipefitters, and the other skilled workers who can build, operate, and maintain facilities.
That is where community colleges and training partnerships become essential. Baytown is home to Lee College, an excellent community college, and there is also a broader consortium of colleges and training providers that can help develop the talent base we need. We have also been focusing more closely on the immediate labor shed, which includes roughly 760,000 people. Within that population, there is an overage of talent in certain skill sets, which works to our advantage. By using GPS and labor market data, we can show prospective employers that workers already move into this area routinely and that a broad range of skills is readily available.
How are local governments and regional partners working to maintain quality of life as the area continues to grow?
There is a lot happening on that front. In Baytown and Mont Belvieu, there are nearly 12,000 homes in some stage of development. Residential growth is an important part of how the region is responding to expansion.
Cities are also investing in amenities. Park development is active, and one especially notable project, known as Project Vector, will become a multipurpose event center funded through a creative incentive agreement involving ExxonMobil and the city of Baytown. It is expected to serve as a hub for youth sports and other community activities. Chambers County is also pursuing additional park development, including soccer and baseball facilities.
Retail matters as well. People want access to shopping, dining, and entertainment, and those amenities shape how they experience a community. One major redevelopment is the former San Jacinto Mall, which has been demolished and is being rebuilt as a new marketplace concept. There is a great deal of excitement around that project.
Infrastructure improvements are another important facet of progress. Garth Road, one of Baytown’s main corridors, is being improved, and local governments are using bond initiatives and other tools to fund projects that can accommodate growth. When you combine residential development, parks, retail, entertainment, and transportation upgrades, it is clear there are significant physical changes underway that will continue to shape the area over the next several years.
Looking ahead three to five years, what are your top priorities, and what will success look like for the region?
We recently completed an initiative called Project Horizon 2035 to answer the question of what the Foundation should be doing over the next decade. Five Vision Trends emerged from that effort, and they are all relevant to our service area, especially Central and East Chambers County.
That part of the county is essentially tabula rasa because it was historically agricultural. We refer to our broader service area as Metro East, and over the next decade, we expect to see compression between the Beaumont-Port Arthur MSA and the Houston MSA. Metro East sits in the middle of that. If you picture a Venn diagram, we are at the nexus of those two regions.
That compression will create both opportunity and challenges, which means we need to help local officials anticipate infrastructure needs and plan strategically. One area of particular interest is Central Chambers County, where Qualified Opportunity Zones and New Market Tax Credits provide a framework for promoting development. We believe those tools can help unlock additional investment.
We are also focused on developing small shipyard operations in Central County that can complement the maritime activity already taking place in West Chambers County. More broadly, one of our biggest priorities is helping county leadership think proactively about growth and what will be required to support it. Success will mean providing the guidance, strategic foresight, and planning support needed to manage that growth well over the long term.
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