Orange: STI building $2.7M shop on 38-acre site

ORANGE – Southeast Texas Industries Group (STI) is building a new site on Forman Rd. The initial investment for the new project is $2.7 million.

Orange County Commissioners authorized a Chapter 381 agreement with the firm. “The agreement allows for tax abatement,” Orange County Economic Development Corporation Director Bobby Fillyaw said.

“As part of the contract, the company is to maintain the employees at the Vidor and Bridge City locations.”

Fillyaw said the tax abatement is for six years at approximately 80 percent ad valorem tax base with the company also required to pay the administration fees for the abatement.

Brent Strange, with STI Group, told the court the shop will be built on a 38-acre lot and the company hopes to close on the property this week.

“We are expecting 75-100 new employees,” Strange said. “It will depend on the work load, so it could be more.” The facility will house six overhead cranes.

The new shop will be the 11th location for the business, which also has Texas locations in Beaumont, Buna and Port Arthur.

STI Group has served the chemical refining, petrochemical, oil and gas production, drilling, energy, power generation, pulp and paper, and related industries since 1978 according to the official website.