Everyday, we celebrate good deeds in our community.
Today, we give a Thumbs Up to Gulf Coast Growth Ventures (GCGV) for donating $100,000 to help support homegrown careers through Del Mar College.
The money will help expand DMC’s career and technical programs at San Patricio County high schools.
“Partnering with the school districts of San Patricio County in this way is an opportunity for us to help make a positive difference in the lives of students and their families,” said Paul Guilfoyle, ExxonMobil venture executive for GCGV.
GCGV, a joint venture with ExxonMobil/SABIC, is building an ethylene production plant on a 1,300-acre tract in San Patricio County. When the plant begins operations in late 2021, it will generate 600 permanent jobs with an average salary of $90,000 per year.
The school districts set to benefit from the donation include Gregory-Portland ISD, Odem-Edroy ISD, Mathis ISD, Taft ISD, Sinton ISD, Ingleside ISD and Aransas Pass ISD.
The funds will be divided among the high schools in proportion to their enrollment, said Dr. Paul Clore, Gregory-Portland ISD superintendent.
“We deeply appreciate GCGV’s contribution. To expand these programs and guide students to workforce possibilities coming into the area, we need support not only from industry but also from the sub-contractors who will employ them as well.”
For years, DMC has offered dual credit career and technology programs at San Patricio County high schools, and many of them align directly with GCGV’s needs, such as process technology, instrumentation, welding, and millwright.
“This generous donation from Gulf Coast Growth Ventures will provide the resources and specialized equipment to expand the dual credit course offerings,” said Lenora Keas, DMC vice president of Workforce Development and Strategic Initiatives. “It’s a great investment in the community. These programs lead to high-paying, in-demand careers for local students.”
Gregory-Portland High School senior Cynthia Vu, who is studying engineering, said the course has surpassed her expectations.
“I’ve learned the fundamentals of engineering and discovered so much more about the profession than I expected, especially how the role of engineers directly affects the safety and welfare of the public. I want to thank Gulf Coast Growth Ventures for committing to the future of these programs.”
