Port of Corpus Christi
Taft’s Proximity To Corpus Christi
Taft, Texas is located in close proximity to the local Port of Corpus Christi. Companies from China, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, and the United States have located major operations along San Patricio County’s La Quinta Ship Channel at the Port of Corpus Christi, taking advantage of the ability to ship from Texas to anywhere in the world. Click here to see POCC website.
Seventy miles south of the Eagle Ford Shale play and 200 miles southwest of Houston, the Port of Corpus Christi is vital to the success of San Patricio’s major natural gas refining, manufacturing and agriculture industries.
The Port of Corpus Christi provides a straight, 45-foot deep channel (approved and authorized for 52 feet) and quick access to the Gulf of Mexico and the entire United States inland waterway system. The Port of Corpus Christi delivers outstanding access to overland transportation, with on-site and direct connections to three Class-I, BNSF, KCS and UP railroads and direct, vessel-to-rail discharge capabilities.
Anchored by strong leadership, the Port Authority Commission works closely with locally elected officials to advocate for business-friendly legislation and evaluate outdated mandates and restrictions. The Port of Corpus Christi has developed a brand-new strategic plan that takes into account a changing economic horizon and the need to meet the demands of a diverse customer base.
Business advantages
The City of Taft is located within a U.S. Foreign Trade Zone, which is a huge draw for businesses, as well as an advantage over competitors.
The U.S. Foreign Trade Zone Program is one of the nation’s earliest attempts to stimulate economic development and facilitate global trade and commerce. The U.S. Congress passed the Foreign Trade Zone Act in 1934. The Foreign Trade Zone program has enhanced global competitiveness for U.S.-based companies, particularly for firms engaged in manufacturing or production.
Taft’s Foreign Trade Zone status
The Port of Corpus Christi, grantee of FTZ #122, received the Foreign Trade Zone grant of authority from the federal government in 1985 and became the first continental zone to have an oil refinery subzone. FTZ #122 is one of the largest zones, encompassing almost 25,000 acres with three active general purpose areas and 14 active subzones. A general purpose zone is available for public use and is usually used for warehouse and distribution, whereas a subzone is approved for use by one company for a specific activity.
Merchandise admitted into a Foreign Trade Zone may be:
- Assembled
- Repacked
- Processed
- Stored
- Relabeled
- Tested
- Salvaged
- Destroyed
- Sampled
- Mixed
- Manipulated