These are all positive qualities, but remember... Beaumont has sported all of these qualities for a long, long time, and yet, the area remains, overall, depressed and under-educated. The issue here, really, is the lack of diversity in industry. Clearly, the area holds great sway in the petro-chemical arena and because of it's proximity to the sea, a thriving port. However, there aren't many other embedded industries in the area to support the economy or population. The wage-base for construction jobs is lower than the state and national average, and as I mentioned above, the tri-county area is one of the least educated in the whole nation.

As others have noted, with the wage base being so low, the tax revenue for the ISDs is very wanting.

I love the Golden Triangle and it has a certain, sweet appeal. And your well-written post is moving. In fact, I can't dispute any of the good points you've mentioned. Still, I don't foresee its economy returning to the glory days of the 1960's - 1970's anytime soon.

My dad used to say there was a time when any able-bodied fellow could march up to the gates of the refineries and get a well-paying, union job. Now, a single job opening can attract more than 100 applicants. Pretty much says it all.