ODC to get updates

At least part of the Flint Hills Resources petrochemical plant could be saved if an Odessa man has his way.

Nick Fowler, owner of Orion Pacific-Orrex, said his company has approached the Odessa Development Corp. about buying the 52-year-old plant's operations in amorphous poly alpha olefin, a byproduct his company uses.

"Our intent is to preserve 100 jobs in West Texas and maintain a petrochemical producing complex in the area," he said.

While Fowler said Orion Pacific is only currently looking at buying a fraction of the plant, it could lead to the company or other companies taking over other parts of its operations.

"I was born in Odessa," Fowler said. "I owe it to my community."

Fowler said a "secrecy agreement" prohibits him from discussing a possible sale price of the plant, which employed 395 full-time workers, plus at least 150 contract workers when its closing was announced Nov. 5.

The possible sale of the plant is one of several items the Odessa Development Corp. will get updates on at its Thursday meeting.

The economic development department has placed a possible textile plant on its inactive list after the company involved announced it is no longer considering a location in Texas.

Rick Carlton, ODC board president, said he doubted any money was spent on the project other than filling out a request for proposal form.

Other projects the ODC is working on include a medical device company that's considering building an $11 million facility in the area. It would create 173 to 350 jobs with a salary range of $50,000 to $350,000.

Attendees to the meeting, which starts at 2 p.m. at Odessa City Hall's third floor conference room, will also be updated on progress involving the Midland-Odessa Transportation Alliance. According to the organization's annual report, several parts of the La Entrada al Pacifico Trade Corridor are progressing. They include a Highway 87 reliever route near Lamesa, as well as improvements to the Mexican Port of Topolobampo.