January 2004 CAP Meeting

The Community Advisory Panel (CAP) to Dow Texas Operations recently held its January meeting. Monty Heins, the production leader for Dow's Salt Dome Operations (SDO), gave an overview of the Stratton Ridge facility and its future plans.

The priorities of the facility continue to be safe operations, environmental stewardship and the delivery of quality raw materials such as brine to Texas Operations' production unions said Heins. Many projects have recently been completed to enhance the aesthetics of the site. The facility's well capacity is beginning to reach maximum volumes, so new wells are being planned to meet the future demand.

Jan Huisman, the Public Affairs Leader for Dow in Texas, announced that Texas Operations will be launching a competitive grant program for community projects in southern Brazoria County in 2004. The site has allocated $200,000 from its charitable giving budget to help support projects of local non-profit organizations that have identified social, economic or environmental needs, which will enhance the quality of life for our neighbors.

Projects that impact a large number of people and emphasize visible and sustainable improvements will be the most competitive in the selection process. For more information on the 2004 Dow Community Grants Program visit www.dowtexasoperations.com.  Applications will be available at the site in late April.

"Dow will continue to support our communities with charitable gifts, but we will focus our efforts to ensure every dollar donated brings with it tangible results and makes a positive impact," said Huisman. "We will still accept requests year-round, but those will be fewer and larger than what we've done in the past. The Community Grants Program provides the mechanism for Dow to work with the community on a number of smaller and high value projects."