A Neighborly Invitation

Dow Neighbor Day at Brazosport College May 6

Freeport, TX - February 07, 2006

This spring Dow Texas Operations will be opening a new major complex in southern Brazoria County. For one day only.

As part of its 65th Anniversary Celebration, the site will be hosting Dow Neighbor Day on the campus of Brazosport College on Saturday, May 6. The public is invited to attend the one-day festival, which will include Dow information kiosks, concerts, food vendors, and entertainment for all ages.

"Dow Neighbor Day is a way for us to thank our community for the support they have given us for more than six decades," said Bob Walker, Vice President of Dow Texas Operations. "We're not able to have everyone in the community come to our site, so we're going to take our site to the community."

Brazosport College President, Dr. Millicent Valek, said holding Dow Neighbor Day at the school is a perfect fit.

"Brazosport College salutes Dow Texas Operations," said Dr. Valek. "We look forward to welcoming the community to our campus for this historic celebration. Dow's close work with and support of the college and its commitment to the community make this a great place to live."

Dow Neighbor Day is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. and will also feature bus tours of Dow Texas Operations. Other activities and events at Dow Neighbor Day will be announced as they are finalized.

"It's going to be a great day for the community as well as our employees and retirees and their families," said Walker. "It's an opportunity for everyone to learn more about what Dow is all about and have some fun."

A MAG-nificent Anniversary!

On the afternoon of January 21, 1941 at Dow's Plant A in Freeport, Texas, an innovation was achieved that would make technological history, help the Allies win World War II and cement the chemical industry's existence on the Gulf Coast.

That day Dow was able to take magnesium from seawater - marking the first time man had successfully mined the ocean for metal. At 1:45 PM, Dow operator Clarence Hock poured the first ingot as a crowd gathered to watch.

Magnesium became one of the most important metals in World War II after it was discovered in 1940 that the Germans were using it as a structural material to make their planes lighter and stronger. Lacking the badly-needed metal, the British approached Dow, then the chief magnesium supplier in the United States, who agreed to produce 8.4 million pounds. Six million pounds were to come from Dow's new plant in Freeport, Texas, which was going to mine the ocean for the metal - something man had never done before.

In recognition of this milestone event, Dow Texas Operations will be hosting a year-long celebration for its employees, retirees and community.

Dow is a diversified chemical company that harnesses the power of science and technology to improve living daily. The Company offers a broad range of innovative products and services to customers in more than 175 countries, helping them to provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products. Built on a commitment to its principles of sustainability, Dow has annual sales of $46 billion and employs 42,000 people worldwide. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted.

For Editorial Information:

David Winder
The Dow Chemical Company
(979) 238-3792