East Texas Business

Staff & Wire Reports

North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority has released a request for information for firms interested in serving as financial or developmental partners with the Authority on projects.

The projects include Toll 49, which consists of proposed outer loops around Tyler and Longview and controlled-access roads connecting the these outer loops and extending them to connect with the I-69 Trans Texas Corridor.

A portion of Toll 49 has been constructed and is in revenue operation, and the NET RMA is seeking the means by which to complete the project.

"We are going through this process because traditional resources are limited, and we cannot wait on Washington or Austin. We must help ourselves," said NET RMA Chairman Jeff Austin, III. "By statute, the NET RMA has the authority to solicit private sector funding, so we are looking for a financial partner to help us close the funding gap."

The RFI is available for download at the NET RMA's Web site, www.netrma.org, or by e-mail through Everett Owen, project director, at emowen@ctrma.org.

Firms responding to the RFI must demonstrate a history and the capability of developing or providing capital investment in public infrastructure projects. Consistent with the requirements of Senate Bill 792, the NET RMA will not enter into any concession agreements in connection with the development of any or all of the projects.

Many retailers in the Tyler area on Friday were selling regular unleaded gas at $3.55 a gallon -- a sharp increase from prices as low as $3.39 earlier in the week.

Analysts attributed the rise to concerns about potential damage and petroleum distribution caused by Gustav -- a tropical storm expected to become a hurricane and hit the Gulf Coast.

The weekly AAA Texas gas price survey -- taken before jump in prices late in the week -- finds regular-grade averaging $3.47 per gallon across Texas, down 7 cents from last week.

The cheapest gas in this week's survey is in Houston, where it fell 9 cents to $3.39 per gallon. El Paso has the most expensive gas at $3.60 per gallon, still down a nickel from last week.

Don Proudfoot, director of the Tyler Junior College Small Business Development Center, will provide free business loan counseling to small business entrepreneurs on Sunday at Broadway Square Mall, Tyler.

Proudfoot will be available to speak with small business owners and prospective business owners about putting together a business plan for a loan. The event will take place at the TJC-sponsored seating area in the north wing of the mall, from 2-4 p.m.

The seating area is sponsored by TJC in conjunction with the mall's grand re-opening activities.

Proudfoot will also provide information about TJC continuing education classes and SBDC seminars and workshops.