|
The Community
Take a
Virtual Tour of Midland
Business and Industry
Midland is
business-oriented. City and county governments are responsive to the
needs of business and industry. Often referred to as the "Wall
Street of West Texas" Midland serves as a regional center for
finance, healthcare. manufacturing, agriculture and professional
services. With more than seven million square feet of office space,
the city ranks among the state's leaders in total office facilities.
Industrial land and buildings are also available.
 Companies
that do business here find Midland's Central Time Zone location to
be of benefit. There is only a one-hour time differential between
Midland and the east coast and a two-hour differential to the west
coast - making nation-wide business transactions easy.
The Midland/Odessa
metropolitan area boasts a population of approximately 240,000 with
a labor force of 100,000. People from surrounding towns, including
Big Spring and Andrews, augment the city's skilled and productive
labor force.
The Midland Development
Corporation offers incentives to qualified new and existing
employers who create jobs for the community.
Since the discovery of oil, Midland has been the pulse of the West
Texas oil industry. More than 21 percent of the nation's crude oil
and natural gas reserves are found within a 150 mile radius of
Midland. Numerous oil and gas companies make Midland their home, as
do the many businesses that support the oil industry.
A combination of
factors, including a low crime rate, ample water supplies, quality
law enforcement and fire protection and clean. wide streets, result
in a sense of security and a high quality of life. In addition, a
well-maintained infrastructure and a high quality educational system
combined with outstanding cultural, sports, recreation, healthcare
and convention facilities make Midland one of the nation's most
livable communities.
Education
 Midland
is committed to quality education, and this commitment extends
through all grade levels. The median educational level of Midlanders
ranks among the highest in the country, and the area's school
systems consistently produce an unusually high percentage of
National Merit finalists when compared with cities of equal size.
Midland County offers
educational options for students from kindergarten through the
twelfth grade via two independent school districts as well as
private and parochial schools.
Post-secondary
opportunities are also available. Midland College, a two-year
community institution, offers 56 fields of study, as well as a
four-year degree program and continuing professional education in a
number of areas. The University of Texas of the Permian Basin (UTPB),
located twenty miles away in Odessa, provides 28 areas of
instruction as part of its four year degree and graduate programs.
Two additional community colleges are located in Odessa and Big
Spring, contributing to the diversity of programs and course
offerings in the area. Vocational and technical trades are taught
through the community colleges and several specialized educational
facilities. Post-secondary institutions listen and respond to
industry needs for customized training programs.
Utilities
Dependable utility
services are available at competitive rates throughout West Texas.
In fact, the largest supply of clean-burning natural gas in the
nation is located beneath the region's surface, assuring that ample
supplies are available for both commercial and residential use.
Electricity is supplied through a combination of gas, coal and
nuclear powered plants throughout the region.
Midland has a more-than-ample water supply. The water needs of
industry and residents are met by both underground and surface water
sources. The city controls 700,000 acre feet of underground water
resources and the Colorado River Municipal Water District operates
the O.H. Ivie Reservoir, including Lake Spence and Lake Thomas,
which contain 65.9 square miles of surface water.
Recreation/Sports
 Midlanders
work hard ... and play hard. More than 300 days of sunshine each
year, low humidity and moderate temperatures mean fun is always in
the forecast. Numerous city parks and playgrounds provide the
opportunity for jogging, biking, softball, swimming, tennis and
countless other outdoor activities. Five area country clubs boast
outstanding golf and tennis facilities, while Hogan Park and Nueva
Vista, the city's public courses, provide 54 holes of challenging
play. Clear weather and first class facilities have made West Texas
a destination point for flying and soaring enthusiasts.
Private health clubs
offer an array of fitness-oriented activities including weight
training, aerobics, league play and other activities. Swimming is a
popular sport enjoyed at ten public pools, and competitive swimming
is available through the City of Midland Swim Team, which has gained
international recognition. The Midland Rockhounds, a professional
franchise of the Oakland A's, brings professional baseball action to
one of the most popular stadiums in the minor leagues. Softball is
played on outstanding diamonds scattered across the city, and
national championship quality college basketball can be enjoyed at
Chaparral Center on the Midland College campus. These exceptional
facilities have drawn national softball, and NJCAA All-Star
Basketball Tournaments to the city each year. The Odessa Jackalopes
have brought ice hockey to the area, playing in the Ector County
Coliseum, in Odessa, 20 miles west of Midland.
Culture/Entertainment
 Midland's
highly educated population is also a well entertained population.
From high-brow to hoe-down, Midland's varied cultural activities
offer something for everyone.
Outstanding theatrical productions including musicals, comedies and
dramas are presented year-round at the city's nationally-acclaimed
Midland Community Theatre. During July and August, you can hiss the
villain and cheer the hero at the uniquely outrageous Summer
Mummers, an old-time, popcorn-throwing melodrama staged in the
historic Yucca Theatre.
The
city's museums are truly outstanding and span a broad range of
subjects. The Permian Basin Petroleum Museum and the Chaparral
Gallery offer an exciting look into the oil and gas industry as well
as the Chaparral race cars. The Museum of the Southwest highlights
the art and culture of the southwestern United States. Young people
can enjoy educational, interactive fun at the Fredda Turner Durham
Children's Museum, catch a glimpse of the nighttime sky at the
Blakemore Planetarium, or research West Texas history at the Nita
Stewart Haley Library and J. Evetts Haley History Center.
 The
Commemorative Air Force and American Airpower Heritage Museum
commemorate America's aerial accomplishments from 1939 through 1945
and offer ongoing international symposia on WWII history. This joint
facility, dedicated to preserving the heritage of World War II
aviation, attracts more than 100,000 visitors to the area each year.
In addition, the Commemorative Air Force holds annual airshows at
the Midland International Airport.
The
Midland/Odessa Symphony and Chorale presents outstanding pops and
classical musical performances featuring renowned guest artists.
Chamber music is performed throughout the year by several ensembles.
One can spend a summer Sunday evening on the lawn of the Museum of
the Southwest, where a number of local and regional musicians
provide relaxing entertainment. Or find art, music, food and fun at
one of the many festivals ranging from a Celebration of the Arts in
May to Septemberfest to the Working Ranch Rodeo in November.
Special
interest clubs such as The Chess Club, The Native Plant Society, The
Midland Gem and Mineral Society and The Flatlander's Ski Club offer
plenty of options for enthusiasts to enjoy their hobbies.
Sunny Seniors
Excellent healthcare, reasonable cost of living, ease of travel,
beautiful weather, as well as all the amenities of a much larger
city make Midland attractive to retirees.
Visitors
Conventions of all sorts as well as business and leisure travelers
find Midland an attractive destination.
Area Attractions
 Scenic
lakes, campgrounds and wilderness areas are easily accessible to the
recreation-oriented population that calls Midland home. The gateway
to West Texas adventure, Midland is only a few hours drive from the
dramatic scenery of Big Bend National Park, the underground splendor
of Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico and the natural beauty of the
Guadalupe and Davis Mountains. Twelve lakes are within a 150-mile
radius of Midland. Six local bass clubs have a combined membership
of 500 fishermen (and women). One out of ten Midland households owns
a boat. Weekend adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts will find
hiking, rafting, mountain biking, soaring, snow skiing, water
skiing, windsurfing and hunting within a short drive of Midland.
|
