About BDA

| History | Board Members |

The Bee Development Authority is a Defense Base Authority. In 1993 the Chase Field Naval Air Training Facility in Beeville, Texas was closed following a recommendation by the Base Closure and Realignment Committee. In 2001, the Bee Development Authority came into being under the enabling state legislation through the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990. The Bee Development Authority’s staff is charged with the duty of marketing Chase Field Industrial Complex as well as Beeville and Bee County.

History:

September, 1991- Chase Field is located in Bee County, Texas, approximately five miles southeast of the Central Business District of the City of Beeville. In September, the federal base closure and realignment process confirmed the determination to close Naval Air Station (NAS) Chase Field. This decision was finalized with presidential and Congressional acceptance.

February, 1993- The Navy officially closed Chase Field and transferred control of the facility to the City of Beeville and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

October, 1992- Beeville-Bee County Redevelopment Authority, a 501C3 Corporation was formed. The redevelopment authority was charged with guiding the reuse, planning and redevelopment of the Base. The Redevelopment Authority was composed of a representative from the City of Beeville, Bee County, Goliad County, Coastal Bend College, the Chamber of Commerce and other government districts. The late transference of the title in 1998 caused little redevelopment successes to be achieved.

August, 2001- Representative Judy Hawley sponsored a bill that created the Bee Development Authority (BDA), a defense base authority corporation as per Texas State Statute Chapter 397B. The formation of the BDA gave the corporation broadened powers and granted it the ability to work with federal and state economic programs.

May, 2005- The Bee Development Authority voted to open runway 13L / 31R

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Bee Development Authority:

Board of Directors:

Laura Fischer, President	Appointed by the County of Bee
Velma Elizalde, Vice-President	Appointed by the County of Bee
Luis Alaniz, Treasurer	Appointed by the City of Beeville
Dr. John Brockman	Appointed by City of Beeville
Dr. Thomas B. Baynum	Appointed by Coastal Bend College
Duwayne Dumas	Appointed by the Costal Bend College
Bill Carl	Appointed by Costal Bend College
Elias Chapa	Appointed by the County of Bee
Santiago Martinez, Jr.	Appointed by the City of Beeville
Arnold Medina	Appointed by the City of Beeville
Judge David Silva	Appointed by the County of Bee

Staff:

Joe B. Montez, Executive Director

Lisa Del Bosque, Administrative Assistant

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