DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Foreign-Trade Zones Board
[Docket No. 30-88]
53 FR 38972
October 4, 1988
Proposed Foreign-Trade Zone, Midland, TX; Application and Public Hearing
TEXT: An application has been submitted to the Foreign-Trade Zones Board
(the Board) by the City of Midland, Texas (Midland), requesting authority to
establish a general-purpose foreign-trade zone in Midland, within the
Midland Customs user-fee airport. The application was submitted pursuant to
the provisions of the Foreign-Trade Act, as amended (19 U.S.C. 81a-81u), and
the regulations of the Board (15 CFR Part 400). It was formally filed on
September 26, 1988. Midland is authorized to make the proposal under Senate
Bill 333 of the 70th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 1987, signed
May 25, 1987.
The proposal calls for a general-purpose zone consisting of two parcels
totalling 166 acres within the 300-acre Airport Industrial Park at the
Midland International Airport. The airport was designated as a user-fee
facility by the U.S. Customs Service in June, 1987.
Parcel 1 (138 acres) is located on the eastern side of the Airport
between Continental and Wright Drives. Initial zone activity will be
accommodated by an existing 18,000 sq. ft. warehouse. Parcel 2 (28 acres) is
located in the southeastern section of the airport, just north of U.S.
Highway 80.
The application contains evidence of the need for zone services in the
Midland area. Several firms have indicated an interest in using zone
procedures for warehousing/distribution activity including yarns, oil
drilling equipment, telephones and auto engine parts. Specific manufacturing
approvals are not being sought at this time. Such requests will be made to
the Board on a case-by-case basis.
In accordance with the Board's regulations, an examiners committee has
been appointed to investigate the application and report to the Board. The
committee consists of: John J. Da Ponte, Jr., Director, Foreign-Trade Zones
Staff, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230; Paul Rimmer, Deputy
Assistant Regional Commissioner, U.S. Customs Service, Southwest Region,
5850 San Felipe St., Houston, Texas 77057-3012; and Colonel John E.
Schaufelberger, District Engineer, U.S. Army Engineer District Fort Worth,
P.O. Box 17300, Fort Worth, Texas 76102-0300.
As part of its investigation, the examiners committee will hold a public
hearing on November 16, 1988, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Midland City Hall,
300 North Loraine Stree, Midland, Texas 79701.
Interested parties are invited to present their views at the hearing,
including any views as to whether or not a Customs user-fee facility can be
considered the equivlent of a port of entry. Persons wishing to testify
should notify the Board's Executive Secretary in writing at the address
below or by phone (202/377-2862) by November 9. Instead of an oral
presentation, written statements may be submitted in accordance with the
Board's regulations to the examiner's committee, care of the Executive
Secretary, at any time from the date of this notice through December 16,
1988.
A copy of the application and accompanying exhibits will be available
during this time for public inspection at the following locations:
Office of the Director of Airports, at Midland International Airport,
9506 Laforce Boulevard,
Midland, Texas 79711
Office of the Executive Secretary,
Foreign-Trade Zones Board,
U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 1529,
14th and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.,
Washington, DC 20230
Dated: September 27, 1988
John J. Da Ponte, Jr.,
Executive Secretary.
[FR Doc. 88-22827 Filed 10-3-88; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-M