In Port Arthur, Texas, communities living steps from the nation’s largest oil refinery face daily threats from toxic emissions, chemical leaks, and industrial accidents that endanger health and wellbeing. These frontline neighborhoods also endure escalating flood risks from hurricanes and rising seas. Community In-Power and Development Association Inc. (CIDA) is transforming this reality by advancing environmental justice, nature-based flood defenses, and clean energy initiatives. “We’re not just trying to survive,” says Executive Director Hilton Kelley. “We’re trying to thrive in the place we call home.” CIDA equips residents with solar and disaster recovery skills while creating Port Arthur’s first-ever resilience hub, a combined emergency shelter and community training center, helping families reclaim safety and stability in a city shaped by industry and neglect.
Led by Kelley and a committed team of seven local staff, CIDA has grown from its founding in 2000 fighting against refinery pollution to a multifaceted force addressing energy efficiency, climate resilience, and community well-being. Their achievements include installing Port Arthur’s inaugural rain garden and permeable pavement in Montrose, securing federal funding for coastal resilience planning in vulnerable neighborhoods, and delivering hands-on training in solar technology and post-disaster recovery. The upcoming HK Activity Center & Resilience Hub will serve as a hurricane shelter, youth business incubator, and skills center, providing critical resources and economic opportunities. Collaborating with the Houston Advanced Research Center, South East Texas Regional Planning Commission, and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, CIDA is driving lasting change across Port Arthur’s fence-line communities and the greater Golden Triangle region.