It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Heritage Museum of Montgomery County gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Conroe, TX is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Mrs. Gerald A. wife of Gerald A. absolutely LOVES their caregiver J. Spiller. They said”
“Sherika has been an absolute blessing for our family. She has been helping with in-home”
“Sherika has been an absolute blessing for our family. She has been helping with in-home”
“Adrianna is an excellent caregiver! She is kind, caring and a hard worker. She goes”
“Adriana is a wonderful caregiver. My husband looks forward to seeing her each week,”
“Our experience with Always Best Care has been excellent; highly recommend. Very professional agency,”
“I contacted ABC in The Woodlands when my husband, who has Alzheimer’s, needed a few”
“Always Best Care is top of its class. Kelly, the owner, is one of”
“Wow what can I say!!! Always Best Care in The Woodlands is an”
“My experience with always best care has always been Paramount working with Michelle as the”
“I haven’t been to happy with the actual workers in the home, however the director”
“We have had such wonderful experience with the staff and care givers!! I highly recommend”
“I am a current client of this provider The services are essential and helped me the”
“I am a past client of this provider They made our life easier by doing what”
“I am a current client of this provider The impact is excellent. I live 30 miles”
“I am a current client of this provider I like that they keep my house clean. I”
“I am a current client of this provider It has been exceptional. The people are good people,”
“I am a current client of this provider They have good communication and build rapport with”
“I am a current client of this provider We love our caregiver. She has purchased little”
“I am a current client of this provider I'd have difficulties doing a lot of things”
“I really enjoyed working for ABC. This was my first experience with caregiving and I”
“I am a current client of this provider They have given us very good caregivers for”
“I am a past client of this provider They let me do what I could do,”
“I am a current client of this provider They are very reliable. They are very easy to”
“I am a current client of this provider I would be starving to death if they”
“Great service!! Ms.Veronica was very helpful and informative as well as polite while helping me”
“I have to say that Veronica at Always Best Care is such an asset for”
“Speaking with Veronica at this location is such a joy. She is very professional and”
“Great agency. My husband was hired to be a driver. Everyone is Very kind and”
“I am a current client of this provider They are on time and thorough. They are on”
“I am a current client of this provider For my dad, it's good and he needs”
“I am a current client of this provider The care is keeping her stable and independent”
“I am a current client of this provider There's nothing I would do differently, the caregiver”
“I am a current client of this provider It is nice that there is care that”
“Ive been working here for 4 months and i wish ive known about them sooner”
“Mrs. Gerald A. wife of Gerald A. absolutely LOVES their caregiver J. Spiller. They said she does amazing job every time she comes out and she helps out so much. They would aways love to keep her as there caregiver. She is there chosen one.”
“Sherika has been an absolute blessing for our family. She has been helping with in-home care for my dad, and we couldn’t be more grateful for her kindness and professionalism. She is always friendly, patient, and attentive, making sure my dad feels comfortable and well cared for. Her warm personality brings so much positivity into our home, and it’s clear that she genuinely cares about the people she helps. We highly recommend Sherika to anyone in need of compassionate and reliable in-home care!”
“Sherika has been an absolute blessing for our family. She has been helping with in-home care for my dad, and we couldn’t be more grateful for her kindness and professionalism. She is always friendly, patient, and attentive, making sure my dad feels comfortable and well cared for. Her warm personality brings so much positivity into our home, and it’s clear that she genuinely cares about the people she helps. We highly recommend Sherika to anyone in need of compassionate and reliable in-home care!”
“Adrianna is an excellent caregiver! She is kind, caring and a hard worker. She goes above and beyond my expectations for a caregiver! I would highly recommend her to anyone.”
“Adriana is a wonderful caregiver. My husband looks forward to seeing her each week, as do I! During the winter storm they communicated well about what services would be available and when due to the weather. Adriana has also been a blessing to me in the weeks after my daughter's death by giving me time to grieve and time to manage all of the tasks that need to be completed.”
“Our experience with Always Best Care has been excellent; highly recommend. Very professional agency, organized & dependable. We love our Nurse Jeannie, she is a diamond ???? who consistently provides kindness & TLC for my Father. DM The Woodlands, TX”
“I contacted ABC in The Woodlands when my husband, who has Alzheimer’s, needed a few days of additional care after being discharged from the hospital. I greatly appreciated their quick response. Mira conducted the assessment. She is very knowledgeable and worked to find the best caregiver match. A big thanks Meecie! She is an excellent caregiver and has a special touch with Alzheimer’s patients.”
“Always Best Care is top of its class. Kelly, the owner, is one of a kind and she is someone you know will take exceptional care of anyone's family member. I can't recommend them enough!”
“Wow what can I say!!! Always Best Care in The Woodlands is an amazing care provider. Kelly and her team are absolutely the best of the best! They do what they say they are going to do and they do it with excellence! If you or a loved one needs care in your home please do not hesitate to call Always Best Care The Woodlands. You will not be disappointed.”
“My experience with always best care has always been Paramount working with Michelle as the Director of operations has always been professional. I love the way the company cares about the caregivers and their personal lives as well as the compassion shown for the clients. I have been in the home health industry off and on since 1999 this is the best company that I've ever worked with and would always recommend anyone to be a part of the ABC team.”
“I haven’t been to happy with the actual workers in the home, however the director Michelle is exceptional in every way dedicated, trustworthy and very compassionate!! We have been using ABC for over 2 years. I always felt at ease knowing Michelle was in charge!! The workers don’t make enough money!”
“We have had such wonderful experience with the staff and care givers!! I highly recommend this company!”
“I am a current client of this provider The services are essential and helped me the most with giving me time off from my mother. I like that the caregiver is awesome and she is conscientious.”
“I am a past client of this provider They made our life easier by doing what we asked them to do and understood our situation. I liked their responsiveness to our needs and their flexibility.”
“I am a current client of this provider The impact is excellent. I live 30 miles from my mother's house. I like that they are very quick to reply. The specific lady, Kelly, that takes care of my mom is genuine and professional.”
“I am a current client of this provider I like that they keep my house clean. I like that they keep me notified.”
“I am a current client of this provider It has been exceptional. The people are good people, encouraging and just good people that do good things.”
“I am a current client of this provider They have good communication and build rapport with me. They picked a good aide to come to my home. I would recommend them because they are very professional and show up on time when they're supposed to.”
“I am a current client of this provider We love our caregiver. She has purchased little things and brought them to my wife. I like that this agency is graded by the caregiver that they have provided for us.”
“I am a current client of this provider I'd have difficulties doing a lot of things if I didn't have them. I recommend them all the time. I like that they come when they're supposed to do.”
“I really enjoyed working for ABC. This was my first experience with caregiving and I can say with confidence that I will continue working in this field. I learned so much through my time with the company and gained very crucial experience with multiple different clients. It is evident that the company really cares not only for the clients but the employees as well. I am happy to have been given this opportunity and will cherish my time spent with ABC and their clients.”
“I am a current client of this provider They have given us very good caregivers for my wife. I especially like that one of our caregivers, Kameshia, is excellent.”
“I am a past client of this provider They let me do what I could do, but if I needed help they were there. I like that they were just always eager to help do anything that needed to be done.”
“I am a current client of this provider They are very reliable. They are very easy to get hold of.”
“I am a current client of this provider I would be starving to death if they didn't show up. They have come through with my special needs.”
“Great service!! Ms.Veronica was very helpful and informative as well as polite while helping me with all my questions???? Highly recommended”
“I have to say that Veronica at Always Best Care is such an asset for everyone!!! She gets everything done reliably, in a very timely manner. She always helps me when I can’t figure something out or anything I or my colleges may need to talk to someone about , she’s always there . I appreciate her so much!! I am a caregiver for Always Best Care. I appreciate her very much. Thank you Veronica !!”
“Speaking with Veronica at this location is such a joy. She is very professional and only wants the best for your loved one.”
“Great agency. My husband was hired to be a driver. Everyone is Very kind and considerate of their workers. May God bless this agency.”
“I am a current client of this provider They are on time and thorough. They are on time and they seem thorough. I have nothing to complain about.”
“I am a current client of this provider For my dad, it's good and he needs it to get out of the house. We have them once a week. I think they had some problems with the first 2 caregivers but now I have one that is good and attentive.”
“I am a current client of this provider The care is keeping her stable and independent as long as possible. Their rates are pretty high.”
“I am a current client of this provider There's nothing I would do differently, the caregiver is everything. The girls that come and take care of my mom are extraordinary.”
“I am a current client of this provider It is nice that there is care that can get here before the caregiver that can help the client get dressed, etc. They could treat their employees better.”
“Ive been working here for 4 months and i wish ive known about them sooner because i absolutely love my job????????. Not only are my bosses friendly and attentive to my schedule (single mom life tends to get a little crazy????) but whenever there is a problem on the site im sent to, they are always there to solve the problem. They respect us as caregivers and thats what i mostly love about working here. I can definitely see myself working here for a long time.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Candy Cane Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Benihana or visit The Lone Star Monument Historical Flag Park, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
Request More Information
While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Conroe, TX, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Conroe, TX understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Conroe, TX 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
A Conroe woman wants others to consider getting travel insurance after she was taken to a hospital in Mexico for an emergency.CONROE, Texas — A Conroe woman's cruise came with an unexpected cost.Khiali Baxter had a medical emergency on board a Royal Caribbean cruise from Galveston to Mexico, and her family spent more than $13,000 out of pocket for medical care.The Baxter family wants to warn others after going through this experience.“Sometimes the trip of a lifetime can become the situation of a lifet...
A Conroe woman wants others to consider getting travel insurance after she was taken to a hospital in Mexico for an emergency.
CONROE, Texas — A Conroe woman's cruise came with an unexpected cost.
Khiali Baxter had a medical emergency on board a Royal Caribbean cruise from Galveston to Mexico, and her family spent more than $13,000 out of pocket for medical care.
The Baxter family wants to warn others after going through this experience.
“Sometimes the trip of a lifetime can become the situation of a lifetime,” Craig Baxter said.
Baxter has a pile of receipts from all expenses paid for his daughter, Khiali. She was just two days and five hours into her first-ever cruise with her boyfriend when she became ill.
“I woke up, I started throwing up blood. Unfortunately, I had passed out on the ground,” Baxter said.
She was taken to the onboard emergency room, where doctors said she had internal bleeding.
An ambulance took her to a hospital four hours away.
“I could feel myself kind of going in and out of consciousness. I was very cold and terrified,” Baxer said.
Baxter’s parents were contacted once she arrived at the hospital, where staff asked for payment up front before they would treat her. Craig Baxter, Khiali’s dad, recalls the conversation with the hospital staff member.
“We’ll work as far as the $2,500 will take us,’ I’ve never heard this in my life,” he said.
An endoscopy and colonoscopy were performed, but Baxter said doctors couldn’t figure out where the bleeding was coming from.
The Baxter family received an itemized bill totaling $9,970. A bill from their cruise ship for on-board medical facilities cost $4,048. The family also spent money on flights and lodging in Mexico. At this time, they still don’t know why Khiali started bleeding internally.
In hindsight, the family wishes they had looked into travel insurance.
We spoke with Jeff Rolander, VP of claims and customer experience at Faye Travel Insurance. He recommends people shop around before booking a policy, which can cost a few hundred dollars.
“There are very barebones policies that might protect just a piece of the trip, for instance, the flights themselves or a hotel room,” Rolander said. “A comprehensive travel insurance product typically costs 6 to 8% of the trip cost,” Rolander said.
He said policies can cover the entire trip, medical bills and medical transport.
The Baxter Family said their goal is to make other families aware of the option to get travel insurance.
“It was an eye-opening experience that I hope prepares other young people,” Craig Baxter said.
A GoFundMe has helped recover some of the costs, but the family hopes others can be prepared to avoid potential financial pain.
“It was a very, very scary experience...I really wish I would’ve gotten travel insurance,” Khiali Baxter said.
Got a news tip or story idea? Email us at and include the best way to reach you.
Conroe City Council vowed to do everything in its power to stop the construction of a high-pressure natural gas compressor site off Interstate 45, they said could “incinerate” everything nearby if it exploded.Council members approved a resolution Thursday to support the owners of Bartholet Home Furnishings and their lawsuit to stop the project, which is planned to go up less than 150 feet from their building. The resolution offers a show of support for the owners, but does not signify any legal action.The Bartholets...
Conroe City Council vowed to do everything in its power to stop the construction of a high-pressure natural gas compressor site off Interstate 45, they said could “incinerate” everything nearby if it exploded.
Council members approved a resolution Thursday to support the owners of Bartholet Home Furnishings and their lawsuit to stop the project, which is planned to go up less than 150 feet from their building. The resolution offers a show of support for the owners, but does not signify any legal action.
The Bartholets, who are long-time business owners in Conroe, filed a lawsuit July 23 seeking a temporary restraining order to stop the construction of the site. A hearing is set for 1:30 p.m. Aug. 29 in the 457th state District Court.
Blackfin Pipeline, built by Austin-based Whitewater Midstream, will transport up to 3.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas daily from Colorado County to Jasper County in East Texas. It will pass through Austin, Waller, Montgomery, Liberty and Hardin counties and a small portion of northwest Harris County. Four compressor sites are also part of the project, including the one planned for Conroe.
Officials with Blackfin declined to comment on the pending case and have not filed a response to the suit, according to the Montgomery County District Clerk’s Office.
Construction on the Montgomery County portion of a 193-mile intrastate natural gas pipeline started in late 2024.
Council members expressed shock to learn of the project. While the pipeline wasn’t unknown, Councilwoman Marsha Porter said the council was never informed of the compressor site project despite two meetings in 2023 between pipeline officials and former city staff.
Porter served on the council in 2023 with Mayor Jody Czajkoski, Curt Maddux, Howard Wood, Todd Yancy, and Harry Hardman.
“If any one of us had known about this, we would have done everything in our power to stop this compression station,” Porter said during the council's workshop Wednesday. “I am outraged and horrified that the city council was not informed.”
Porter said on July 11, 2024, the council discussed and approved giving a pipeline easement to Blackfin. However, she said no information was shared to the council by staff about the compressor station.
“It was not in our backup information in our (council) packet,” Porter said. “We all voted for it, 5-0. This was something important that darn sure should be mentioned.”
Cody McGregor, spokesperson for Blackfin Pipeline, said community safety is a focus of the company.
"The Blackfin pipeline has been designed and constructed in compliance and cooperation with all regulatory agencies and is a critical piece of infrastructure that creates jobs in Texas and supports our economy and the reliable availability of its abundant natural gas resource along the Gulf Coast," McGregor said.
In an Aug. 7 letter to the Texas Railroad Commission, Metcalf said the project potentially poses an “extreme” risk to local families, businesses and commuters. Metcalf requested that the commission set up a public hearing in Conroe regarding the project.
Houston-based attorney Seth Rubinson said the project and its location in a densely populated area are “truly unprecedented.”
“This would truly change the face of Conroe,” Rubinson said, adding the site has “profound dangers” to the community.
Doyle Sanders, an engineer with over 50 years of experience in the design, construction, and operation of natural gas pipelines, said if there were an explosion, the immediate radius around the site would be incinerated. He said a blast could impact a mile radius from the site, which would include River Plantation.
“You have no time to get out,” Sanders said.
In December, Howard County firefighters in west Texas responded to an explosion at a compressor site in the rural part of the county, according to NewsWest9. When crews arrived on scene, they were able to work alongside the operator to isolate the compressor and extinguish the fire. No one was injured.
In the lawsuit, according to permits filed with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the site will have four turbine compressor units rated at 30,000 horsepower with 144 blowdowns per year.
Blowdowns are routine operations on natural gas transmission and distribution systems to allow operators to safely perform maintenance, inspections, construction, and emergency response. This practice involves isolating and depressurizing a section of the pipeline and typically venting the natural gas to the atmosphere, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
The pipeline project includes three additional compressor station sites including one each in Austin County, Hardin County and Jasper County. Sanders said all three of those sites are in rural areas, away from homes and businesses.
“We have to do everything in our power,” Councilman Hardman said. “I don’t care how much it costs.”
Texas Rep. Will Metcalf and the owners of a longtime Conroe business are looking to state and county officials to halt a project that will bring natural gas pipeline compressor stations to Conroe, which they say are dangerously close to homes and businesses.Blackfin Pipeline, built by Austin-based Whitewater Midstream, will transport up to 3.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas daily from Colorado County to Jasper County in East Texas. It will pass through Austin, Waller, Montgomery, Liberty, and Hardin counties and a small portion of ...
Texas Rep. Will Metcalf and the owners of a longtime Conroe business are looking to state and county officials to halt a project that will bring natural gas pipeline compressor stations to Conroe, which they say are dangerously close to homes and businesses.
Blackfin Pipeline, built by Austin-based Whitewater Midstream, will transport up to 3.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas daily from Colorado County to Jasper County in East Texas. It will pass through Austin, Waller, Montgomery, Liberty, and Hardin counties and a small portion of northwest Harris County.
Metcalf is seeking a public hearing on the project that will move billions of cubic feet of natural gas through the region. Project representatives have cited a growing need for natural gas transmission infrastructure and the potential economic boon the project could bring to the state. However, opponents of the project expressed concern about the risks it could pose for nearby communities.
Cody McGregor, spokesperson for Blackfin Pipeline, said safety in communities is a focus of the company.
"The Blackfin pipeline has been designed and constructed in compliance and cooperation with all regulatory agencies and is a critical piece of infrastructure that creates jobs in Texas and supports our economy and the reliable availability of its abundant natural gas resource along the gulf coast," McGregor said.
The owners of Bartholet Home Furnishings, which is located next to the compressor site, filed a lawsuit on July 23 seeking a temporary restraining order to stop the construction of the site. A hearing on the issue is 1:30 p.m. Aug. 29 in the 457th state District Court.
Officials with Blackfin declined to comment on the pending suit.
Construction on the Montgomery County portion of a 193-mile intrastate natural gas pipeline started in late 2024. The project includes a compressor station on Interstate 45, next door to Bartholet Home Furnishing.
Sarah Bartholet Gwin and her sister Emily Bartholet, said they were blindsided to learn the compressor station was so close to their family's businesses. The business was founded by Kim and Todd Bartholet in 2003. Gwin said she and Emily will take over the business when their parents retire.
"We knew about the pipeline going in, we understood that," Gwin said. "We weren't really to concerned about that. It wasn't until late May that we started to realize it wasn't what we were under the impression it would be."
The site is proposed to have four compressor stations, according to documents from the city of Conroe provided in the lawsuit.
"We started seeing a lot of pipe, a lot of equipment and valves. Stuff that just wasn't consistent with just an underground pipeline in the easement," Gwin said. "That's when we started to get concerned."
Along with the furniture business, Gwin said the store employs more than 20 people and includes an onsite daycare.
"Our goal is to have them move it to a safer, more appropriate location," Gwin said.
In an Aug. 7 letter to the Texas Railroad Commission, Metcalf said the project potentially poses an “extreme” risk to local families, businesses and commuters.
“We must ensure that projects of this scale and industrial intensity are sited in appropriate areas where they do not pose potential undue risks to our communities,” Metcalf stated in the letter. “It is not unreasonable to request that infrastructure of this scale be located in a more rural setting where the impact to surrounding communities is significantly reduced.”
Compressor stations compress natural gas and send it at an average speed of about 10-20 mph through a pipeline. Compressor stations allow gas to flow at a constant rate, according to the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America.
In November, McGregor said the project will not displace any homes or businesses and is vital for Texas.
“As natural gas production continues to grow across Texas, the Blackfin Pipeline will provide critical transmission capacity, designed to deliver energy for up to 28 million homes,” McGregor said. “Further, the project provides tremendous economic benefits for our state. Through the project's construction phase, Blackfin Pipeline will employ more than 2,000 skilled workers and contribute an estimated $70 million in taxes to state and local governments.”
Conroe Councilwoman Shana Arthur placed the item on the council's agenda for Thursday for discussion.
"We are still getting the facts together so we can make sure everything reasonably possible is done to protect the citizens," Arthur said.
The council will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday for a regular meeting.
832-585-1941
