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Corporate executives say the key to growth in Midland is liked to
continued growth at the city's biggest well-known employer.

The growth message was the sent at the annual Dow Chemical community meeting Friday Morning in Midland. Vice President Gary Veurink says recent job cuts are difficult but necessary in order to stay globally competitive. But beyond cheaper foreign competition Dow's CEO Bill Stavropoulos says Washington needs to lead the way with a new national energy policy which should focus on conservation, coupled with new sources and alternative energy. He says rising energy costs are starting to hurt business. Stavropoulos says he hopes lawmakers will get down to business on the energy issue after this fall's presidential election. While overseas sales have made China the third biggest market worldwide for Dow with about 20% annual growth there over the last five years. .

2003 ended better then expected for the world's largest plastics and chemicals company with shareholders receiving a $1.87 increase over the year compared to a negative 37 cents in 2002.

Additional discussion on Dow's financial situation will take place during the annual shareholders meeting next month.