Aramco Americas CEO, Houston mayor break ground for tech library

Aramco joined about 75 city officials, community leaders and school children October 24 for a groundbreaking ceremony to construct a new Dixon Houston Public Library
Aramco joined about 75 city officials, community leaders and school children October 24 for a groundbreaking ceremony to construct a new Dixon Houston Public Library, with Aramco providing major funding. The neighborhood library on Houston’s north side had been closed for renovation and then damaged beyond repair by Hurricane Harvey.

Aramco joined about 75 city officials, community leaders and school children October 24 for a groundbreaking ceremony to construct a new Dixon Houston Public Library, with Aramco providing major funding.  The neighborhood library on Houston's north side had been closed for renovation and then damaged beyond repair by Hurricane Harvey.


Sylvester Turner and Mohammad Alshammari
Aramco Americas President & CEO Mohammad Alshammari (left) and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner (right)  were in attendance for the major milestone.

Aramco Americas made a $1.6 million donation to rebuild the library, which was part of the company's broader community relations program to help the city rebuild after the storm.

“What this construction means is that the city remains strong, resilient and sustainable,” said Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner.

Joining the mayor in thanking Aramco for supporting the Houston Public Library (HPL) were Jerry Davis, Vice Mayor Pro Tem and Dr. Rhea Brown Lawson, Executive Director, HPL.

Mohammad Alshammari, President & CEO and Abdulrahman Bayounis, Director of Public Affairs, Aramco Americas were in attendance for the major milestone.

The new library concept called TECHLink is scheduled to open in summer 2020.  It will provide public access to emerging, leading edge multi-media technologies.

“We looked and listened closely to how we could help the city,” said Alma Kombargi, who leads Strategic Communications, Aramco Americas.

“Aramco is a big believer in STEM education and this represents what can be accomplished through public and private collaboration. We look to inspire and be a catalyst for others to join in supporting Houston libraries.”   

While the library will look much different it will still have the same “heart and soul” as the Amanda Dixon neighborhood library opened in the 1970s.  

In attendance were Dixon family members and students from nearby Kashmere Gardens Elementary School.

Click here to learn more about our partnership to rebuild the Dixon Houston Public Library, as well as other initiatives to improve the communities in which we live and work.


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