Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce BrownwoodChamber.org Monthly Newsletter—August 2014
20th Annual Business Showcase
Inside This Issue
Presented by KTXS TV September 4th
Page 2 *Shop Local *Harvey House
Page 3 *August Luncheon
Page 4 *New Members *Upcoming Events *Ribbon Cutting
Page 5 *National Night Out
Page 6 *Renewing Members
It is time again for the Annual Business Showcase hosted by the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce. For 20 years, the Brownwood Chamber has provided a venue for local businesses to network with over 1,000 potential clients/ customers in one location and ultimately grow their business and the local economy. This year will not be any different; the 20th Annual Business Showcase will feature over 70 local businesses in various lines of trade from banking, insurance and energy to home health services and personal well being. The show will open at 10:00 AM on Thursday, September 4th at the Brownwood Coliseum and will feature well-known, established businesses as well as some of the newest in the Brownwood area. Admission is only $2 and complimentary passes are available for a limited time at the Brownwood Chamber of Commerce office. The first 500 visitors will receive a tote bag to hold all of the valuable information you will likely gather throughout your visit! All visitors to the show will have the opportunity to win booth prizes from each of the exhibitors. Those who participate in the “Bingo” game may enter to win one of the Grand Door Prizes! For the 8th year, the “Taste of Brownwood” – Presented by Sodexo - BRMC returns to offer the community an opportunity to sample favorite recipes from local restaurants, caterers and bakeries. From 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, showcase visitors can visit restaurant row and sample tasty treats from local restaurants. Each visitor will receive 4 FREE Taste of Brownwood tickets with the $2 admission fee. Those who choose to enter with a complimentary pass will need to purchase Taste of Brownwood tickets for a $1 each at the door the day of the show. Make plans to attend, visit with people you have known for years and get to know the new faces in town. Take time to learn about the products and services offered by each one of these local business owners. The Brownwood Chamber encourages local residents to “shop local” to support local businesses and our local economy. Every dollar that you spend in Brownwood generates the funds used to better the community that we all call home. This successful event is made possible by the following sponsors:
Page 7 Presenting Sponsor
*United Groundbreaking
KTXS – TV
Page 8 *Brownwood Store
Gold Sponsors Citizens National Bank
Grand Prize Sponsor Brownwood Regional Medical Center
Songbird Lodge
Taste of Brownwood Sponsor
Tote Bag Sponsor
Sodexo-BRMC
Echo Wireless
Awards Sponsor Wal-Mart
Thrivent Financial
Shop Local for Back-to-School As the first day of school fast approaches, families will soon be visiting stores to purchase all of the essentials for back-to-school time. The Brownwood and Early Chambers of Commerce want to remind area residents how important shopping at local retailers can be by launching a shop local campaign for back-toschool.
The campaign is designed to raise awareness of the importance in
keeping local dollars local and how it affects public services, local business, jobs and community activities. “Each time you make a local purchase, you support local jobs,” said Ray Tipton, Executive Director for the Brownwood Chamber. “During tougher times like these, spending those dollars at home makes an even greater impact on the local economy.” He said that sales tax generated by local purchases goes to fund important city departments such as fire, police, parks, library, and senior services.
Business-
es also support and sponsor local events and activities that make Brown County a great place to live. “We realized that not everything is available in Brown County stores, but we want to encourage local shoppers to look here first before making a trip out of town,” said Early Chamber Director Wanda Furgason. “Shoppers will often save time and money by shopping locally instead of taking a long trip.” Why Buying Local Benefits You: More money is put into our local economy; Jobs are created & saved; Local businesses support community activities; Better customer service & convenience; Tax dollars fund our local fire, police, & parks departments. The 2014 Shop Local campaign is sponsored by Kohler Company, Abilene Regional Airport, ServiceMaster, AT&T, West Central Wireless, Staples, Thrivent Financial, Wal-Mart, Weakley-Watson True Value Hardware, the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Early Chamber of Commerce.
Brownwood Chamber Harvey House Centennial Club Spots Still Available The Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the opening of Harvey House in Brownwood. The building currently houses the offices of the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce and the Gordon Wood Hall of Champions Museum, but this historical location next to the Depot was originally a restaurant offering a fine dining experience. Opened by the Fred Harvey Company in 1914, this Harvey House was a hub of activity through World War II. The beautiful 2-story structure was renovated in the 1990's and donated to the city of Brownwood. To commemorate the 100th anniversary, the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce will be unveiling a plaque on December 15 of this year bearing the names of supporters through the Centennial Club. To join the Harvey House Centennial Club and have a name inscribed on the plaque costs $100 and is limited to the first 100 participants. All funds raised will be put back into the preservation of the interior of the Harvey House. Tours of the Harvey House are also available. For information on joining the Harvey House Centennial Club, call the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce at 325-646-9535.
August Luncheon to Feature Brownwood and Early ISDs The Brownwood and Early Chambers of Commerce will be co-hosting the August Chamber luncheon featuring the local school districts. The luncheon will be held Friday, August 15th from 11:30 AM to 1 PM at the Brownwood Country Club. Cost is $12 per person for the buffet lunch. Attendees will hear from Brownwood ISD Superintendent Reece Blincoe and newly hired Early ISD Superintendent Wes Beck. Each will outline what parents and the community can expect from each district for the new school year. Prior to taking his position with Brownwood ISD, Dr. Blincoe taught Agriculture Science at Southside High School in San Antonio and Leander High School where they were designated “Best Agriculture Departments in Texas� in 1997. He is the former Superintendent of Schools at Stockdale ISD in Stockdale, TX a position he held for 4 years. Reece has been Superintendent at Brownwood ISD for 6 1/2 years. He earned his doctorate from University of Texas at Austin in Educational Leadership soon after he moved here. Wes Beck has been superintendent in Shamrock - a district with just over 300 students on Interstate 40 near the Oklahoma border - since 2007. He was principal at Early High School from 2003-2007 and worked in Stephenville from 1980 to 2003 as a teacher and assistant principal. Presenting sponsors for this luncheoninclude Baird Brothers Express Car Wash and Brownwood Regional Medical Center. Table Sponsors include Allegiance Ambulance, Elliott Electric Supply Company, and Redstone Park. Door prizes provided by IntegraCare Home Health, MAK Images, Staples, Trees Forever Nursery, and West/Central Texas Valuation Services, and Zija International Independent Distributor. To register for the luncheon, call the Brownwood Chamber at 325-646-9535 or the Early Chamber of Commerce at 325-649-9300.
Upcoming Events
WELCOME NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS! Texas Rock Crusher Railway – The Brownwood Area Chamber of Com-
merce is pleased to welcome Texas Rock Crusher Railway as one of its newest members. Founded in 1998, Texas Rock Crusher Railway offers transportation, 12—Young Leaders Monthly rail car services and rail repair services. For more information visit www.txrSocial—TBA 15—Chamber Monthly Lunch- rr.com. August
eon—Brownwood Country Club 19—3rd Annual Chairman’s Breakfast
September th
4—20 Annual Business Showcase—Brownwood Coliseum 9—Young Leaders Monthly Social - TBA 13 –St. Johns Arts and Crafts Fair 19—Chamber Luncheon— Brownwood Country Club 19-21—Brownwood Reunion Celebration—Downtown Brownwood
October 3 –City Wide Cleanup Day 7—National Night Out 9—Spay-getti Dinner—Adams Street Community Center
Art Classes every Tuesday evening at The Brownwood Art Center Farmer’s Market Every Saturday behind the courthouse square on Fisk Ave. First Saturday of Every Month is Family Day Lehnis Railroad Museum
Echo Transportation – Echo Transportation was founded in 2014 and is pleased to offer inner city travel opportunities from San Angelo to Ft. Worth. Echo Transportation will soon partner with CARR to offer a local bus service in the Brownwood and Early area. For more information on their services visit www.echotransportation.com.
‘Nspired Nail Bar – 'Nspired specializes in beauty products, jewelry as well as pedicures, manicures, waxing, facials, eyelashes and nails. For of your pampering stop by Monday - Saturday 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM and Sundays 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. For more information call Bao at (325) 646-2810.
Premier High School – Established in 2007 as Paradigm Charter School, Premier offers another choice for students seeking education in public school setting. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM. For more information on the school and how to register call (325) 643-3735 or visit www.responsiveed.com.
Ribbon Cuttings Brownwood Chamber Holds Ribbon Cutting for Saint Mary's ABC Academy The Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting on Tuesday, July 29th for the opening of Saint Mary's ABC Academy. ABC Academy provides preschool education for children ages 3 to 5, and classes will be held on Tuesday and Thursdays from 10 AM to 2:30 PM. Classes will follow the Brownwood ISD schedule and begin the first week of September. There is a supply fee of $50. To register a child, call 325-646-7455 or visit their location at 1101 Booker St. Pictured are Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce ambassadors and St. Mary's church members during the ribbon cutting.
Time to Register Neighborhoods for National Night Out Neighbors throughout Brown County are being invited to join forces for the 2014 National Night Out (NNO) crime and drug prevention event on Tuesday, October 7th. Coordinators of the local NNO event are currently looking for block captains to organize small gatherings in neighborhoods in Brown County. These gatherings will be a rallying point where neighbors can meet each other, visit with law enforcement officials, and send a message to potential criminals. This is the 4th year for the local National Night Out effort and participation has grown every year. From 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on October 7th, residents in neighborhoods throughout Brown County are asked to lock their doors, turn on outside lights and spend the evening outside with neighbors and police. Many neighborhoods throughout the area will be hosting a variety of special events such as block parties, cookouts, visits from police, contests, and other activities. National Night Out is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime efforts; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back. Representatives from the Brownwood Police Department, Brown County Sheriff's Office, Early Police Department, Bangs Police Department, area fire departments, and city officials will travel around Brownwood, Early, Bangs and Brown County during the event to visit these gatherings and speak to those in attendance. For more information or to register as a block captain, contact the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce at 325-6469535. Local participating sponsors for the 2014 National Night Out include Heart of Texas Crime Stoppers, 3M Company, Allegiance Ambulance, Wal-Mart, Atmos Energy, Heart of Texas EMS, KYOX, Oncor, TexasBank and Weldon Wilson Electric.
A Special THANK YOU to the following businesses that renewed their Membership in the month of July. We greatly appreciate your continued support of the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce and the Brownwood Community! Affiliated Bank Baird Brothers Express Car Wash Bangs Nursing Home BHCS Home Health Brookeshire’s Brownwood Board of Realtors Brownwood Community Concert Association Bruner Auto Group Bruner Toyota Choice Hire Staffing Clear Fork Roofing Cornerstone Pet Hospital Eastlawn Memorial Park Elliott Electric Supply Executive Inn Factory Connection Flowers by Phyllis Ice Age Jacob’s Family Pharmacy Joe Sheppard Designs Keep Brownwood Beautiful Longhorn Auto Sales Main Street Car Wash Moore Printing Rufus F. Hardin Museum Spanish Dagger Sun Loan Company Texas Center for Oral and Facial Surgery The Turtle Restaurant and Gelateria Thrivent Financial Trees Forever Nursery US Docks/Wild Duck Marina Verizon
United Supermarkets Breaks Ground on New Brownwood Store
United Supermarkets held a groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, July 28th their future location in Brownwood at 300 E. Commerce. Representatives from United Supermarkets were on hand to discuss the project which includes a United Supermarket and a United Express Convenience Store. Community leaders from the City of Brownwood, Brownwood Economic Development Corporation and the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce spoke during the event. The new supermarket will be over 40,000 sq. ft. once completed and will employ over 100 people. This will be the southernmost store owned by United Supermarkets in the state of Texas. The project is expected to be completed in June 2015.
Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors 2014-2015
NEW at the BROWNWOOD STORE!!!!!!
Chip Camp —Chairman BRMC Tim Espinoza—Past Chairman TexasBank Kim Peterson Heartland Mall Jill Evans Family Services Center James Simmons Loadcraft Priscilla Monson West Central Texas Valuation Services Daniel Hutson Council Finance Marisha Stidom Superior Essex David Robnett Robnett Insurance Paul Underwood Underwoods Cafeteria Donna Wilhelm Auto Glass Magic Clint Dempsey Howard Payne University Kim Bruton Runaway Train Cafe
New Texas T-Shirts Available in assorted sizes and colors.
Chamber Staff ————————————————————— Ray Tipton—Executive Director Sunni Modawell—Tourism Director Missi Malone—Membership Director Martha Faetche—Visitor Center & Brownwood Store Manager Dawn Norway—Office Manager
Call Martha at the Brownwood Store at 325-646-9535 for more info or visit us inside the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce (600 E. Depot St. )