2020 Jan/Feb Connection

ECONOMIC OUTLOOK 2020

Presidential Perspectives

Howdy, It was great to see everyone at our 2019 Annual Banquet. Another attendance record was set, but more importantly, the incredible caliber of leadership from our business, professional and educational sectors was on display. The attendees at the Chamber banquet are always a Who’s Who of Brazos Valley businesses. Congratulations once again to Randy French of Stylecraft Builders, our Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year; Debbie Holladay of Holladay and Associates, our Volunteer of the Year; and to Katerina Hall, our Chamber Ambassador of the Year!

As we celebrated the end of another successful year in the B/CS market, many of those at our banquet were already looking ahead to the exciting potential of the new year. I hope our 2020 Economic Outlook Conference helps our members with their forecasting and planning for business in the coming year. Many say it is one of the most important programs the Chamber produces each year. I know that the EOC planning committee works almost year-round to deliver the best and most important business data to our members at this conference. I tell everyone that if you are not at the Chamber Economic Outlook Conference, your competition probably will be. I will see you there!

Matt Prochaska, the President/CEO of the Brazos Valley Economic Development Corporation, has an article in this issue of Connections that you

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PHIL SHACKELFORD

Board Chair

GREG ZWEIACKER

Chair-Elect

VICKI REIM

Immediate Past Chairman

JASON CORNELIUS

Vice Chair of Leadership

JAMES LARKIN

Vice Chair of Finance & Physical Resources

SUSAN GIPSON

Vice Chair of Business Development

WADE BECKMAN

Vice Chair of Communications

WALTER HINKLE

Vice Chair of Community Enhancement

BARBIE PATTERSON

Vice Chair of Membership Enhancement

RICARDO DIAZ Board Secretary

MONICA BROWN

AUSTIN BRYAN

JOHN BUSH

JOHN C. “JACK” CULPEPPER III

ZACH ETHERIDGE

do not want to miss. Matt is also a speaker at the Chamber Economic Outlook Conference and we want to thank him for all his help. We also want to thank all of our EOC speakers that are listed later in this issue.

Upcoming events that you may want to look into on our Chamber calendar include our Community Impact Award Luncheon and the always popular Taste of Aggieland. We recognize HUB certifiable businesses and the contributions they make to our community at our luncheon, as well as the efforts of our new Community Outreach Committee.

The very best of the Chamber’s restaurants are on display with food samples at the Taste of Aggieland. This event is always a favorite, and we help raise funds for culinary scholarships with our local Texas Restaurant Association members.

At the B/CS Chamber of Commerce, we recognize that our businesses are stronger together than apart. Thank you for your membership, and thank you for building a stronger, healthier community through stronger, healthier businesses.

GLEN BREWER

PRESIDENT & CEO

Welcome New Chamber Members

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JILL GALLAGHER

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AMY RESTIVO

KORI RICH

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STAFF

GLEN BREWER President/CEO

ROYCE HICKMAN Community Liaison

CARRIE ARCHER Manager of Membership

TOM TILTON Manager of Finance

JORDAN PRIHODA Manager of Business Programs

TAYLOR CLARK Communications Coordinator

ALLISON BATTE Special Projects Coordinator

RACHEL NAVE Executive Assistant

LINDA ESPIRIQUETA Receptionist

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2020 Ambassador Team

Left to Right:

First Row: Judy LeUnes, Jared Salvato, Cameron Comire, Kathy Langston, Katerina Hall, Debbie Holladay, Agustin Trevino, Selina Colwell

Second Row: Rachel Carrabba, Jonathan Pawlak, Ken Belden, Brenda Ponzio, Mitchell Kleckley, Ben Caldwell, Brandi Trujillo, Mike Green, Mike Connor, Hans Hammond

Third Row: Lataviya Qualls, Ginny Ford, Christina Hultquist, Mitchell White, Heath Groves, David Hatteberg, Carol Sunseri, Sammi Trehern

Not pictured: Abb Cauthorn, Joe Foster, Blake Kopetsky, Brooke Mason, Kasey Menn, Gene Perez, Dave Ruesink, Christina Seidel, Wade VanDerBoom

If you are interested in joining the B/CS Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, please visit bcschamber.org/ambassadors to fill out an application or call (979) 2605200 for more information!

Pictured

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS

JANUARY 9, 2020

JANUARY 30, 2020

The Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce offers monthly networking opportunities hosted by different businesses each month to connect Chamber members to each other. Socialize, engage and network with the business community from across the Brazos Valley. Our Business After Hours events begin at 5:30 p.m. and wrap up around 7 pm. See you at the next event!

MARCH 5, 2019

Hilton College

Presented by the Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce and Wells Fargo, this conference offers an overview of factors affecting the economy of the Brazos Valley.

featuring Keynote Session by: DR. JAMES GAINES, CHIEF ECONOMIST Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University

ECONOMIC OUTLOOK CONFERENCE ECONOMIC OUTLOOK CONFERENCE

January 29, 2020 • 8:00 a.m.

How important is agriculture in the Brazos Valley? Texas A&M Professor, Dr. Jim Mazurkiewicz, digs in and explores how the green resources grown in our region makes the rest of the world go ‘round.

Agriculture production and agribusiness are “Big Business” in Texas. We are the second largest agriculture producing state, and have an economic impact of $115 billion annually. The Lone Star State leads the nation in the number of farms and ranches with over 248,416 farms and ranches. Of these, 98.5% are owned and operated by farm families.

One in every ten jobs in the United States is in agriculture or related industries. In 2017, 21.6 million full and part-time jobs were related to the agricultural and food sectors, or about 11% of the total US employment. Direct on-farm employment accounted for about 2.6 million of these jobs, or 1.3% of U.S. employment.

Did you know that Brazos County is an agricultural hub for agribusiness and agriculture research? Not only is Brazos County known for its beef, poultry and cotton production, but it is an international, national, state and regional hub for agribusiness and agriculture research.

Brazos County is home to Texas A&M University, Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension, Texas A&M Forest Service and Texas A&M Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Texas A&M University is one of the largest agriculture universities in the United States and largest among state agriculture agencies as well. Texas A&M AgriLife Research has been rated number one for six consecutive years in agriculture research nationally.

Poultry has become the leading agriculture product produced in Brazos County. Sanderson Farms, located in Bryan, has made an economic impact of over $3 billion dollars the past two decades exporting chicken to over 50 countries and creating over 1,100 jobs locally. In addition, Feather Crest Farms in Kurten is one of our state’s leading egg producers.

Beef production in Texas is the number one agriculture commodity with 53% of the state’s total cash receipts.

Brazos County boasts of having over 68,000 head of beef cattle and 290,539 acres of farming and ranching within the county. Brazos Valley Livestock Commission Company in Bryan is one of the leading livestock markets for beef producers in the region.

When it comes to feed, seed, fertilizer, fuel, ag supplies and much more, Producer’s Cooperative is one of the largest member-owned local agricultural supply cooperatives in the nation, serving farmers and ranchers since 1943.

Bryan/College Station is an agribusiness hub for farm and ranch trucks, trailers, tractors and equipment. Gooseneck Trailers is a prominent leader in the United States in livestock trailer and truck bed manufacturing. Regional tractor dealerships include WRI Outdoors & Tractors, WC Tractor, and United Ag & Turf. There are also ten local vehicle dealerships specializing in farm/ranch trucks.

Texas has a dynamic forest industry with 28 of 43 East Texas Counties producing lumber for our local retail outlets including Woodson Lumber & Hardware, Lowe’s and Home Depot.

Agriculture lending is big business, too. Capital Farm Credit is the premier agriculture and rural land lender in Texas and is headquartered in Bryan. The twin cities are also home to over 23 local financial institutions that serve local farmers and ranchers.

The Brazos County Expo Complex has become one the state’s leading agriculture exposition venues with over 139,000 visitors providing an economic impact to Brazos County of over $21 million in fiscal year 2018. In addition, the Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo is dedicated to “showcasing agriculture, education, & youth to enhance our Texas culture” and has been recognized nationally for advocating and promoting agriculture.

Food is agriculture and there is no shortage of restaurants in Bryan/College Station with over 540 operating to serve the twin city population. Messina Hof Winery & Resort, located in Bryan, is the most awarded winery in Texas. HEB, the state’s leading grocer, has several locations in Bryan/College Station providing excellent availability and quality to choose from each day.

As you can see, agriculture is a prominent industry in our state and Brazos County is a leader in agriculture nationally and internationally. Agriculture is “Big Business” and it affects everyone on a daily basis.

JIM MAZURKIEWICZ

PROFESSOR AND LEADERSHIP PROGRAM DIRECTOR TALL PROGRAM - TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY

THE LAND OF OPPORTUNITY

The Brazos Valley Economic Development Corporation has spent the last 30 years helping companies launch, grow and locate in our community.

The BVEDC is a single point of contact to the network of Brazos County governments, state government and private sector professionals to support a company’s project activities and job creation. The 501(c)6 non-profit is funded by the county, the Cities of College Station and Bryan, Texas A&M University, and private investors through the Invest Brazos Valley group. Importantly, the BVEDC works without regard to jurisdiction to provide a more regional approach in finding a business its home in the Brazos Valley.

In May 2018, the BVEDC board voted to change the name of the organization. Previously known as the Research Valley Partnership, the new name better represents the region served and the mission carried out, and has been well received both locally and outside our community.

When many people think of economic development organizations, they think of work done with companies to recruit them to communities. That does make up a significant part of our mission and is the part that tends to make the most headlines. But our work also involves regularly meeting with established local companies to assist them with any needs, because the majority of job growth in a community comes from existing companies. And we work with entrepreneurs looking to start businesses, ensuring they have access to resources that will help them succeed.

The past couple of years have seen significant successes for our region. Bostonbased small business marketing and gift card platform Nift opened offices here, its first outside the northeastern United States. Bryan-born CardioQuip, the leading U.S. manufacturer of a critical device used in major surgeries, worked with the BVEDC to find a spot for its global headquarters, now being built in College Station. Indiana-based NTA is building a corporate campus here for its construction testing and inspection services. Colorado-based virtual medical transcription service Skywriter MD recently opened operations locally. The FUJIFILM Corporation in Japan announced its FUJIFILM Diosynth

Biotechnologies company would expand its existing gene therapy operations in the region’s BioCorridor.

With their announcements, these five companies noted they would be bringing approximately 700 jobs to our area, with aims to grow well beyond that total.

These victories for our community joined a lengthy list of past successes. For example, international companies like Advanta Seeds and Toyo Ink chose our area for U.S. operations. American-born businesses like Wayfair, Viasat, Axis Pipe & Tube, and iBio decided to bring their jobs and wide-reaching work to the Brazos Valley. Locally-started companies like Kent Moore Cabinets and G-CON Manufacturing expanded with help from the BVEDC.

Over the past two years, the BVEDC’s targeted outreach efforts have included more than 100 recruitment visits with companies, regional commercial brokers, international site selectors, and industry consultants. This outreach combined with enhanced marketing efforts resulted in engagement with a total of 139 qualified projects actively considering a new location or expansion within the Brazos Valley. The industry breakdown of these projects is quite diverse, with more than 15 different industry sectors represented. The

sectors with the most activity over the two-year period include Manufacturing (32%), Biotechnology (18%), Technology (14%), and Professional Services (9%). While many of those projects are still being actively recruited, 26 of the 139 projects have selected the Brazos Valley for their project, totaling more than 1,000 new jobs and $86 million in new capital investment in the community.

As you can tell, the range of industries the BVEDC is able to work with is vast. With our location in the middle of the Texas Triangle, our qualified talent and workforce driven by higher education and workforce training, academic and industry engagement, and our outstanding quality of life, more and more companies are recognizing the Brazos Valley as a premier destination to do business.

The world has its eyes on our region, and the BVEDC is working to take advantage of that interest. Since 2010, the International Gateway program has worked with non-U.S. companies looking for a soft landing as they explore opportunities for foreign direct investment in the Brazos Valley and beyond. We have also been proud to partner with Texas A&M Technology Commercialization in hosting companies from overseas wanting to learn more about the business possibilities our region offers.

A team approach, communication, accountability and transparency are critical to the BVEDC. The organization’s board is made up of a wide range of government and business leaders, allowing key community stakeholders the chance to stay informed and in touch with each other. The BVEDC’s staff meets regularly with city and county economic development officials to discuss on-going projects and offer assistance to one another as needed. Invest Brazos

Valley members are provided updates on community activities through regular correspondence and meetings.

At the end of 2018, that team mentality was crucial in the development of an economic development strategy for the region. More than 1,500 people provided input through an online survey, interviews and participation on a steering committee. The resulting report provided insight into the strengths of the community, along with areas of improvement. A coordinating council and action teams are at work to implement the strategy over the next five years. You can find more on the strategy at the BVEDC’s website, brazosvalleyedc. org/economic-development-strategy.

Through the strategy process, three industry sectors were identified for the Brazos Valley to focus on in company recruitment: Applied Research and Development, Engineered Materials and Components, and Professional and Technical Services. The BVEDC has begun exploring opportunities in those areas and is continuing to recruit companies from previously identified target industry sectors: Advanced

Manufacturing, Agriculture, Bioscience, Information Technology, and Logistics and Transportation.

Since September 2018, Texas A&M’s Private Enterprise Research Center has produced a monthly check of the region’s pulse through a partnership with the BVEDC. The “Economic Indicators” report can also be found at brazosvalleyedc.org, and it shows a thriving local economy. Utilizing employment, wage and sales data, PERC has created a Business-Cycle Index for our metro area. Compared to the four major metros of our state and Texas as a whole, only the Austin area has grown at a faster rate since 1995 than the Brazos Valley, according to recent numbers.

The BVEDC is proud to be an Inner Circle member of the Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce and provides support to the Legislative Affairs and Transportation Committees. BVEDC staff takes part in Chamber delegation trips to Washington, DC and Austin for federal and state legislative outreach. New companies recruited by the BVEDC are encouraged to join the Chamber’s outstanding network of

members to fully take advantage of our strong business community.

Business, government and community leaders are encouraging companies to come, create jobs and stay in our special corner of our special state and country. The BVEDC, along with our partners, are working hard and together to continue this important undertaking.

MATT PROCHASKA PRESIDENT/CEO

BRAZOS VALLEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

Destination Wedding. The first thoughts that come to mind are sparkling beaches, snowcapped mountains or the glitz of Las Vegas. Chances are the Brazos Valley isn’t even on your radar, but it should be. You can fill Kyle Field almost twice with the amount of people who attend Brazos Valley weddings each year!

It may come as a surprise to many of you, but the Brazos Valley is quietly becoming a premier Texas wedding destination. The Bridal Association of the Brazos Valley (BABV) is 150 members strong and boasts 50 wedding venues. BABV wedding professionals assist couples who come to the Brazos Valley from all points across the nation, and yes, from foreign countries as well to plan their ideal day right here!

Howdy Y’all!

The Bridal Association of the Brazos Valley is THE wedding professionals organization in our community. You may not be familiar with BABV the organization, but you are probably familiar with our signature events. BABV produces two Wedding Shows per year providing couples a jump-start to their wedding planning by connecting them with local wedding professionals. No longer known as a “bridal show”, couples can acquire essential wedding and event planning inspiration and information all under one roof.

Billboards, radio and television advertising will begin soon promoting the March 1, 2020 Spring Wedding Show. Our Spring and Fall Wedding Shows are the only Wedding Shows that feature 100% local Brazos Valley wedding professionals.

Wedding Show attendance has averaged 200 engaged individuals who are accompanied by an entourage of attendants and family to give rise to a sale of more than 700 tickets per show since 2017. BABV celebrates the success of the shows by supporting The Pink Alliance with donations exceeding $159,000.00 during the past decade.

The formal presentation of the check takes place during our annual Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event, which is hosted by a member of BABV. Save the date for this year’s presentation on March 5, 2020 at Texas A&M Agrilife, one of the many unique and distinctly Brazos Valley wedding venues.

In addition to purchasing advertising and donating to worthy causes, the economy receives a boost with each wedding that takes place locally. The simpler days of backyard receptions with barbeque, beer and a boom box have been eclipsed by spectacular events in private venues with catering, open bar, and a band or DJ. Millions of dollars are spent right here in the Brazos Valley on weddings each year. Millions.

PHOTO: THOMAS ROSS PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO: PATTI DARBY

PHOTO: RYAN PRICE

PHOTO: KATHLYN DRAGNA PHOTOGRAPHY

The Knot, a nationally published wedding magazine and website does an annual survey on wedding costs. In 2018 the 14,000 responding wedding couples spent an average of $33,941.00 on their wedding which included an average of 136 guests. This is a calculation which does not include the honeymoon, hotel accommodations, or the money guests will spend while they are in town for the wedding.

While $34,000 is the national average, it is not uncommon for a wedding budget to exceed $100,000.00 right here in the Brazos Valley, and many Bridal Association wedding professionals feel 136 guests is too low for the average size wedding in our area.

Since 2016, Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Leon, Madison, Milam, Robertson, Walker and Washington Counties issued a combined average of 2800 marriage licenses per year. Brazos County alone averages over 1500 per year.

It is simple to do the math if each wedding averages $34,000.00 per event. The potential economic impact exceeds $50,000,000.00 in Brazos County alone, just on what the couples spend. Many of their guests will travel from out of town, staying in hotel rooms, eating in restaurants, purchasing fuel and other items benefiting businesses that have nothing to do with the wedding itself.

Obviously not every marriage license will yield a $34,000.00 wedding budget with 136 guests. But conservatively, if half of the licenses issued in Brazos County yielded a nationally average wedding, Kyle Field is filled! Factor in half of the other eight counties and you can almost fill Kyle Field a second time!

Wedding guests are not wearing team colors, causing traffic jams or spending tiger paw two-dollar bills on a single Saturday, so you may not even notice them. But they are definitely here all year long, and they are definitely boosting the local economy.

Traditionally, people “come home” to get married. Even when couples register their wedding with the Bridal Association

and provide an out of town address, we assume that a local area code means they are likely originally “from here.” In our experience, this scenario happens about 60% of the time. The other 40% of registered weddings provide a phone number from outside the area suggesting at least one side of the family is from outside the market, necessitating travel for family and childhood friends.

Some are coming home, some are just coming back to Aggieland to revisit a significant time in their lives, but others are just escaping the high prices of the larger nearby cities.

Many families are researching the high cost of hosting a wedding in Houston or Austin and discover the value which impacts their budget by booking the venues and amenities offered in the Brazos Valley: 50 wedding venues, plenty of hotels and restaurants, interesting attractions for time between wedding festivities, and plentiful talented wedding professionals dedicated to assisting in this life changing event. 17% of the couples that registered their wedding with BABV had no contact information

local to any of our 9 county service area. As the Brazos Valley continues to grow, we anticipate more and more non-local weddings to take place here.

Planning a wedding is generally a once in a lifetime experience. The Bridal Association of the Brazos Valley is a vibrant part of the wedding industry helping connect a talented group of experienced wedding professionals with couples to plan one of life’s most meaningful and memorable of days.

Think Destination Wedding. Think Brazos Valley.

And next time you drive past Kyle Field, think about it filled with 100, 000 beautifully dressed wedding guests --twice!

TRAVIS ROLLINS DOWNTOWN EVENT SERVICES

The Floor is Yours...

The Downtown Bryan Association

is pleased to announce that Katelyn Brown, DBA’s Senior Events Coordinator, was recently elected to the Texas Downtown Association (TDA) board of directors. TDA members elected board members during their annual meeting, held in conjunction with the 2019 Texas Downtown Conference in Georgetown. “I am honored to represent Downtown Bryan and am very excited to work closely with other downtown leaders as we continue to develop Texas Downtowns.” said Katelyn Brown. The Texas Downtown Association is a statewide, independent nonprofit that was founded in 1985 to connect and serve downtown professionals and supporters. The organization offers educational opportunities, direct assistance, networking, and more to Texas communities, organizations, and small businesses. Board members serve two-year terms and provide oversight for the organization and staff by leading committees, providing assistance to members, and advocating for downtown development and revitalization. Congratulations, Katelyn!

Brazos Valley Communications

hosted its 34th annual 100-hour Radio M*A*S*H Toy Drive to collect toys and funds for less-fortunate children in the Brazos Valley. This year, they were able to Make a Smile Happen for 8,425 children in our community. Thank you for giving back!

Catalina Hatters

was awarded the Best Downtown Business –population more than 50,000 – at the annual Texas Downtown Association conference. This familyowned business has been located in Downtown Bryan for over 36 years, and is one of a handful of true custom cowboy hatters in the country.

Bryan Broadcasting

vice president and general manager Ben Downs has been elected to the Texas Radio Hall of Fame. He began his career at Bryan Broadcasting in 1972 and is completing his 50th year in radio broadcasting. Downs was selected for this honor by colleagues and peers who have been employed in Texas radio, and was inducted at the new Texas Museum of Broadcasting and Communications in Kilgore.

KBTX

hosted their 24th annual Food for Families Food Drive on December 4th to alleviate hunger in the Brazos Valley. This annual day of giving benefits the Brazos Valley Food Bank whose mission is to “eliminate hunger by the distribution of food and grocery products through a network of nonprofit organizations while providing education and community awareness on issues of hunger.” Over 156,550 pounds of food were collected and $160,707 of cash donations were received. Together we can make a difference!

The Chamber Spotlight shares company news with the community. New leadership, major changes, anniversaries, employee achievementscelebrate milestones with a message!

“The Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce invites you to attend the 2020 Community Impact Awards Tuesday, February 25 11:45 am - 1:00 pm Phillips Event Center Individual: $30

“There are so many benefits the Chamber provides, from networking events and the Ambassador Program to referrals from fellow members, but I am most passionate about the Economic Outlook Conference. The quality of presenters and the business development opportunities are unmatched.”

”RAYNE KNIGHTZINGELMANN AGGIELAND ROOFING

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