2021 May-June Connection

CON NEC TIONS BRYAN / COLLEGE STATION CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MAY - JUNE 2021

HOWDY NEIGHBOR THE B/CS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE VISIT NEARLY 800 LOCAL BUSINESSES IN ONE DAY! LOCAL EVE N TS

The MS150 Comes to Town

C O MMUNIT Y INSIGHTS

Brazos County Vaccine Hub

LO CAL BUSINESS Chamber Day 2021

Running a Successful Business is Your Daily Goal.

Features

Calendar

Ours is Making Sure You Reach It, EVERY day.

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3 It’s not just any business. It’s your business. After years of dedication and hard work, you’ve grown it into a success. In today’s business climate, you need every tool and advantage to keep things running smoothly and securely. First Financials’ local Treasury Management Team can provide financial guidance and expertise every day.

Our local specialists help you manage cash flow, handle payables and receivables, and guard against fraud and risk.

When it comes to your business, First Financial Treasury Management puts You First.

P RESI DE N T I AL P E RSP E C T I VES

05 .13.21 LBA A S PR I N G E V E N T Lake Walk

A Message from Glen Brewer

05 .13.21 D E LU X E R I BBON C U T T I N G

N E W ME MB E RS

The Angry Elephant Bryan

Welcoming New Businesses to Bryan/College Station

05 .13.21

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D E LU X E R I BBON C U T T I N G

Brazos Valley Welding Supply, Inc

C H AMB E R P RO GRAMS

Business After Hours May/June

JUNE

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06 .03.21 D E LU X E R I BBON C U T T I N G

LO C AL E VE N TS

Reserve at Cottonwood Creek

The MS150 Comes to Town

06 .10.21 S OF T BA LL C L ASS I C

YOU FIRST | FFIN.com

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Bomber Stadium

C O MMUN I T Y I N SI GH TS Brazos Valley Vaccine Hub

06 .15 .21 D E LU X E R I BBON C U T T I N G VeraBank

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LO C AL B USI N ESS Chamber Day 2021

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MEMBER FDIC

D E LU X E R I BBON C U T T I N G Frost Bank

Cal McNeill

Executive Vice President NMLS# 510054 979-260-2109 cmcneill@ffin.com

06 .16 .21

C H AMB E R SP OT L I GH T The Floor is Yours...

DE LUX E RI B B O N C UT T I N GS Celebrate the Start of Something New in B/CS

06 .17.21 BU S I N ESS A F T E R HOU R S The Stella Hotel

The B/CS Chamber of Commerce is excited to welcome Promises Behavioral Health to our community!

MAY - JUNE 2021

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CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

PRESIDENTIAL

PERSPECTIVES

BOAR D O F DI R EC TO R S GR EG Z W EI ACK ER Board Chair

WA DE B ECK M AN Chair-Elect

New Chamber Members

P H I L SHACK ELF OR D

Immediate Past Chairman

J ASON COR N ELI U S

Vice Chair of Leadership

DOU G F R EN CH

Vice Chair of Business Development

WA LTER HI N K LE

Vice Chair of Community Enhancement

BA RB I E PAT TER SON

Vice Chair of Membership Enhancement

H G L EN B R E W E R PRESI D E N T & C E O

M ATICA BIOTE CHN OLOGY

D O S RI O S RANCH

P.O.E .T.S . BILLIARDS AN D S P ORTS BAR

2052 Holleman Drive West College Station, TX 77840 (979) 739-3012 burgermojo.com

A M Y R ESTI VO

Vice Chair of Finance & Physical Resources

owdy! The year is off to a great start at the Chamber, especially considering how our spring started in 2020. We learned about the potential for pandemic recovery in our community at our Economic Outlook Conference in February. And at our 12th annual Chamber Day Event in March, we visited with Bryan-College Station businesses and learned about their actual recovery successes and roadblocks. We have been able to visit over 700 businesses this year as we take another step toward our pre-Covid numbers. More details from Chamber Day are featured on Page 16 of this Connections issue.

Congratulations to the winners of our 2021 Community Impact Awards: Linnann Collins with Comfort Keepers, Mary Beth House with Curious Collections, and the ownership team at Tone 360 Fitness Studio. These three minority-owned businesses are deserving of this award because of the impact they have made on their customers and our community.

The Chamber recognizes that businesses are only as strong as their employees, and good businesses prioritize the health and well-being of their staffs. The Chamber’s Health and Wellness Committee is focused on promoting a healthy workforce through informative luncheons, the Watercooler 5k, and our new Wellness Challenge. This issue of Connections highlights our health care-related Chamber members and their impact on our community. We thank our Chamber members who allowed employees to leave work a little early on May 6 to do something healthy together as a team in our annual Watercooler 5K. It was a great day, and we are already looking forward to next year’s event.

In mid-March, our Chamber of Commerce Ag Council hosted our 23rd annual Crawfish Boil, sponsored by Amarillo Nation Bank. The event raised over $13,000 to benefit our local 4-H and FFA students, which was used to purchase 12 projects at the Brazos County Youth Livestock Show, and to bid on many more. For a list of all Crawfish Boil sponsors, see Page 11 of this issue.

The Chamber is grateful to our members for continuing to build a stronger, healthier business community. Thank you for your membership and everything you do to make our Brazos Valley the best place to live, work, and play.

BU RGER MO JO #2

17146 FM 485 Cameron, TX 76520 (979) 412-2381 facebook.com/hunt4theday

K ELLY AGEN T S I DNEY BACKSTR OM M O N I CA B R OW N AUSTI N B RYAN JOHN B U SH GE OF F R EY CHR I STI AN J OH N C. “JACK ” CU LPEPPER I I I B E LI N DA DOB SON Z ACH ETHER I DGE J I L L GALL AGHER J OR DAN JAN U SE B O M I LES DEM ON D OLI VER BA RB I E PAT TER SON H EATH POOLE M A R I E P ORTALES R ODR I GU EZ AS HLEY SAN DER S PAT SHI ELDS AGUSTI N TR EVI N O

F O U R D OWNS SPO RTS BAR 700 University Dr. E, Suite 101 College Station, TX 77840 (979) 704-5049 facebook.com/fourdownsbcs

2501 Earl Rudder Freeway College Station, TX 77845 (979) 321-7500 maticabio.com

1637 Texas Avenue South College Station, TX 77840 (979) 696-3351 poetsbilliardsbcs.com

S TIBBS & CO., P.C.

750 Willam D Fitch, #210 College Station, TX 77845 (979) 383-2270 stibbsco.com

I SP SAF ET Y SERVI CES 2704 Boonville Road Bryan, TX 77808 (979) 778-0321 ispsafetyservices.com

S TAFF GLEN B R EW ER President/CEO

R OYCE HI CK M AN

Community Liaison

CAR R I E AR CHER

Manager of Membership

B Y THE B OOK B OOK K E E P I NG SE RVI C E L LC

5258 Rolling Meadow Drive College Station, TX 77845 (979) 571-8526

GUMBEAUX CAJ UN CATERING COMPANY

3805 Williams Bend Bryan, TX 77808 (979) 255-2335

KERR SURVEYING

409 North Texas Avenue Bryan, TX 77803 (979) 268-3195

U. S C O N G R ESS M A N P E T E S ESS I O N S T X- 1 7

2700 Earl Rudder Fwy. S., Suite 4500 College Station, TX 77845

TOM TI LTON

Manager of Finance

J ORDAN PR I HODA

Manager of Business Programs

TAYLOR M AN GOLD

C BS R E N TA LS

H E Y S U G A R C A N DY S TO R E

N ES TL É TO L L H O U S E C A FÉ BY C HIP 1500 Harvey Rd, Suite 6000 College Station, TX 77840 (979) 450-7655

WALTON RANCH BIRD HUNTING

144 Century Sq Dr, Suite 101 College Station, TX 77840 (979) 704-5143

C E N T E X C O U N T E RTO P S

H OW DY E N T E R P R I S E , LT D

N E W P H AS E H O M E B U I L D E R S

YEPC O M A/V & H O ME AUTO MATIO N L LC

1500 University Oaks Blvd.

College Station, TX 77840 (979) 324-4388

5552 Raymond Stotzer Pky, Ste 212 College Station, TX 77845 (979) 446-4757

C O M M A N D E R S C OV E

J B G P LU M B I N G

T H E T I LT E D P I N T P U B

Z ASKO DA REPAIR L LC

2787 North Earl Rudder Fwy Bryan, TX 77807 (979) 253-5155

P.O Box 635 Millican, TX 77866 (979) 571-2191

Membership Investment Representative

TAY LOR CL AR K

Communications Coordinator

A LLI SON BAT TE

Special Projects Coordinator

712 Ashford Hills Drive Bryan, TX 77801 (979) 775-7029

4256 State Highway 21 W Caldwell, TX 77836 (877) 894-6939

L I N DA ESPI R I QU ETA Receptionist

Chamber Connections is a publication of the Bryan/ College Station Chamber of Commerce and a public service to Chamber members. Editorial and advertising inquiries should be addressed to Taylor Clark by email at taylor@bcschamber.org.

215 University Drive College Station, TX 77841 (979) 436-3965

4425 Rock Prairie West College Station, TX 77845 (979) 777-4420

4248 Boonville Road Bryan, TX 77802 (979) 485-2360

3434 County Road 233 Caldwell, TX 77836 (979) 224-0510

B RYA N CR EATI VE GR OU P Publication Design

N E WM A N PR I N TI N G COM PAN Y 2

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Publication Printing

MAY - JUNE 2021

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CHAMBER PROGRAMS

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS 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!

CHAMBER PHOTOS

J UNE 17, 20 21

FOLLOWING CHAMBER DAY, ALLEN HONDA HOSTED A WONDERFUL BUSINESS AFTER HOURS! THANK YOU ALLEN HONDA AND EVERYONE THAT JOINED US!

Hosted By:

THE STELLA HOTEL J ULY 29 , 20 21

THE B/CS CHAMBER CELEBRATED OUR COMMUNITY LIAISON, ROYCE HICKMAN, FOR HIS 80TH BIRTHDAY DURING A RIBBON CUTTING WITH ANOTHER BROKEN EGG CAFÉ! THANK YOU TO EVERYONE THAT WAS ABLE TO JOIN US!

WE ENJOYED VISITING THE BRAZOS VALLEY AFRICAN AMERICAN DURING CHAMBER DAY 2021!

Hosted By:

BRENHAM NATIONAL BANK KICKED OFF THE ECONOMIC OUTLOOK CONFERENCE HEARING FROM DR. SETH SULLIVAN, BRAZOS COUNTY HEALTH AUTHORITY, AND CHAD WOOTTON WITH TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY!

B/CS CHAMBER PRESIDENT & CEO, GLEN BREWER, AND CHAMBER BOARD CHAIRMAN, GREG ZWEIACKER, AT THE 23RD ANNUAL B/CS CHAMBER CRAWFISH BOIL. THANK YOU TO OUR TITLE SPONSOR, AMARILLO NATIONAL BANK!

THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR 2021 ECONOMIC OUTLOOK CONFERENCE SPEAKERS. THIS EVENT WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT ALL OF YOU!

T HA N K YO U

TO O U R M A R C H/ A P R I L B U SINESS AFTER HOU RS HOSTS! INN AT QUARRY RIDGE • ALLEN HONDA • CENTURY SQUARE ARTS COUNCIL OF THE BRAZOS VALLEY STOP #1 FOR B/CS CHAMBER DAY 2021 WAS THE RANCH HARLEY-DAVIDSON! WE ENJOY VISITING WITH OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES EACH YEAR ON CHAMBER DAY.

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STOPPED IN CC CREATIONS DURING THIS YEAR’S CHAMBER DAY TO CATCH UP WITH OWNER, KENNY LAWSON!

MAY - JUNE 2021

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ECONOMIC OUTLOOK CONFERENCE

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

New Women’s Facility Brings New Opportunities

BAC K T O B U S I N E S S THANK YOU to our 2021 Sponsors!

WANT TO SEE YOUR BUSINESS FEATURED? Gain exposure and promote your business with a paid advertorial in the B/CS Chamber of Commerce Connections magazine.

Email Taylor Clark, Communications Coordinator for the Chamber of Commerce at taylor@bcschamber. org or by phone at 979260-5200.

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T

he Brazos Valley Pavilion for Women is now open at St. Joseph Health College Station Hospital. Located at 1604 Rock Prairie Road, College Station, Texas, the Brazos Valley Pavilion for Women is an expansion of women’s services in a newly renovated location. In this new space, St. Joseph Health is able to provide the latest medical resources for women and children in one convenient place.

The new Brazos Valley Pavilion for Women offers all of the features previously offered at St. Joseph Health Regional Hospital in Bryan, Texas, with a few additions. These features include an OB Hospitalist Program with OB/GYN physicians in hospital 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; dedicated Anesthesia providers on site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; a Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; our continued partnership with

Texas Children’s Hospital; 13-Private NICU Rooms; Robotic Gynecology Services and Ronald McDonald House Charities Family Rooms. Additionally, breast feeding assistance, low intervention birthing suites and Mom365 newborn photography are offered at the Pavilion for Women.

Our newest feature, the 13 all-private NICU rooms, give our tiniest patients additional safety and care by limiting exposure and providing a better experience for patient and family visitation.

“We believe everyone deserves access to quality, affordable care, and services, and this move aligns with our mission of emphasizing human dignity and social justice while creating healthier communities,” said Theron Park, President and CEO of St. Joseph Health. “We will continue to care for the most vulnerable in our

communities, but by moving this service to College Station Hospital, we improve accessibility to it. As with anything we do regarding patient care, we kept our mission and values at the forefront of this decision.”

Additionally, this move allows for new growth opportunities at Regional Hospital that will serve the residents of the Brazos Valley. St. Joseph Health is committed to providing exceptional healthcare you can depend on when it matters most and is excited to serve you in our new facility.

T R ACY BAT ES COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER ST. JOSEPH HEALTH

Session Sponsors

Break Sponsors

Refreshment Sponsors

Media Sponsors

Notepad Sponsors

American Momentum Bank, Another Broken Egg Cafe, Binkley & Barfield BV Economic Development Corporation, B/CS Apartment Association, Capital Farm Credit Extraco Banks, Kyle Office Products

LOCAL EVENTS

CAROLINE BARRETT will graduate from Texas A&M in May. But before she accepts her finance degree, she’ll finish a 100-mile bike ride on Kyle Field. Two things she wasn’t always sure were possible.

“I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in November 2015, two weeks after my 17th birthday,” Caroline says.

“My left side progressively started to go numb and lose strength. I looked in the mirror and smiled, and my face wasn’t working on one side. I knew this was serious, and I needed to go to the hospital.”

After a week at Texas Children’s, where she had a spinal tap and MRI, Caroline received the life-altering diagnosis.

“When I woke up, the neurology team was there. They showed me all the lesions. I didn’t know they were lesions then – but I knew the little bright dots throughout my brain weren’t good.

Coming out of the hospital, it was difficult to come to terms with my diagnosis.”

Six years later, Caroline, who previously had no cycling experience, has become an avid cyclist in Bike MS: Texas MS 150, an event that raises money and awareness for the National MS Society.

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“I wasn’t sure my MS would allow me to do such a feat of riding that many miles. I got to prove to myself that I can do it. I want to ride for everyone else with MS who can’t. Crossing the finish line was an amazing moment.”

Brenda Buchanan, Senior Director of Bike MS at the National MS Society, said this year’s ride will feature an extra special experience as riders finish alongside the 50-yard line on Texas A&M’s legendary Kyle Field.

“Being on the field is something few people get to experience so the fact that our cyclists are getting this opportunity is exciting. They will get to take pictures on-field with their bike and the scoreboard in the background.”

Cyclists can choose from four routes starting in Katy, Waller, Todd Mission and La Grange, ranging from 68-102 miles.

“This is a ride, not a race,” Brenda says.

“With rest stops every 10-15 miles and

multiple route options, we cater to cyclists of all levels as well as those who want to get started. The ride is fully-supported, and we have training resources available.”

This year’s event will feature enhanced safety protocols and allow for social distancing.

“We are dedicated to keeping our riders, volunteers and the community safe,” Buchanan says.

Caroline can’t wait to show off College Station to her fellow 3,000 riders.

Bike MS: Texas MS 150 is the largest ride in the Bike MS fundraising series with a goal to raise $7.1 million this year to help the National MS Society to fund research and provide support for the nearly 1 million people living with multiple sclerosis in the United States.

“MY HEART WILL ALWAYS BE IN COLLEGE STATION,” CAROLINE SAYS. “I KNOW THE ENTIRE CITY WILL STEP UP AND BE THE GREAT HOSTS THAT THEY ARE. THERE ARE SO MANY AMAZING PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES HERE THAT WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE EXPERIENCE.”

Caroline says. “I’ve met great friends and had great experiences, and I really attribute that to the National MS Society.”

Caroline says she has not only benefited from the additional treatment options made possible by the National MS Society’s research funding,but the programs the Society offered have also helped her cope with her diagnosis.

“They provided me hope and a community of support. I always know that no matter what they have my back and everyone else’s back that is affected by MS.” To learn more about Bike MS: Texas MS 150, visit bikemstexas150.org.

L A U R A PE M B E R TO N DIRECTOR, CONTENT NATIONAL MS SOCIETY

“My mentality has totally changed,” MAY - JUNE 2021

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centennial arts

Bounce Bounce back back quick quick from from COVID! COVID! Scan Scan the the QR QR code code below below to to hit hit the the ground ground running. running.

thank you to all of our 2021

Crawfish Boil sponsors!

Thanks to your generous donations, we were able to support the youth of Brazos County Youth Livestock Show Auction.

Streamline Streamline Integrated Integrated Online Online Services Services - HIPAA and PIPEDA/PHIPA compliant - HIPAA and PIPEDA/PHIPA compliant - Combined digital platform services and CMS for easy staff management - Combined digital platform services and CMS for easy staff management - Protect our seniors using our Telehealth technologies - Protect our seniors using our Telehealth technologies - Build your online presence and reputation management - Build your online presence and reputation management - Dramatically reduce overhead using integrated online solutions: - Dramatically reduce overhead using integrated online solutions:  Online bill pay  Filters by specialties  Appointment scheduling  Online bill pay  Filters by specialties  Appointment scheduling

Debi stoll, inhabit real estate group

Brazos Valley Livestock Commission ] Brown & Company ] Citizens Bank ] City Bank ] Elmer Schnieder Explore.US ] Fred Martin ] Hoelscher, Lipsey, Elmore, Poole & Turnbill, P.C. ] Promises Brazos Valley SignatureCare ER ] Southwest Agribusiness Consulting Inc. ] Texas Mutual ] VetCor ] Wild Blue Iris food sponsors

Hillier Funeral Home ] M-Beaux’s Crawfish & Cajun Seafood contributing sponsors Admail ] Bryan Broadcasting ] Chicken Express ] Connie & John Giesenschlag ] G&N Concessions ] HEB Hilton College Station ] Integ ] KAGS ] KBTX Media ] Kristen Distributing Company ] Pepsi ] Slovacek’s ] The Eagle The Farm Patch ] TNT Security Solutions

COMMUNITY INSIGHTS

B/CS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SMALL BUSINESS COVID-19 RAPID TESTING PROGRAM

small businesses throughout the state of Texas, Governor Abbott has invited Chambers of Commerce throughout the state to administer BinaxNow rapid COVID-19 tests to businesses in their communities. In order to participate, each business is required to obtain certification on proper testing protocols, to include test administration and reporting of results as required by law. Each participating business will receive a BinaxNow test kit, facemasks, training, and support. Participating businesses will identify staff members to be trained to administer the tests and report the results, as well as determine the manner that

the voluntary testing will be conducted for their employees. All testing of employees must be voluntary and not a condition of employment. Businesses will also be responsible for establishing appropriate policies for addressing positive COVID-19 test results of their employees, including the notification of local health departments.

The B/CS Chamber of Commerce is looking for small businesses which are interested in participating in the project. For more information, or to register your business to participate, contact Carrie Archer at carrie@bcschamber.org.

established for booking of appointments required both. The solution, establish a call center staffed with bilingual personnel who could answer questions about the process of receiving a vaccine, and who could also schedule people for appointments.

The United Way (UW) stepped up to this challenge, and with the assistance of Brazos County, established the infrastructure and staff to operate the call center.

Hub staff to address a myriad number of challenges, as well as help in planning for future operations.

Another key partner, which took the lead on staffing the Hub, was the Heart of Texas Chapter of the American Red Cross (ARC).

The ARC, using a web-based system, through which potential volunteers could sign up, provided most of the staff present at the Hub. These volunteers did everything…from administering vaccinations, to entering data into the records system, guiding patients through the vaccination process, to directing traffic in the parking lot. The volunteers came from everywhere in the community…the Lions Club and the Rotary Club, nursing students from TAMU and Blinn for example. Bottom line…the Hub would not have worked without its volunteers.

The Brazos Valley Center for Independent Living (BVCIL), a local non-profit was an important piece of the operation as the Hub dealt with the older segment of our population. It provided volunteer staff and mobility equipment to aid those who required it in moving through the vaccination process. It also provided translation services for those who were non-English speaking.

Guard augmentation was not probable.

But the reputation of the Hub and its staff reached the decision makers in Austin, and the state approached us as to our willingness to serve as a training site for Guard members. These trained members would then disperse throughout the underserved areas of rural Texas to provide vaccination support. Like so many of our partnerships, the NG provided many viable skills and committed staff to assist with the vaccination effort.

The Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with TDEM (Texas Division of Emergency Management), is excited to participate in a program aimed to provide rapid COVID-19 testing to small businesses. In an effort to help support the continued operation of

THE HUB

The Brazos County Community COVID-19 Vaccination Hub achieves state-recognized success with help from key community partners and leaders throughout the Brazos Valley.

S

everal months ago, on a very cold day, I was walking the parking lot in the Brazos Center talking to the volunteers and thanking them for stepping up to help. One in particular, a National Guard soldier, made quite the impression upon me with his response to my expression of appreciation. He was bundled up such that I could only see his eyes…but his message was quite clear. He was thankful to have the opportunity to help. He saw it as the community helping the community, and he was happy to be there. That sentiment speaks to the efforts of everyone at the Hub. The idea for a community vaccination hub came about during a weekly conference call with local elected leaders, medical officials, and school officials on January 5th, 2021.

Vaccines had just begun to appear in the local area, and it was apparent there was not an all-encompassing plan to efficiently distribute those vaccines to the community. Although I had retired from the Brazos County Sheriff ’s Office only weeks before, and moved to Albuquerque, I volunteered to head up the effort.

The day after that initial call, a meeting

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was arranged with representatives from the county and cities, Texas A&M, the Health Science Center, TEEX, the Health District, our local hospital leadership, and, most importantly, our four local Emergency Management Coordinators (EMC). Although people seem to be inclined to give me credit for the establishment and operation of the Hub, it was the EMCs who did the work and who deserve the preponderance of the credit.

That first organizational meeting occurred on January 6th, and by January 21st a walkthrough of the Hub was conducted for the media…then on January 28th an initial allocation of three hundred doses of Moderna vaccines was administered. Barely three weeks from the ideation of a Hub, to vaccines being administered was a significant accomplishment.

Coincidental with these measures, the Texas Department of State Health Services designated St Joseph Hospital as one of the vaccination hub providers for the state.

This designation allowed for the Hub staff, and the staff assigned to the hospital, to fo-

cus their efforts on facilitating St Joseph’s outreach to the community. St Joseph staff were able to focus their attention on the supply of vaccine and the administration of the vaccine, while the Hub staff focused on the mechanics of administering Hub operations.

In addition to establishing a physical location for the Hub, which from early on was designated to be at the Brazos Center, and was chosen because of its central location and ease of access; staffing for the operation had to be identified, and a mechanism for tracking and scheduling appointments would have to be created.

Fortunately, several key partners were identified early on to help with these tasks.

The Health Science Center’s IT department was brought in to help with the scheduling effort, and through many hours of creative work, and an unstinting willingness to help with the Hub, created a state-of-the-art web-based registration/scheduling system.

Early on it became apparent that not everyone had access to the internet, nor did they have email addresses, and the system

Because of Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service’s (TEEX) extensive experience in dealing with disasters and preparing communities with emergency management training, it was tapped early on with a request to provide an ‘overhead’ team structure to the Hub. This team fell in on the established Incident Command team and provided staffing back up and a considerable depth of experience to enable the

The Plans Section of Hub operations was staffed by members of the Lone Star Incident Management Team. It was charged with tracking all resources dedicated to the Hub, and as a major part of its responsibilities created the daily Incident Action Plan.

The Brazos Valley Transit District (BVTD) was contacted early on in the planning process to determine if it could assist with providing transportation to those in need of it.

The response from BVTD was immediate and positive, its staff was on board to provide whatever assistance required. Another example of a local organization jumping at the opportunity to assist with the Hub’s mission.

The leadership team discussed the option of reaching out to Texas Military Forces (aka the National Guard or NG) to ascertain the availability of Guard members to assist with staffing at the Hub. We were advised that the likelihood of receiving

When we started this effort, the anticipated finish date was sometime in late Fall 2021, but the end date for the Hub is in view. We are planning to close out first dose operations in mid-May, with the final close out in June. By the time the Hub is done, the staff will have administered somewhere near 100,000 first and second doses and, most importantly, will have made a significant contribution towards moving the residents of Brazos County and surrounding areas out from under the effects a once in a lifetime pandemic.

The Brazos Valley is fortunate to have the numbers of people willing to step up and help others, for without them the Hub (or Hub Club as it is affectionately known…) would not have achieved the successes it did. For many of us, this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to make a difference.

W. JA M ES ST E WA R T CHIEF COVID-19 VACCINATION TASK FORCE

MAY - JUNE 2021

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Brazos County’s newest animal health company... has LAUNCHED on Amazon!

Help us celebrate with 20% off your purchase through June 30!

USE CODE “20CONNECTION” FOR 20% OFF

Visit VetUAU.com for more info Contact: VetriPets, LLC, College Station, TX | Email: sales@vetuau.com

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LOCAL BUSINESS

HOWDY NEIGHBOR 5.5%

NO RESPONSE

COMPARED TO THE PREVIOUS 12 MONTHS, HOW HAVE SALES CHANGED?

16.5%

STAYED THE SAME

46% INCREASE

32%

DECREASE

Your Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce hit the streets of our community on Thursday, March 25th for the 12th Annual Bryan/College Station Chamber Day sponsored by Brazos County.

We asked business owners key questions regarding local life and economy in the Brazos Valley.

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TAYLO R CL A RK COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR B/CS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

C

hamber Day is the B/CS Chamber of Commerce’s way of connecting directly with the businesses in our community. During Chamber Day visits, the Chamber and its volunteers take the opportunity to thank local businesses for supporting the economy of Brazos County and ask how their business is doing overall.

Chamber Day also gives businesses the opportunity to discuss any problems, issues or concerns they may have.

We understand that this past year has been an incredibly challenging time for BryanCollege Station businesses. As we navigated shutdowns, slowdowns, reduced capacity and other rules and recommendations that

seemed to change every day, your Chamber of Commerce has worked continuously to keep our local businesses informed and engaged. This Chamber Day was no exception.

This year, the B/CS Chamber of Commerce, with the help of over 120 volunteers, visited 726 businesses in our local community.

While meeting with business owners, managers and employees of local businesses in the Brazos Valley, we had the opportunity to ask some meaningful questions through our Chamber Day survey and learned a lot about where our business community thinks our local economy is now, where it’s headed, and so much more. Although 56% MAY - JUNE 2021

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LOCAL BUSINESS

your First choice in Gastroenterology care 6.7%

NO RESPONSE

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT OUR LOCAL ECONOMY TO DO?

9.5%

STAY THE SAME

3.4% DECREASE

80.4% INCREASE

Meet Our Physicians:

David Case, MD

Phyllis Chang, MD

Chris Derbes, MD

Charles Moore, MD

Long Henry Pham, MD

Joshua Sultz, MD

2206 East Villa Maria Road, Bryan, TX 77802 To schedule: call (979) 774-4211 or visit www.CentralTexasEndoscopy.com

of businesses reported that the impact of COVID-19 in 2020 decreased their overall sales, 72% of businesses said that their sales in 2021 have increased, which indicates a recovery from COVID-19 impacts. We were excited to receive positive feedback on the future of our local economy. 80.4% of the businesses we surveyed expect our local economy to increase in the coming year. And just as we hoped, 93% of businesses described the overall quality of life in the Brazos Valley as excellent/good.

As your Chamber, we have the opportunity to represent the local business community regarding issues that are important to the overall success of businesses in Bryan/ College Station. We asked businesses what they thought were some of the biggest issues facing their business in 2021. The top 3 responses were General Economy, 18

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Government Regulation, and Employment.

As the voice of local business, your Bryan/ College Station Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to ensuring the business interests of our community are heard.

The day’s events were celebrated that evening at a Business After Hours event sponsored by Allen Honda. Thank you to Allen Honda and to everyone that joined us! We are counting down the days until Chamber Day 2022!

MAY - JUNE 2021

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CHAMBER SPOTLIGHT

home,” said Tyan Magruder. Courtney and Jimmy Pitman also partnered up again this year to help with construction. “The fact that we get to give away the house to one lucky winner is such a fun take on the St. Jude Dream Home,” said Courtney. The home, located in Bryan’s Rudder Pointe neighborhood, is about 1,500 square feet and has three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Its estimated value is around $235,000. “It’s been really impressive to see our community rally around this project.

There have been challenges associated with the pandemic, but nobody stopped,” said John Magruder. This marks Magruder’s third year being involved with building a home to help St. Jude. Only 7,000 tickets are available, and the drawing for a winner will take place on June 3rd. Tickets can be purchased online at stjude.org/give/dreamhome/college-station.html or by calling (800) 219-8230.

The Floor is Yours...

First Financial Bank

The Chamber Spotlight shares company news with the community.

New leadership, major changes, anniversaries, employee achievements - celebrate milestones with a message!

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is proud to announce Cameron Comire’s recent promotion to Vice President. Cameron began his career at The Bank & Trust of Bryan/College Station as a credit analyst in 2015. He was promoted to a commercial lending position in 2017 and subsequently promoted to Assistant Vice President. In January of 2020, First Financial Bank acquired The Bank & Trust. Cameron also serves as one of our B/CS Chamber Ambassador captains.

Congratulations, Cameron!

Culpepper Realty Co. Kleberg County proudly opened the state of Texas’ first-ever COVID-19 vaccination clinic in February. Clinic officials credit area businesses and volunteers who donated their time and materials in order to open the clinic as quickly as possible.

At the clinic dedication, Judge Rudy Madrid made sure to personally thank Jack Culpepper, of Culpepper Realty Co. “I’d really like to thank Mr. Jack Culpepper, the owner of the property. When I asked him how much this was going to cost to rent,

Big Shots Golf

he asked how long I wanted the building to be in use here. I told him 12 months, and he said the rent would be zero dollars for 12 months,” said Madrid.

Mr. Culpepper also serves on the B/CS Chamber’s Board of Directors. For more information on the clinic or county vaccination times, call the county hotline at 361-595-8755.

Ranger Home Builders This is the first year that the Bryan-College Station area is hosting a St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway!

For the past three years, local builders have put together a home, sold it, then donated the money to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Now the same builders have stepped up again, and someone from the Brazos Valley can win the home with a $100 raffle ticket! Ranger Home Builders is spearheading the project but has already received donations from the community, including the lot the house will sit on. “Seeing the community come together to make the build happen is probably some of the most joyous parts of the build, but this year such a fun twist to see someone just actually get to win the

has begun construction on its location at Travis Bryan Midtown Park and is expected to open by the end of the year, offering a tech-driven entertainment and culinary experience for all ages and skill levels.

The two-story 40,000-square-foot venue will feature 60 game bays, a private event space, an outdoor patio. A nine-hole minigolf course, an activity center for kids, and a golf academy that can be used for yearround training. In addition, BigShots will offer unexpected menu items such as the PB & Jam burger, signature cocktails, and local craft beer. BigShots Golf teamed up with local Bryan-College Station residents Dr. Jim and Allyson Butler to help bring the entertainment venue to Travis Bryan Midtown Park. “We are thrilled to be working alongside the Butlers and the City of Bryan to bring the BigShots Golf brand to Aggieland, adding to our brand’s tremendous momentum in 2021,” said Randall Cousins, senior vice president of BigShots Golf and Texas A&M Class of 2006.

The Children’s Museum of the Brazos Valley is excited debut their new location at Lake Walk, Bryan-College Station’s emerging hub of technology and innovation. The new space is located at 4114 Lake Atlas Drive in Bryan, and is open as of April 10th. We are so excited for you to come and experience Lake Walk with us – a space of imagination and innovation for families in our community, and across the world. Thank you for the support you have given The Children’s Museum of the Brazos Valley. We look forward to seeing each of you in our new space at Lake Walk!

Texas A&M University Board of Regents has announced Dr. Kathy Banks as the next president of the university. Banks was confirmed as the new president of Texas A&M on March 31st. Banks is currently vice-chancellor of engineering and national laboratories for the Texas A&M University System and dean of the College of Engineering at Texas A&M. She earned her Ph.D. at Duke University. She studied and worked at three land-grant universities before coming to Texas A&M. Congratulations Dr. Banks!

C.C. Creations The Warehouse at C.C. Creations has been awarded the title for Largest Collegiate Merchandise Store in the world by Guinness World Record. The retailer held an unveiling ceremony of the title on April 9th, which included speeches from local and Texas A&M University officials. What qualifies the store as the “largest” in the world, is its square footage coming in at a measurement of 28,750 sq ft. For C.C. Creations Owner and CEO, Kenny Lawson, the title is a lot for him to take in. “I kind of have to absorb that a little to think that we are the biggest in the world, but it’s kind of how I’m wired,” said Lawson. “I always want to take it to another level and never be satisfied.” Lawson said he is not done expanding the store, he plans to take it to 30,000 sq ft.

The City of College Station has announced the launch of a new program designed to attract more tourists to local businesses and entertainment venues. It’s called the Heart of Aggieland Visitor’s Pass, and it features discounts and coupons at a number of local restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues. This program is available exclusively for events booked through the City of College Station Tourism Department. For businesses, the program is entirely voluntary and requires no fee to participate. To opt-in, determine the special or discount you’d like to offer, complete the form, and you will be added to the pass. For questions regarding the program, email Economic Development Coordinator Stacey Vasquez at svasquez@ cstx.gov.

Century Square and Visit College Station plan to host the inaugural “Dine Around” celebrating College Station restaurants.

Ticket proceeds will go towards the Brazos Valley Food Bank. The event will take place Saturday, May 15 from 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at Century Square in the Green and surrounding areas. Guests can expect craft coctails, gourmet food, live music, shopping, and more during the event. Fifteen bars and restaurants are participating in the event. Tickets to the event are $15 and can be purchased at view. ceros.com/midway/dine-around.

Chamber of Commerce Ag Committee On March 19th, the Chamber of Commerce Ag Committee and Title Sponsor Amarillo National Bank hosted the 23rd annual Crawfish Boil. The event raised over $13,000 which was used to purchase student projects at the Brazos County Youth Livestock Show. Projects purchased included two steers, two broilers, one barrow, seven rabbits, and other additional add-ons.

MAY - JUNE 2021

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DELUXE

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Let us help you! Call (979) 260-5200 or email taylorsmith@bcschamber.org to schedule your B/CS Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting today!

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