2023 Shop Local

Coldwell Banker Realty

Theresa Grunke

254-718-2870

2710 Clear Creek Rd Suite 115 Killeen, TX

www.coldwellbankerhomes.com/tx/killeen/ agent/theresa-grunke/aid_249204/ /people/Theresa-Grunke-Texas-LicensedRealtor/100057364993118/

Theresa.grunke@cbrealty.com

Is your house a little funky?

“It’s time to call Grunke!” says real estate agent Theresa Grunke, who opened her Beltonbased business in 2019.

Along with a memorable motto, Theresa has the real-world experience to meet the needs of her clients.

“I’ve been interested in real estate for many years,” she says. “I’m happiest when I’m helping people. Whether a person is a rsttime home buyer, moving to a larger home or downsizing, I want to help my clients nd a house they can call their perfect home.”

Theresa specializes in helping folks going through challenging times.

“I’m prepared to help homeowners who have been a ected by COVID-19 or job loss and nd themselves facing a foreclosure,” Theresa says. “I have a program to help seniors who need to transition to assisted living.”

Killeen o cials focus on downtown revitalization

BY PAUL BRYANT KILLEEN DAILY HERALD

From awarding grant funding for businesses to redeveloping the area, Killeen officials committed financial and other resources to improving downtown over the past year

One of the most significant, perhaps, was hiring Katlin Kizito as downtown revitalization director during the summer. With an annual salary of $75,032.19, she is the first to be named to that position after it was created at the urging of consultant Kevin Shepherd of Verdunity of Dallas

That company was hired by the City Council for $349,140 in 2020 to draft a new comprehensive plan for Killeen that includes guidelines for how downtown should be redeveloped.

VACANT BUILDINGS

About four months after Kizito was hired, council members unanimously approved changes to the ordinance that

governs the vacant structure registration program focused on fines assessed against non-compliant property owners

The Vacant Structure Registration ordinance was adopted by the City Council in August 2020.

“The intent of the ordinance is to reduce blight, preserve the historic character, and improve property values in Downtown Killeen,” according to a staff report. “The Vacant Building Registration ordinance requires the owners of vacant buildings within the Historic Overlay District (HOD) to abide by a standard-of-care practice, register their property with the city, and pay an annual registration fee.”

Property owners with unregistered vacant buildings in downtown Killeen could face fines of $2,000 a day based on changes to the ordinance.

Meanwhile, council members agreed to allow the formation of an 11-member downtown advisory committee to “study, recommend and review policies, programs, and concepts (used) in other com-

munities (that) are designed to increase the economic vitality of downtown.”

GRANT FUNDING

A little more than $411,000 in American Rescue Plan Act and Killeen Public Facility Corporation funding and business grants remain after city officials allocated nearly $2 million for those programs.

Using $150,000 in ARPA money, the city has committed that to nonprofit grant programs and $210,000 in PFC funds

For its business grant program, the city has spent $1,165,835 — bringing the total remainder of funding to $411,273 out of the $1,937,108 allocated

The amount distributed to Space

Create, Let’s Eat Texas, Twice as Funny, Braids and Brows by Chris, Aromas Cigar Lounge, Khaniesiology and Rincon de Panama is $965,812.

RAN CIER AVENUE

Council members approved a professional services agreement with a Houston company for the preliminary design

of the Rancier Avenue replacement project.

“The (fiscal year 2023) capital improvement plan includes the Rancier Avenue replacement and streetscaping improvements project as an unfunded project for design,” according to a staff report. “However, the project was intended to be funded using TIRZ funding. At the (Sept. 8) TIRZ board meeting, the TIRZ Board voted 5-0 to program up to $1 million TIRZ funding for the design of (Phase 1) of the Rancier Avenue project.”

TIRZ is the acronym for tax increment reinvestment zone. Municipal and county gover nments use tax increment financing “to pay for improvements that will draw private investment to an area,” according to the Texas comptroller’s website. It “redirects some of the (property tax) in a geographic area designated as a tax increment reinvestment zone (TIRZ) to pay for improvements in the zone.”

The cost of the schematic design for the Rancier project is $813,453.73.

Innovation Black Chamber of Commerce supports members

BY ERIN ESKEW KILLEEN DAILY HERALD

“We have been proud of the entrepreneurship community that we have,” said Ronnie Russell, president and CEO of the Innovation Black Chamber of Commerce

“We have seen exponential growth in the small business community, especially the amount of Black women business owners that have been opening.” Russell noted the national upward trend of Black women starting businesses, but said he is especially excited to see growth in that demographic in Killeen.

Additionally, Russell expressed gratitude for the support of local businesses and organizations.

“Three of our businesses have been awarded small-business

grants from the Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce totalling $300k,” Russell said.

With the sponsorship of Cadence Bank, Russell said the IBCC invested more than $2.5 million in local small businesses

“In addition to investing funds,

Cadence Bank has facilitated more than $750k in bank transfers and deposits,” Russell said. “They have helped us reach actionable objectives, not just checking the box, with a mixer — but following through and pouring into the community.”

Killeen’s Small Business

Grant implementation is on par with larger, well-known cities like Dallas, Austin, or Houston, Russell said.

“It’s a proud thing to see our council work together to want to do something for the small business community,” Russell said.

Looking ahead, the IBCC has launched an expansion chamber in Temple, while maintaining its headquarters in Killeen, he said.

“The small-business community is the backboard of the economy,” Russell said. “COVID hit and ice hit, and small businesses were out still helping feed people, even through difficult times.”

Russell said there remains a disparity between support for IBCC and other small-business organizations, but the recent push for financial organizations

to diversify their support portfolios is encouraging.

“People see the Juneteenth celebration as an event, but we also use it to crowdsource and raise capital,” Russell said. “Some businesses support us, and some don’t. I don’t worry about those who don’t support us — we celebrate our victories.”

The IBCC has received over 250 new memberships this year.

In addition, the chamber is sponsoring an ongoing homeless/feeding program. The chamber offers regular business education to business owners and future entrepreneurs and developed platforms for strategic marketing opportunities for small-business target markets.

This summer, the chamber provided $10,000 in Juneteenth Black Business relief grants that continue to help small businesses

HERALD | FILE

An attendee hits the dunk tank with a full blast from the fire hose under the direction of a KFD firefighter at a recent Juneteenth event put on by IBCC.

Businesses, houses go up across Central Texas

BY THADDEUS IMERMAN KILLEEN DAILY HERALD

Killeen, Harker Heights and Copperas Cove continue to grow as people move into the Central Texas area.

Each city’s permit data sheds light on just how much growth is happening.

In 2021, Killeen issued 567 permits for new residential construction, including single-family homes and duplexes. Of the total, 497 were for single-family homes, and 70 were for duplexes.

The city also issued 40 permits for new commercial construction, totaling $33,737,750 in construction value.

The permits ranged from eating establishments, to retail centers, to beverage establishments and a car wash.

Two notable permits issued in February 2022 by the city of Killeen were for Taco Casa, 3201 W. Stan Schlueter Loop, and Black Rifle Coffee Company, 2170 Clear Creek Road. Taco Casa opened in November 2022, while Black Rifle Coffee Company opened in August.

In March 2022, the city issued a permit for Tropical Smoothie Cafe, 1103 S. Fort Hood St. The smoothie shop opened in September 2022.

Another notable permit issued was for a complete reconstruction of Jack in the Box at 3201 E. Veterans Memorial Blvd.

The demolition of the existing location drew attention from many Herald readers. Construction has already begun on the new building in the same location.

Finally, in December, the

Sales tax provides millions in revenue

city issued a permit for Patriots Car Wash at 5500 E. Central Texas Expressway HARKER HEIGHTS Harker Heights issued six permits for new commercial construction and 76 permits for new residential construction in 2022.

Two of the commercial permits issued are for projects that are near one another They include the ClearSky Health Rehab Hospital at 760 W. Central Texas Expressway and Chuy’s Tex-Mex at 700 W Central Texas Expressway ClearSky will have capacity for 650 patients annually who are living with disabling injuries or illnesses such as strokes, brain injuries, hip fractures and spinal injuries It is expected to open in the spring of 2023. Ground broke on the facility in March 2022.

BY EMILY HILLEY-SIERZCHULA HERALD CORRESPONDENT

Property taxes might get most of the attention, as folks pile into the Bell County Appraisal District office every year to protest the value placed upon their homes.

However, sales taxes are just as important when it comes to filling local coffers.

In the budget for fiscal year 2023, which went into effect on Oct. 1, 2022, just over half of Bell County’s general fund revenues are projected to come from property taxes

Sales tax revenue provides more than 26% of general fund revenue, to the tune of more than $33.5 million. That’s an increase when compared to fiscal year 2021, when more than $27.6 million of revenue in the general fund came from sales taxes, according to a county budget presentation.

So, how do local municipalities

fit into the picture?

Most of Central Texas continued to exhibit solid economic growth and stability to start the year according to a news release from Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar, earlier this year Bell and Milam counties, as well as almost all of the municipalities in those counties and Coryell County, reported increases in January of 2023 compared to the same month in 2022. Several tallied double-digit percentage point increases

The county received $2.65 million in sales tax allocations in January, an increase of 7.95% from last year, according to the release

Killeen received about $2.68 million in sales tax revenue, a 3.02% increase

Harker Heights received $870,912, an 8.75% increase Nolanville received $146,136, an 11.94% increase

New businesses in Killeen/Heights indicate growth in retail market

BY THADDEUS IMERMAN KILLEEN DAILY HERALD

Several new businesses in Killeen and Harker Heights opened to fanfare in 2022 and the beginning of 2023, leading chamber of commerce officials to say the retail market is strong.

“Sales tax receipts are increasing and new retail outlets are opening in the city,” said Scott Connell, president and CEO of the Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce Connell took over for longtime Chamber president John Crutchfield on Sept. 1. In his five-plus months on the job, Connell said the retail growth in Killeen is visible

“In the short time I have been working in Killeen, we have seen new retail establishments opening in previously vacant spaces,” Connell said in an email to the Herald in February.

One such store, Murdoch’s, opened to the public Oct. 4 and celebrated with a grand opening in November.

Murdoch’s is a national Montana-based feed and tractor supply store. It sells everything from yard equipment like work gloves and string trimmers to hunting gear, ammunition and clothing on a 52,000-square-foot property.

Murdoch’s occupies the building constructed specifically about eight years ago for Gander Mtn. — another outdoor supply retailer. Since the original occupant’s departure, the building at 701 E. Central Texas Expressway had been the temporary location for stores such as Spirit Halloween and Overstock.

On Nov. 18, the store held its grandopening ceremony, showering early-arriving shoppers with gifts from the store

At the ceremony, Regional Manager Bridget Fox said Murdoch’s prides itself on partnering with communities. As such, the Killeen store partnered with and raised money for 4-H, The Boys and Girls Club of Killeen, and the Killeen Police Department.

Another new addition to the area business scene is Elder Mitsubhi, an auto dealership on East Central Texas Expressway in Killeen.

The dealership opened its doors last summer and recently added electronic signage distinctive to the brand.

Connell told the Herald there is another trend he has noticed since he started.

“Additionally, we are seeing several new

restaurants and retailers opening in the Clear Creek Drive corridor,” he said.

In the past year, several new establishments opened along Clear Creek, including QuikTrip, Black Rifle Coffee Company and HTeaO

Dozens of people attended the grand opening for HTeaO, the tea, snack and merchandise shop.

At HTeaO, customers can sample one of a large number of flavors before checking out. The tea chain charges by the cup, rather than the flavor, so customers can mix and match their drinks

According to Connell, sales tax receipts from the Texas Comptroller’s Office indicate that the retail market in Killeen is strong.

From March 2022 through February 2023, Killeen has received a total

of $34,021,235.89. From March 2021 through February 2022, Killeen received $32,298,788.93 in sales tax revenue from the state. These numbers represent an increase of 5.33%.

Several factors play a part in the increase, including inflation.

Connell explained how he feels inflation has impacted Killeen.

“Inflation has impacted all elements of daily life,” he said. “In some cases it is positive for higher wages. However, the cost of almost all goods and services have increased and that impacts the spending power of every household.

“We are fortunate to see the sales tax allocations increase with these pressures on the consumer. It goes to the general growth in the market.”

Looking ahead to 2023, Connell said he

expects more of the same from the city’s retail market.

“We anticipate another steady growth year for 2023,” he said. “There continues to be construction of new retail outlets throughout Killeen. Housing construction is strong, which is a positive driver of retail goods particularly home goods.

“Additionally, there is growth throughout the region. Killeen benefits as a regional retail center for our entire metropolitan region and adjacent counties.”

Harker Heights

In Harker Heights, Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Gina Pence, said the business climate is flourishing.

Three of the top five industries in the city, according to Pence, are health care, retail business and food service

As with Killeen, Harker Heights saw noteworthy new businesses in two such industries. Opening in 2022 were Dutch Bros Coffee and Black Bear Diner

The California-based Black Bear Diner opened in December 2022. According to the store’s manager, Anatolio Trinidad, the food is home-cooked, comfort and classic American food.

The Black Bear Diner is in the building that previously housed Richard Rawlings’ Garage on Central Texas Expressway

Dutch Bros had its grand opening on Nov. 30. The coffee, smoothie and iced drink provider, headquartered in Oregon, also has two locations in Killeen. Still in the works, two businesses look to open soon.

Making progress, ClearSky Rehabilitation Hospital of Harker Heights is going up between Seton Medical Center and Sam’s Club

The Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce o ces are seen recently in downtown Killeen.