Greater Waco Business - Fall 2018 by Greater Waco Chamber

FALL 2018

WACO’S TOURISM ECONOMY

AFTER THE END OF “FIXER UPPER”

THAT LITTLE SWEET SPOT

TRAVELERS NATIONWIDE CONTINUE TO FALL IN LOVE WITH WACO’S TOURISM INDUSTRY

MEET ME AT THE BACKYARD

HOW BRIAN BROWN AND FRIENDS CREATED A UNIQUE OASIS

A GREATER WACO CHAMBER PUBLICATION WACOCHAMBER.COM |1

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WACOCHAMBER.COM

FROM THE PRESIDENT

2018 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN

PAST CHAIR

Englander DzignPak, LLC

Extraco Banks

CHAIR-ELECT

PRESIDENT & CEO

Merrill Lynch Wealth Management

Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce

Hal Whitaker

Loren Schwartz

Mark Reynolds

Matthew T. Meadors

VICE CHAIR Rick Tullis

Capstone Mechanical

CHAMBER STAFF

Rachel Alston Jessica Attas Samantha Baker Linda Beasley Lexy Bishop Jennifer Branch Kris Collins Amber Greenwood Christie Harper Amanda Haygood

Keith Kusler Rachel Martinez Debbie McCutchen Matt Meadors Seth Morris Autumn Outlaw Jason Powers Felicia Taylor Ariel Tesch Michelle Williams

EDITOR

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Autumn Outlaw

Samantha Baker

This edition of Greater Waco Business Magazine explores Waco’s burgeoning tourism and hospitality industry. There is no question that Waco has been discovered, and in a big way. In a few short years, the number of visitors to Waco has exploded, growing from approximately 600,000 visitors per year to an astounding 2.6 million visitors annually. While these changes seem sudden, the groundwork for where we are today has been many years in the making. Pioneers with vision and a strong desire to see downtown Waco transform into an energetic urban core set wheels in motion, and the Magnolia phenomenon kicked-in the afterburners. Today, we are seeing the emergence of an entirely new downtown. Existing buildings are being renovated. New buildings are coming up out of the ground. Entrepreneurs see downtown as a location of choice and great opportunity. More and more people want to live in downtown Waco, and the city streets are alive with people shopping, dining, and seeking entertainment. Without question, Waco is becoming a very cool place and is well on its way to becoming Texas’ next great city, as described by economist Dr. Ray Perryman. Every single visitor to our community presents us with a unique and potentially powerful opportunity. They will return home and share their experiences with their friends and family — all potential future visitors. They may opt to make Waco home and join our workforce. Some can influence business investments, and may decide that Waco would be a perfect location for a planned business expansion. Others may be aspiring entrepreneurs looking for a great location to launch their new business enterprise. It is incumbent upon all of us to become Waco Ambasadors and ensure our visitors are treated with warmth and open arms. This is not difficult for Wacoans — it’s who we are.

ART DIRECTOR

As always, thank you for your support of your chamber of commerce.

For advertising, contact Autumn Outlaw (254) 757-5603 • aoutlaw@wacochamber.com

With appreciation,

Keith Kusler

ON THE COVER

Photo provided by Waco Tours

The Greater Waco Chamber understands the impact quality of life has on the community. This issue specifically highlights the booming tourism industry in Waco and the impact it has on our business community. Waco Tours has a significant role in showcasing everything Waco has to offer. See more on pg. 14.

Greater Waco Business is published and distributed to Chamber members and economic development prospects. Digital copies are available online at WacoChamber.com.

This publication is printed on FSC-certified paper. © 2018 Greater Waco Chamber 101 S. Third St. Waco TX 76701 • (254) 757-5600 The Greater Waco Chamber reserves the right to reject editorial or advertising content in the Greater Waco Business publication, and via the organization’s full range of communications | FALL 2018 platforms, at its sole discretion. 4

Matthew T. Meadors President & CEO

The Greater Waco Chamber Staff is proud to support the new Welcome to Waco Ambassador Program. #wacopineapple

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CONTENTS

FALL 2018 QUALITY OF LIFE & TOURISM

8 WACO’S TOURISM ECONOMY AFTER THE END OF “FIXER UPPER”

BY CARLA PENDERGRAFT, WACO CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

THAT LITTLE SWEET SPOT

WACO’S TOURISM ECONOMY AFTER THE END OF “FIXER UPPER” BY CARLA PENDERGRAFT, WACO CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

WACO’S BOOMING HOTEL MARKET BY CARLA PENDERGRAFT, WACO CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

THAT LITTLE SWEET SPOT BY MARY DRENNON

MEET ME AT THE BACKYARD BY SAMANTHA BAKER, GREATER WACO CHAMBER

WACO’S GAME CHANGERS BY AMANDA HAYGOOD, GREATER WACO CHAMBER

SMALL BIZ SPOTLIGHT

SUMMER SHINE, OWNER, LUNA JUICE BAR

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

BY MARY DRENNON

LEARN ABOUT RECENT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY WITH ON THE MARKET MARKET REPORT ECONOMY IN FOCUS

MEMBERS

MEET ME AT THE BACKYARD

BY SAMANTHA BAKER, GREATER WACO CHAMBER 6 | FALL 2018

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CHAMBER & MEMBER NEWS UPDATES FROM THE CHAMBER AND OUR MEMBERS BEST OF THE BEST - HONORING CHAMBER LEGACY JOHN SHEEHY, JR. NEW MEMBERS ARE POPPING UP ALL OVER THE GREATER WACO AREA! RIBBON CUTTINGS A SNAPSHOT OF MEMBER BUSINESSES

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by Carla Pendergraft, Waco Convention & Visitors Bureau

ith Chip and Joanna’s hit HGTV show “Fixer Upper” ending this spring, national headlines have predicted the Waco tourism boom is at an end. “What goes up, must come down,” they say.

Momentum in Waco’s Tourism Sector But the numbers tell a different story. For the first five months of 2018, Waco saw an incredible five percent growth rate of visitors, from 1,098,075 to 1,153,403. Remember, this increase is on top of several additional years of growth. In 2016, Waco saw about 700,000 visitors; now, Waco is consistently welcoming over two million visitors per year. Hotel revenues have also continued to show healthy increases. Hotel tax receipts through May are sitting at $2,669,182, as compared to $2,405,893 for the same period last year, an increase of 11 percent. New hotels coming online include the La Quinta del Sol, Hilton Garden Inn and the Springhill Suites, with others in the pipeline. Over 50 permitted vacation rentals are currently listed on our tourism website at WacoHeartofTexas.com, with more going through the permitting process. 8 | FALL 2018

We see momentum in the tourism sector in other ways too, as Waco’s entrepreneurial culture continues to blossom. At least six food trucks have either opened or are building brick-and-mortar locations. Local tour companies are spreading the word to visitors every day about how fun Waco is to visit, and their companies are adding jobs regularly as their popularity grows. New businesses, like e-sports/gaming establishments, restaurants, brewpubs, and cycle bars are opening. Shops catering to the farmhouse/shabby chic style have sprung up, and live music, once rare in Waco, can be heard in many establishments. Nearly all of these ventures are small businesses owned by local entrepreneurs who believe in the future of Waco. Most are thriving, especially those who have learned to encourage their customers to leave reviews on TripAdvisor, Google or Facebook, who listen to what their customers say about how to improve visitor experiences. Some business owners also teach their employees to be positive and helpful about Waco, to cross-refer business so that others can benefit, and to have a ready answer to the popular question, “What is there to see and do in Waco?”

Speaking to the Visitor When a visitor says, “Chip and Joanna sure put Waco on the map,” the visitor is actually saying, “Chip and Joanna put Waco on my map.” Their awareness of Waco as a destination for a visit was elevated by the show. Waco has been around since 1849, but many people outside of Texas were not aware of its charms until recently. As Wacoans, we have to translate to understand what the visitor actually means. The successful tourism business will encourage employees to speak to visitors, ask where he or she is from and how the visitor heard about Waco. Many visitors are “Fixer Upper” fans and will enjoy expressing that. Even if we’ve heard it many times, we should act as if we haven’t heard it before and channel employees at Disneyland, who must remember that the visitor they encounter today is on a trip of a lifetime, even though Disneyland is old news to them. We have to make the “Waco experience” new each day for each visitor, as we are all ambassadors for Waco. Speaking of ambassadors, the Waco Convention & Visitors Bureau is partnering with the City of Waco on a “Welcome to

Waco” tourism ambassadors program designed to encourage people to reach out to welcome visitors. Waco tourism ambassador t-shirts and other swag are now available at the Tourist Information Center, located next to the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame & Museum. To learn more about getting involved as an ambassador or to nominate an individual as an ambassador, visit WhatsWithThePineapple.com. How else can we reach out to visitors? Most Wacoans know when they see a visitor on the street — they’re wandering around downtown, looking a little lost, or peering at one of the map kiosks, trying to decide where to grab a bite to eat. When you see a visitor, just offering your assistance can make a big difference. Ask them if you can help them find something, strike up a conversation and ask them where they’re from. They will be grateful you asked. You may be one of the great memories of their trip to Waco. Our goal is for every visitor with whom we have contact to have a unique and wonderful experience they remember for the rest of their lifetime, an experience they rave about to their friends, an experience that makes them long to return for another visit, inspire their friends to visit, or maybe even to move here! We are Waco’s ambassadors, and Waco’s future after “Fixer Upper” is in our hands. n WACOCHAMBER.COM

by Carla Pendergraft, Waco Convention & Visitors Bureau

New Hotels in the Pipeline Waco hotels are really doing well! The latest reports from Source Strategies, Inc. indicate that at 77.4 percent, Waco ranks first in the state of Texas in hotel occupancy, with the state average at 68.6 percent. There were three hotels built in Waco in 2016, and a few have closed since then, bringing the number of hotel rooms in the market to 3,722. With a tight market, entrepreneurs have begun responding to the consistently high demand. Two new hotels are slated to open soon, including the Hilton Garden Inn, located near Baylor Scott & White Hospital, and the La Quinta Del Sol, located at Tenth Street and Cleveland Avenue. Several others are actively under construction and will likely open in 2019. These include the Springhill Suites, located at I-35 and University Parks Drive, and the Aloft, at Eleventh Street and Cleveland Avenue. A drive out by the Central Texas Marketplace shows three sites that have signs up announcing they will be built: A Tru, a Hyatt Place, and a Residence Inn. The Hyatt Place will be located at 5400 Bagby, across from Cottonwood Creek Golf Course, and the other two hotels will be near the Hampton Inn & Suites Waco South on Marketplace Drive. A recent article in the Waco Tribune-Herald mentioned that KB Hotels, owner of the successful Hotel Indigo in downtown Waco, purchased over nine acres in east Waco, across the river from the Waco Convention Center, where additional hotels will be built. Future plans for Waco hotels include the Brazos Promenade development along the riverfront at University Parks Drive and I-35.

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Getting Into the Short Term Rental Market Plenty of area homeowners have taken the plunge into the short-term rental market, where a person’s home is rented out to vacationers through sites such as Airbnb or Homeaway -- in fact, Airbnb.com lists 271 vacation homes with over 10,000 guest reviews in the greater Waco area. Waco’s vacation rentals are rated at an average of 4.9 out of 5 stars, and the average nightly price is $158 for an entire home, with some larger homes average closer to $500 per night. So, how does one get started in short-term rentals? It differs by city. The first step is to know in which city the home is actually located. It sounds simple, but just because the home has a Waco mailing address does not mean it is within Waco’s city limits. If there are any doubts, check the McLennan County Appraisal District’s online database at www.McLennanCAD.org (click on Property Search). If the home is within the city limits of Waco, there is an established process to follow to request a permit to operate. Why is a permit required? Because a short-term rental is a commercial business in an area that is likely zoned residential, and the process ensures there is not opposition from neighbors or others. There is also a life safety inspection, which includes a review by the Planning Department, Plan Commission, and in some cases Waco City Council. For more information, visit www.waco-texas.com/planning-short-termrentals.asp. For those outside of Waco city limits, check with that city for their procedures and requirements. Once the short-term rental begins operating, it is also required to collect hotel occupancy taxes. In the city of Waco, the hotel occupancy tax is 15 percent, which consists of six percent for the state of Texas, seven percent for the city of Waco and two percent for McLennan County.

The use of hotel occupancy tax is highly regulated, and the funds are used to promote tourism and the hotel industry. The hotel tax in Waco, for example, helps support print advertisements, billboards, digital and programmatic advertising, the WacoHeartofTexas.com tourist website, and much more. All advertisements are aimed at encouraging visitors to come to Waco and to stay in hotels, dine in area restaurants, and visit area attractions. In fact, everything the Waco Convention & Visitors Bureau does is aimed at promoting tourism and the hotel industry. Tourism in Waco supports jobs in our hotels, restaurants, attractions, tour companies, and shops — and at least 271 area homeowners earn some extra income from tourism. n

Hotels Under Construction

Hilton Garden Inn – 111 rooms La Quinta Del Sol – 115 rooms Springhill Suites – 125 rooms Aloft Hotel – 117 rooms Hyatt Place – 125 rooms Residence Inn – 104 rooms TRU by Hilton – 98 rooms Total of the above: 795 rooms WACOCHAMBER.COM

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by Mary Drennon, contributing writer

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fter the popular show Fixer Upper ended last April, people were holding their collective breath. Would Waco continue its remarkable growth? Talk to nearly any anyone who lives and works in the area and the answer you’ll hear is a resounding “Yes!” “Go and talk to some of the visitors,” said Carla Pendergraft, director of marketing for the city of Waco’s Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We’re now on their bucket list. All indications are that [the growth is] going to continue.” Pendergraft says Waco is currently the No. 2 trending destination on TripAdvisor — and the numbers from the area back it up. Statistics show that direct travel spending in 2017 was up 8 percent, direct earnings of those employed in the travel industry up 3.8 percent, and local tax receipts were up 15.9 percent. There have been some 5,700 jobs added to the economy, and approximately 800 hotel rooms are now under construction in Waco, Pendergraft said. What may have seemed like an overnight sensation, however, was years in the making, according to Melett Harrison, director of housing and economic development for the City of Waco. “We’ve worked for several years for this moment to arise,” Harrison said. “The momentum is still very strong.”

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While the city may have had to scramble to keep up with growth after the Magnolia Silos opened in 2015, the planning for such a moment started some 40 years ago with the development of a special incentive fund that has helped to pay for future development. The city was able to bury electric lines and repair roads in the Silo district. Austin Avenue was renovated with street modifications over a weekend to accommodate the new Waco trolley system that transports people in and around downtown Waco at no charge. “I think we were able to adapt really quickly with minor accommodations until we could work up something better,” Harrison said. It’s that attitude of helpfulness, combined with working in partnership with local businesses, that has laid the groundwork for sustained growth. Take The Findery, for example. A relatively new business that opened downtown two weeks after the Magnolia Silos opened, The Findery (thefindery. net) is family-owned and operated by three couples: Tiffany and Matt D. Fatheree, Matt P. and Melissa

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Fatheree and Marci and Kyle Davis. Offering one-of-a-kind gift items, furniture and home decor, including custom paint services, custom furniture and much more, The Findery has experienced incredible growth since its opening. “When we started, we had only one main floor open,” said General Manager Alison Sorley. Within six months, they opened another floor and then purchased the building behind the store, which was followed by the launch of an online shopping site. Since then, they’ve nearly doubled in staff size. “The city of Waco has been wonderful with the addition of the trolleys, the constant promotion of downtown Waco merchants and the additional sidewalks, making it easier for tourists to shop and get around,” Sorley said. Part of the formula for success is filling the needs created by rapid growth. The Findery, for example, certainly complements Magnolia well, as does another business new to the scene — Waco Tours, (www.waco-tours.com). Opened in June 2016, Waco Tours started with a single van to fill a need: Show people the hidden

gems of Waco. It was so successful that owners David and Rachel Ridley and Luke and Rachel Whyte now have over 60 guides and drivers and 10 full-time staff. The company added a second van in 2017, and a third and fourth van shortly thereafter to accommodate the demand. In early 2017, they were giving five to eight tours a week. By the end of 2017, they were giving seven to eight tours a day. They now have a total of seven vans. “There hasn’t been a lot of challenges working with the city. They’ve been very supportive,” said Luke Whyte. “We have felt very supported by the Greater Waco Chamber, as well as all the different entities involved, like the Convention and Visitors Bureau and the City of Waco. We are excited to continue to collaborate and help expand people’s footprint of Waco.” In addition to city support, Whyte said they work with local business entities to help showcase all that Waco has to offer. During a tour, each guest receives a touring book complete with dozens of coupons to local restaurants, shopping, events and more. With a food tour, an express tour and customized tours, visitors to the area can take in sights they might miss otherwise. It’s been influential in bringing people back again and again. “There are well over 15 or 20 families that have moved to Waco because they did they tour and saw an opportunity to either do business here or move their family here – a place to start their own business,” Whyte said. And it’s not just for tourists. Locals, too, are encouraged to take the tour; locals who have taken it say it’s changed their perspective of Waco.

Waco Tours is excited to launch their new River Cruise in the fall of 2018! The river tour experience will include approximately two hours of rest and relaxation on the Brazos River. Waco Tours will share about the story of Waco, including its rich history, and will show guests some of the gorgeous homes on the river. The tour will also take guests by some of Waco’s hidden gems, like the beautiful chalk bluffs along the banks of the river. Waco Tours is so excited to launch this product and are confident that it will be another five-star experience! WACOCHAMBER.COM

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One of the biggest companies changing perspectives is, of course, the Magnolia franchise itself. Magnolia (magnolia.com), founded by owners Chip and Joanna Gaines, got its start in 2003 when they opened the “Little Shop on Bosque.” The business was later shuttered so the couple could focus on family and their other business, Magnolia Realty. After the wild success of the HGTV show “Fixer Upper,” the franchise took off, with the Gaines first opening the Magnolia Market at the Silos, followed by Magnolia Seed & Supply, Silos Baking Co., Magnolia Table, Magnolia Design & Construction, the Magnolia Journal, their commercial kitchen and the warehouse, which features overstock and slightly damaged items at a discount. Magnolia now employs more than 750 team members. They, like other business entities, believe that the combination of city support and working with local businesses is part of the formula for success. “Jo and I are really proud of the work our friends and fellow business owners are doing to make Waco such a special place,” said Chip Gaines. “This has been our home for almost 25 years, and over the past 10 years or so, we’ve seen the downtown area really explode with boutiques, restaurants, and other shops. We’re just honored to be a part of what’s happening here in Waco.”

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Magnolia also took note of the city relationship, as well. “The fact that so many stakeholders from across the city – whether it’s members of the police department, the Waco Chamber, the Convention and Visitors Bureau, Parks and Recreation or City Center Waco, to name a few – are always willing to work side by side with our team to lend their thoughts and expertise is truly remarkable,” said John Marsicano, who works in public relations for Magnolia. “To have that level of tactical involvement from the city in everything from early planning stages all the way through execution of an event or initiative is invaluable, and it’s because of that support that we’re able to continually identify any and all opportunities to improve moving forward. We’re so grateful for that.” There is plenty room for more growth, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon, according to Pendergraft. “We’ve seen people return again and again. We have no reason to suspect that they won’t continue. I watch the numbers, I collect the numbers, and the numbers are saying that it’s continuing to thrive.” “Joanna’s brand has gone international,” added Pendergraft. “We’re not Fixer Upper — we’re Waco. Her brand far surpasses anything that has to do with Fixer Upper. There is so much to recommend in Waco. We’re in that little sweet spot, and those businesses that believe in us should come here and give it a try.” n

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introducing

Leadership Waco Class XXXV

Jordy Barksdale Magnolia

Joshua Blake

Wilkirson-HatchBailey Funeral Home

Jennifer Branch Greater Waco Chamber

Marissa Davenport

Christy DeLeon

Dwyer Group

TFNB - Your Bank for Life

Nicole Hogan

Michael Holcomb Katie Holcomb

Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Hillcrest

Justin Pond

Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Hillcrest

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Jenn Felton

Lucra Real Estate/ Felton Ranches

Extraco Banks

ESC Region 12

Ryan Rogers

Stephanie Schwab

Pattillo, Brown & Hill, LLP

Nick Brown

Jordan Gandy The UPS Store

Travis Louge

Texas First State Bank

Clay Springer

Naman, Howell, Smith & Lee PLLC

Alissa Carroll

Capstone Mechanical Community Bank & Trust

Rapoport Academy

Paige Corley Providence Foundation

Dustin Coufal Extraco Events Center

Grady Crowson Sr. Pattillo, Brown & Hill, LLP

Benjamin Gomez

Shannon Hankhouse

Baylor University

Jordan Hannah

Nicole Herring

Stephanie Maultsby

Austin Meek

Laura Page

Everett Phipps

Bobby Tatum Jr.

Barrett Thomas

New York Life Insurance Co.

McLennan Community College

City of Waco Fire Department

Tarleton State University

Waco Business News

Clayton Boyd State Farm

Providence Healthcare Network

Insurors of Texas

Blanchard & Thomas LLP

The Leadership Waco Program of the Greater Waco Chamber is sponsored by Pattillo, Brown & Hill, L.L.P. The program is designed to identify and develop emerging area leaders and encourage them to become involved in the community.

MAKING WACO THE PREFERRED DESTINATION FOR AMATUER SPORTING EVENTS

MISSION

GWSC identifies and attracts new sports events while enhancing and retaining existing events to generate positive economic impact and enhance quality of life.

Did You Know?

GREATER WACO HOSTS MORE HIGH SCHOOL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP AND PLAYOFF GAMES THAN ANY OTHER CITY IN TEXAS

The Extraco Events Center will soon undergo a more than $30 million overhaul of the fairgrounds and surrounding public facilities. Highlights of the project include: • 53,000 square feet of flat floor, column-free space • A dividable hall (split into 24,000 sq. ft. hall, 14,000 sq. ft. hall, and four 3,600 sq. ft. rooms • Additional meeting/Show Office space • Full kitchen + caterer’s kitchen • Concession Area • Vendor space in concourse • Outdoor patio with seating • Space for six full-sized basketball courts • Space for 12 volleyball courts • Retractable basketball goals • Retractable air walls • Additional portable equipment, including volleyball nets, basketball goals, sports court, bleachers and more

The Greater Waco Sports Commission is proud to offer out of town athletes hospitality through our Waco Sports Ambassadors program.

Extraco Events Center

V E N UES BSR Cable Park

McLane Stadium

Cottonwood Creek Golf Course

Dubl-R Fields at Riverbend Park

Waco Regional Tennis & Fitness Center

H.O.T. Soccer Fields

Waco Convention Center Ferrell Center Clyde Hart Track & Field Stadium

The City of Waco offers a wide variety of sporting event venues.

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS

The University Interscholastic League (UIL) provides services to its member schools in the organization and administration of region and state championships in 14 sports.

The Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) commits to building leadership, fellowship, fair play and sportsmanship of students enrolled in the organization’s member schools in the areas of academics, athletics and fine arts by providing wholesome competition for young men and women.

The UIL exists to provide educational extracurricular academic, athletic, and music contests. The initials UIL have come to represent quality educational competition administered by school people on an TAPPS envisions itself as an organization whose members maintain equitable basis. their distinct world views, practices and traditions while respecting

those of others, in order to promote wholesome competition for young men and women. TAPPS firmly believes that competition among its diverse member schools and students promotes among the competitors and their schools understanding, fellowship and excellence.

RECENT EVENTS

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• N J CA A TE N N I S N AT I O N A L C HA M P IO N S H I P

SE P TE M B E R 2 8 - 3 0, 2 0 1 8 :

Hosted 28 teams from across the country, only five of which are from Texas

• 7 V 7 STAT E C H A M P I O N S H I PS Relocated to McLane Stadium from AT&T Stadium for 2018 championships

Sold Out!

• Ironman 70.3 Waco sold out at 3,000 athletes - 98 percent of registered athletes are from outside of Waco - 47 states, 20 countries represented

RACE WILL BRING MORE THAN $5 MILLION OF REVENUE TO THE WACO AREA.

OC TOB E R 2 8 , 2 0 1 8 :

WACOSPORTS.ORG Greater Waco Sports Commission • 101 S. Third St., Waco, TX 76701 (254) 227-6041 • info@wacosports.org

OUR PARTNERS

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CITY OF WACO MUNICIPAL INFORMATION

2018 MEMB E R S OF THE B OA R D Tom Hill, Chairman Charlie Rigney, Vice-Chair Steve Smith, Treasurer Henry Carbajal, Secretary Rick Tullis, Past Chairman

Henry Carbajal, Secretary Jason Cook, Director Nancy Goodnight, Director Jim Haller, Director Kary Lalani, Director

Cynthia Lewis, Director Dillon Meek, Director Ben Perry, Director Maggie Stinnett, Director

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, YARD BARD K C A B E H FT AN -OWNER OK ABOUT HOW HE ACO. O C , N W AN BRYOARD SALOON TO TAUL NIQUE NICHE IN W I R B H T I W ACK NG A O WN WE SAT D D GRILL AND THE BUND SUCCESS FILLI STAGE AN ESS PARTNERS FO H I S B U SI N by Samantha Baker, Marketing and Communications Specialist, Greater Waco Chamber

hat comes to mind when you hear the word “backyard”? Family fun? Casual? Familiar?

That’s the kind of atmosphere that Brian Brown, Chris Cox, Russel Clay and Chris Braziel decided to create when they decided to open The Backyard Bar, Stage and Grill in 2015. Born in California, but raised in McGregor, owner Brian Brown has always loved music. He’s been active in the music scene for most of his life — locals may know him as the lead singer of The Sloppy Joe Band. He and co-owner Chris Braziel have been friends for years, and through playing music, he met Russ Clay and Chris Cox, owners of Red C Television. According to Brown, the four of them hit it off quickly, and soon decided to go into business together. “Russ said ‘Hey man, let’s do something!’” said Brown. “I said, ‘Like what?’ and Chris said, ‘I don’t know!’ And that’s how we went into business.” Their first business venture was Cinema Lounge, a bar that was meant to become a music venue. According to Brown, the timing and the location were both factors in the eventual closing of Cinema. “We gave Waco what they said they wanted, as opposed to what they REALLY wanted,” said Brown. Cinema Lounge was open for three years before they decided it was time to shut it down. But, as it goes, when one door shuts, another one opens -- they heard about an available property on South Eighth Street that just happened to be available for lease. There was a lot of conversation about 20 | FALL 2018

opening another bar after their first attempt hadn’t gone quite the way they’d hoped it would. “We were all thinking, ‘We’ve got a bar right now that we don’t want; why would we want to open another?’” said Brown. “I’ve always loved that property [now Backyard], it’s a neat little oasis in the middle of that area. Chip and Joanna were still running their store on Bosque; we had no idea about the Silos when we decided to pursue leasing the property.” The same week that Brown and his crew began leasing the space, Chip and Joanna Gaines announced on their show “Fixer Upper” that they had purchased the Silos and had plans to move and expand their business there. “My wife and I were at home that weekend watching ‘Fixer Upper,’ and Chip told Joanna that they’d gotten the silos,” said Brown. “‘Well, that could be good for us,’ we said. We opened a month before they had their big blowout opening.” The Backyard officially opened in 2015 the same week as the HOT Fair and Rodeo, hoping to avoid large crowds and give their staff a more “soft” opening — instead, the new bar and grill was slammed. When Magnolia opened just a few weeks later, the owners of The Backyard assumed that the tourists flocking to Magnolia would quickly flock to their bar. Looking back, Brown understands that when Magnolia first opened, Waco was still a “stop-off” destination, not the true tourist destination that it has since become.

After Magnolia had been open for several months and quickly became a true “destination,” more and more tourists began noticing and visiting The Backyard.

Due to their proximity to Magnolia, The Backyard soon began catching the eye of travel writers for magazines and websites, picking up recognition as a great place to stop by when you go to visit Magnolia. Since then, the popularity of The Backyard has only increased, not just with tourists, but with locals as well. The Backyard isn’t a totally unique idea — the Moontower Saloon in Austin is an outdoor live music venue with a full service bar and restaurant; the Texas Truck Yard in Dallas is a “come-as-youare beer garden and adult playground.” However, the concept behind The Backyard is incredibly unique to Waco. Where else in town can you have food

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and drinks, enjoy live music, AND bring your kids and dogs? “[The property] was in pretty rough shape when we got it,” said Brown. “It was just a little Mexican restaurant, completely closed in, no windows. We cut out the arches, put the roll up doors in, put the glass in, and built the stage. The firepits and the fountain were already there, and we saw those as the “bones” of the place. Next, we poured the dance floor and put in artificial turf, which totally changed the vibe of the place, it brought life and color to it. Then when we opened, kids started showing up, dogs started showing up, and it was totally by accident.” The Backyard encourages patrons to feel comfortable bringing their whole families with them to enjoy the atmosphere. “That first Sunday that I sat there as a dad and a grandpa, and watched kids playing with their dogs and run around, it was just a great feeling,” said Brown. The Backyard hosts many Texas country artists like Kevin Fowler, Randy Rogers, Aaron Watson and Wade Bowen. Why so much Texas country? “Texas artists are more local — they’re more affordable to bring in, and they have strong, dedicated fans,” said Brown. “We can sell out a Wade Bowen show (about 1,000 people) on a Wednesday night; there’s not the same kind of demand for rock artists.” While the Texas country artists continue to sell out shows at The Backyard, Brown intends to continue finding ways to incorporate new and different kinds of shows, including his favorite genre, rock ‘n roll. “The Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band was a big hit for us,” he said. “Our Eagles tribute show was a big hit too, we sold nearly 850 tickets and it was just local musicians covering Eagles songs.” Brown, Cox, Clay and Braziel have recently ventured out in hopes of filling another unique niche in Waco and opened The Backyard Saloon at the corner of Fifth Street and Austin Avenue, in the years-vacant Fifth Street Ice House. The saloon is an authentic old-time beer joint, from the Texas memorabilia to the sawdust-covered floors. “Chris [Cox] had been watching the property for a while, and he came to us and said he had an idea,” Brown said. “He said that a lot of people that come in are from Michigan, from New York, from all over the place, and they ask where they can find a good watering hole, beer joint, saloon-type place? You’ve got coffee spots, you’ve got wine bars, you’ve got all kinds of places, but there was nothing really in that vein. And so, this property came available, and we talked the landlord into letting us open another bar here.” The Backyard Saloon is open seven days a week, Sunday through Wednesday from 3 p.m. to midnight, and Thursday through Saturday, 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. Follow them on Facebook at Facebook.com/BackyardSaloon. Cold drinks, great food, live music, family-friendly atmosphere — The Backyard has it all. They’re open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. seven days week, featuring daily food and drink specials. Follow them on Facebook (Facebook.com/ BackyardWaco) to stay up to date with upcoming concerts and entertainment, and check out their full calendar and menu online at BackyardWaco.com. n

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by Amanda Haygood, Director Sports & Special Events, Greater Waco Chamber

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Waco is changing. Waco is developing. Waco is growing. Being in the spotlight with the increase of new businesses, housing and jobs and with the continual growth of tourism, it should come as no surprise that sporting events are on the rise deep in the heart of Texas. There is a lot going for us, Waco! Being centrally located along I-35 within a three-hour drive of 80 percent of the population of Texas, Waco is very attractive to many visitors. In addition, the downtown area, the Brazos River, Lake Waco, city parks and the beautiful terrain certainly draws both visitors and locals alike. Jason Elliott with the Waco Convention Center says, “Waco is now considered an in-demand destination, and we expect more sports events will be held here each year. Waco’s central location, great hotels and restaurants, and the fun things to do before and after competitions make us very attractive as a host city.” Elliott is one of the city liaisons responsible for hosting local and out-of-town organizations with special events. He and

PHOTO BY MARK RANDOLPH / CITY OF WACO

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other Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) staff strategically showcase all Waco has to offer to out-of-town groups and invite them here to enjoy our parks, facilities and the hotel/restaurant scene. CVB staff attend education conferences and event trade shows to attract targeted groups. Elliott says, “Our clients – they’re our best sales people. Waco wins business because we pride ourselves on providing great customer service by being consistent, reliable, and dependable. Meeting planners talk when they are at various events. Many groups hear about us through word-of-mouth and contact us for space and date availability.” The Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) hosted 28 events in Waco just this past academic year, including 19 state championships, eight regional and all-state selection meetings and one convention between August 2017 and May 2018. These 28 events alone brought over 45,000 people to Waco, accumulating 9,000 hotel room nights and $183,000+ in facility rentals – and that’s not even considering the number of restaurants and shopping centers that gained revenue! TAPPS is not the only organization that brings events to Waco – University Interscholastic League (UIL), the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association, National Collegiate Equestrian Association, Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting Association, and the Professional Disc Golf Association collectively bring over 12,000 guests staying more than 4,800 hotel room nights in Waco. The Southwest Little League Regional Championships are headquartered in Waco, with championship tournaments spanning a total of 12 days attracting 4,000 guests to Waco. Additionally, the City of Waco Parks and Recreation department hosts numerous concerts, like the popular Brazos Nights concert series, baseball and softball tournaments, 5K fun runs and the Southern Dragboat Association Drag Boat Races for both locals and visitors to enjoy. The Texas Food Truck Showdown, TriWaco and the Starburst Junior Golf Classic, hosted by the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce, are also big-ticket events held in Waco. These events are attended by both locals and out-of-towners, bringing a surge of commerce to the area. The Greater Waco Sports Commission has done an outstanding job attracting sporting events to the greater Waco area. The Sports Commission is an independent non-profit organization that was created to identify and attract new sports

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events while enhancing and retaining existing events to generate positive economic impact and enhance quality of life in McLennan County. The vision is that the greater Waco area will realize its incredible potential – due to its community spirit, location, climate, rivers and lake, beautiful parks and premiere facilities – as the preferred venue for sports in Texas. Will Phipps, executive director, has the led the impressive charge in securing the IRONMAN 70.3 Waco coming up in October 2018. This event is HUGE, slated to bring 2,800 athletes plus their families to the area for an entire weekend with representation from 47 states and 20 different countries. The event will have an estimated $4 million economic impact on the area. Bryan Bunselmeyer, executive director of TAPPS, says his experience in Waco has been a great one. When asked why he brings his tournaments and events to Waco, Bunselmeyer stated, “The accessibility from across the state is easy, hotels and lodging meet our needs and the food is plentiful and spread across all levels of price and service.” Bunselmeyer mentioned he would like to host their sand volleyball, preseason volleyball and basketball tournaments, as well as wrestling events to Waco. Currently, the community has limited facility space to host large capacity events like these. However, the new developments lined up for the Extraco Events Center grounds will bring a new state-of-the-art facility that would allow multiple volleyball or basketball games to be played simultaneously. The Waco community cannot wait to be able to offer new, bigger opportunities to attract more new groups to town. People are coming here, staying in hotels, eating at restaurants, shopping and visiting local attractions, and falling in love with Waco every day. Whether put on by local organizations or out-of-town groups, sport and special events have an incredible impact on the community and the economy, and Waco is truly reaping the benefits of such a robust events schedule. For more information about events happening in Waco, visit WacoHeartofTexas.com/Events. n

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Brazos Nights For more than 30 years, the City of Waco’s Brazos Nights concert series has brought good times and great music to the riverfront in downtown Waco. With outstanding musicians, food trucks and family fun, the award-winning concerts are a true Waco tradition. The Brazos Nights concerts are free to the public and take place at Indian Spring Park, next to the historic Suspension Bridge. The concerts feature a wide range of both regional and national artists, performing an eclectic mix of musical styles. Fourth on the Brazos Presented by the City of Waco and H-E-B, Fourth on the Brazos is a grand Waco tradition that brings more than 15,000 people together to celebrate America. The free festival is held annually on the Fourth of July at Touchdown Alley, next to McLane Stadium. The event features live music, some of Waco’s top food trucks and numerous interactive booths and kids activities. And of course, the evening is capped with the dazzling H-E-B Fireworks Extravaganza, which sparkles the sky above the Brazos River. Pints in the Park The annual Pints in the Park is a riverfront festival that provides a true taste of Texas. Pairing some of the Lone Star State’s top barbecue pit masters with great Texas breweries, Pints in the Park is a feast of smoked meats and craft beverages. The event takes place along the riverfront at the scenic Brazos Park East. Along with all-you-can-eat food samples and cold drinks, Pints in the Park is an afternoon picnic perfect for all ages that also features great Texas music and backyard games throughout the park. Starburst Junior Golf Classic For 20 years, Waco has been home to the Starburst Junior Golf Classic, a premier junior golf tournament held annually by the Greater Waco Chamber. Each year, players ages 7-18 from across the country converge in the Heart of Texas for a competitive tournament taking place on multiple golf courses around the Greater Waco area with the “home” course located at Cottonwood Creek Golf Course. It is a family-oriented, three-day competitive tournament designed for both novice and expert junior golfers. The Starburst Junior Golf Classic is a part of the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) and a Performance Based Entry Process. As a result of the partnership, our top finishers in the 11 through 17 age divisions and Championship divisions will receive AJGA performance stars. The tournament is run by knowledgeable and experienced staff and long-time volunteers who work hard to create a fun, competitive atmosphere. We’re proud of our players, many of whom have continued with professional golf careers, such as Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed. Find more at StarburstGolf.com, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Texas Food Truck Showdown In 2015, the Greater Waco Chamber brought to Texas the very first state-wide Texas Food Truck Showdown. The Chamber created an experience that would soon become one of Waco’s signature events. Over 35 food trucks from around the state compete each year for The Texas Food Truck Champion title, while serving 25,000+ people. The Texas Food Truck Showdown is a family-friendly event with arts and crafts for kids, live music, and food for everyone! The Texas Food Truck Showdown will be returning to downtown Waco on Saturday, March 30, 2019. Find more information at TexasFoodTruckShowdown.com, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. TriWaco The tenth annual TriWaco Triathlon, a Greater Waco Chamber event, was held in July 2018 with nearly 1,000 participants. The race started with a 1500-meter open water swim in the Brazos River followed by a mostly flat and fast 40K bike ride along the river, Baylor campus and downtown Waco. The race finished out with a hilly 10K run along the Brazos River that leads to the oldest suspension bridge in Texas. The Sprint distance event included a 400-meter swim in the Brazos River, a 20K bike ride along the same roads and a 3.5-mile run on the suspension bridge. Save the date for the next year’s race on Sunday, July 14, 2019. Find more at TriWaco.org and follow us on Facebook. Waco Wonderland Waco Wonderland is a true community event for all ages that brings more than 20,000 people to downtown Waco to celebrate the holiday season. Wonderland begins with a kick-off weekend at the start of December and features a wide range of activities including a Snow Hill for tubing and a towering Ferris Wheel that overlooks downtown Waco. The event also features the annual tree lighting and fireworks show to go along with Holiday entertainment, the Mistletoe Market and free pictures with Santa! The festivities continue through the month with a variety of downtown events and promotions with local merchants. 28 | FALL 2018

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SMALL BIZ SPOTLIGHT

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PHOTOS BY SAMANTHA BAKER

mall businesses are the engine of our economy in the Greater Waco community — more than 70 percent of our membership is considered “small business.” We love introducing small businesses and their owners in our “Small Business Spotlight.” This allows us to showcase some of our local small business owners and hear from them what it’s like owning a small business in Waco and how the Chamber has helped their business. In this quarter’s Small Business Spotlight, we’re highlighting Summer Shine, owner of Luna Juice Bar on Austin Avenue and the Luna Juice Bar truck located at Magnolia Market at the Silos. Luna Juice Bar, opened in 2014, was founded on the belief that all people were made to live fully in the dream of who they were made to be. Summer Shine and her staff have set their eyes on reaching out to the community in such a way that it is reflected in who they hire, how they give and the organizations they partner with, including local ministry Jesus Said Love and Perpetual Help Home in Victoria, Texas. When you purchase from Luna Juice Bar, you are doing more than just drinking healthy juice – you’re supporting local farmers and giving people a second chance. 1. Why did you start your business, and why it is close to your heart? I started Luna Juice Bar because I love living life to the fullest. I can’t change the amount of time I have on this planet, but I can change the quality of the time I do have left. The better I eat, the better I feel. Luna is so dear to me because it has given me an outlet to inspire change in women in this community who are in recovery from addiction. We hire people with pasts and that keeps me swimming every day!

2. What led you to start your own business here in Waco? I love Waco! I moved here 10 years ago from Austin and wasn’t quite sure how I felt about it, but over time I have absolutely fallen in love with this place! 3. You recently joined the Greater Waco Chamber — why did you decide to join? Actually, I talked to a former employee of the Chamber about things I could do to increase the visibility of Luna Juice in the community, and he suggested I join. 4 . How has your Chamber membership benefited your business so far? I have met tons of new business contacts through the Chamber. I’ve utilized some great services and seen lots of familiar faces from the Chamber in the new storefront. 5 . What do you love about owning a business in Waco? Waco has such a sweet community. This is a small town with big city amenities. 6. Do you have any great advice for new small business owners? Yes! Invest in a good accountant! No, really, invest in your employees. Being a great business owner starts inside the business, rather than outside of it. A loyal employee is better than a billboard. 7. On the weekends or in your free time, what are some of your favorite things to do in Waco? Cameron Park is one of my very favorite places to hang out. I feel God there. I also love supporting other local businesses, especially woman-owned and -run businesses. The Farmer’s Market is a Saturday morning must and Dayspring Baptist Church on Sunday! n WACOCHAMBER.COM

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This quarterly luncheon event at the Greater Waco Chamber is designed specifically for local business professionals and provides an update on â&#x20AC;&#x153;our economy in one hourâ&#x20AC;?. Recent economic development news and data is also presented that attendees can use in their business. Visit web.WacoChamber.com/events to view details of the next Hour Economy luncheon.

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ON THE MARKET

1201 Austin Ave. Waco, Texas 76701 Historic Commercial Space in Downtown Waco

Specifications: • Unique facility by renowed architect Robert Derrah • 48,000 square feet on 1.3 acres • Two floors, plus warehouse addition • Four grade doors, with internal ramp to floor 2 • Clear heights from 12’ to 26.5’ • 150x150’ paved parking and truck court • Walk-in safe, skylights

For more information contact Dwight Kryzwonski at (254) 756-3669. PA I D A D V E R T I S E M E N T

1201 Austin Ave. (10 Mi Radius) Value Population (Total; 2018)

202,433

# of Households

77,284

Median Age

31.7 years

Average Household Income

$64,931

Labor Force

97,409

Employed

93,591

Unemployment Rate

3.81%

Educational Attainment

Graduate Degree

8.15%

10,017

Bachelor Degree

22.36%

27,484

Associate Degree

31.50%

38,721

Some College (No Degree)

54.07%

66,457

High School/Equivalency Degree

81.67%

100,377

No Degree

18.32%

22,514

Top Consumer Expenditures

$/House Total (in $000’s)

Shelter

10,538 814,461

Transportation

9,739 752,687

Food and Beverage

7,599

587,308

Health Care

4,180

323,048

Entertainment

2,851 220,344

Source: Info USA, August 2018

For more information on available properties, including demographic reports and surrounding businesses in Greater Waco, visit WacoProspector.com or call (254) 757-5627

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THE CHALLENGE & REQUEST Shared Funding Model

$1.5M

BUSINESS SHARE

$1.4M

PUBLIC & NONPROFIT SHARE

BUSINESS SECTOR

Additional $1.5 M (a $300K/year deficit) will carry to 5yr payback horizon

FOUNDATIONS $400K

Foundations: Strategic board development

GREATER WACO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE $100K

Chamber provides seed cash to get started

BAYLOR UNIVERSITY $175K

Baylorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contribution lowers overhead for personnel

WACOMCLENNAN COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION $750K

Provides renovation costs for physical hub

Visit startupwaco.com for more information or contact Mark Reynolds at mreynolds@extracobanks.com

GETTING TO KNOW START UP WACO THE VISION AND STRATEGY BEHIND START UP WACO • The Start Up Waco initiative represents the combined efforts and insights gained over the past 18 months of engagement by key leaders from Government, Business, Education, and Philanthropic Institutions in Waco and McLennan County. • The proposed plans of action embody these insights and call for mutual investments that will leverage each other, spread risks, and most importantly ensure success. • That success means making Waco a vibrant entrepreneurial city that attracts and retains talent, building our economic base of firms that create high value jobs in an inclusive manner.

MCLENNAN COUNTY NEEDS START UP WACO TO SECURE FUTURE ECONOMIC PROSPERITY •

The plans for Start Up Waco were inspired by trips to many thriving centers across the country, including Nashville (TN), Columbus (OH) and Greenville (SC). Start Up Waco is based on best practices learned from these visits and by attending three annual InBIA conferences in Orlando, Seattle, and Dallas.

•

Efforts of this kind have proven to be the key to driving an entrepreneurial, innovation-based economy and retaining the talents attracted to and graduating from local universities. The paybacks can be dramatic, but typically take five years for maintained efforts to reach a sustainable uplift.

WACO HAS NEVER SEEN A COLLABORATION QUITE LIKE THIS • Start Up Waco is grounded on these four pillars: Government, Business, Education, and Philanthropy. • This collaboration is a public/private partnership. The Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce provided seed capital for the initiative.

Visit startupwaco.com for more information or contact Mark Reynolds at mreynolds@extracobanks.com

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MARKET REPORT

New Downtown Businesses Opened!

Greater Downtown Waco is booming! With more than $600 million invested in recent years and more than 2.5 million visitors, annually, Waco has become a destination city. Through implementation of a strategic vision, Waco is attracting great companies, talented people and continued interest to our distinct community.

Restaurants/Eateries Waco Cha Downtown Farmers Market facebook.com/WacoCha1/ Specialty: Bubble tea and Chinese/Taiwanese street food

Tiffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Treats Cookie Delivery Bear Grounds Shopping Center facebook.com/tiffstreats Specialty: Made from scratch, freshly-baked cookies and brownies available for delivery or pick-up

The Hightop Roof Top Bar at the Hippodrome 724 Austin Ave. facebook.com/pg/The-Hightop-at-theHippodrome Specialty: Rooftop bar in the heart of Downtown Waco! Enjoy delicious shareable plates and drink specials.

The Hippodrome Theater and Raleigh Diner 724 Austin Ave. facebook.com/pg/wacohippodrome Specialty: Enjoy access to a full menu and bar from the comfort of your seat in one of 5 theatres. The Raleigh Diner at the corner of Austin and 7th Street has a new expanded menu as well as a full bar!

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Downtown Living/Shopping Train Waco 713 Elm Ave. facebook.com/TrainWaco Specialty: CrossFit is a core strength and conditioning program consisting of functional movements that are constantly varied at high intensity.

Bolt 254 300 S. 2nd St. facebook.com/Bolt254 Specialty: Rad men’s, women’s & children’s clothing. Home goods, party, cards, jewelry, & accessories.

Rush Cycle 300 South 2nd St. facebook.com/RushCycleWaco Specialty: 45-minute full body workout that combines the effective cardio burn of indoor cycling with exercises that target your core and arms.

Rare Performance Memorabilia 700 Franklin Ave. facebook.com/rpm33gallery/ Specialty: Gallery housing an amazing collection of music and movie treasures for all to see and buy.

Linen & Cake 710 Austin Ave. facebook.com/linenandcake Specialty: Home Interiors

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ECONOMY IN FOCUS

JUNE

2017 Retail Spending Automobile Spending Hotel Motel Tax Receipts

JUNE

2018 2.9% change

$296,654,758

$315,884,477

$14,330,950

$15,948,574

1,377

1,404

6.5% change

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JUNE

2018

Payroll Employment 120,785 121,517 Unemployment Rate 4.0 3.7

15.8% change 5.0% change

Economic Outlook U.S. Average Composite: 100 WACO COST OF LIVING

Source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER)

2017

$1,743,612,278 $1,793,446,742

Existing Home Sales

Second Quarter 2018

JUNE

Waco Composite: 91.6

PURCHASING POWER

COMPARISON CITIES

Housing:

84.6

Chattanooga, TN:

97.3

Groceries:

79.2

Albuquerque, NM:

96.4

Utilities:

102.3

Greenville, SC:

95.7

Transportation:

97.9

Richmond, VA:

94.6

Health Care:

96.1

Colorado Springs, CO:

98.4

Misc. Goods & Services:

96.9

Charlotte, NC :

95.9

THE GREATER WACO CHAMBER LEADS A VARIETY OF LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMS FOR THE CENTRAL TEXAS REGION ON LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL LEVELS THAT HELP THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY GET ENGAGED IN PUBLIC POLICY INITIATIVES.

STATE OF THE

CITY AND COUNTY

TUESDAY OCTOBER 3O

STATE OF THE STATE WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 28

STATE OF THE NATION MONDAY DECEMBER 3

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CHAMBER NEWS

NEW EMPLOYEES AT THE CHAMBER

Lexy Bishop joined the Greater Waco Chamber team in August 2018 as the Research and Project Manager. Prior to this position, Lexy served as the Chamber’s Economic Development Intern. Baylor University brought Lexy to Waco in 2013. She graduated from the university in May 2017 with a Bachelor BISHOP POWERS of Business Administration in Economics and Mathematics. It was during her time as an undergrad that Lexy fell in love with Waco and decided to continue her investment in the community after graduation. She is excited for the work she will be doing with the Economic Development team to see Waco grow and flourish. n Jason Powers joined the Greater Waco Chamber staff in August 2018 as the Director of Finance and Operations. He spent the last 14 years working at Dynamic Designs as the Financial and Operations Manager. Prior to that he served in the United States Marine Corps. Jason graduated from Tarleton State University in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He is a local who graduated from Bosqueville High School in 1999. He now lives in Bosqueville with his wife, Amy, and their two children, son, Jayce and daughter, Leah. n

DEBBIE SHERMAN RETIRES

After 12 years of dedicated service, Debbie Sherman retired from the Waco Chamber in August. She spent the past three years as the Director of Finance & Operations, and the previous nine years as the Finance & Operations Assistant. She and her husband Eddie retired within weeks of each other and plan to take advantage of their newly found free time by traveling, becoming even bigger Baylor sports fans and spending more time with their grandson. Debbie has kept the Chamber staff and building in tip-top shape. Debbie enjoys volunteering for Chamber events and still wants to be involved, so you may still see her at upcoming Chamber events. Thank you for your years of services, Debbie! We hope retirement treats you well – you’ll be missed! n

CHAMBER RECEIVES COMMUNICATION AWARD

The Waco Chamber Marketing Team was awarded a Certificate of Merit in this year’s Communications Awards by the Southern Economic Development Council for the “Economic Development Update E-Newsletter.” You can request to receive this newsletter by emailing dmccutchen@wacochamber.com.

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BEST OF THE BEST by Rebecca Sheehy, Sports and Special Events Summer Intern

always knew my grandfather, John Sheehy, Jr., was a very hard working, loyal, and well-respected person. Throughout my summer internship here at the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce, I have been given the opportunity to dig deeper and learn more about the work and time he spent to help grow our community. His involvement was expansive over many decades, and it ultimately helped shape Waco into the thriving and booming town it is today. Although “Poppa,” (as his grandchildren called him) passed away in April, his hard work, dedication and service will continue to be shown throughout the Greater Waco area for countless years to come. “Poppa” was born in Waco in 1923 and attended Waco public schools. He was a scholarly student and a talented athlete. His father, John Sheehy, Sr., an exceptional lawyer, was elected as Mayor of Waco in 1934. He also served as President of the Chamber in the 1940s, and was a founding member of the Waco Industrial Foundation. My great-grandfather’s leadership and commitment to improve the Waco community influenced many individuals. Perhaps most importantly, his influence on my grandfather helped guide him into becoming an involved and impactful civic leader that many knew him to be. It didn’t take long for John Jr. to follow in his dad’s footsteps. After serving his

country in World War II and the Korean War, his professional life began to fall into place. Upon graduation from the University of Texas Law School in 1948, John quickly returned back to Waco to begin working with his father. Most impressively, he was an active attorney for 70 years, and served as a mentor to countless other attorneys and business professionals around town. “He could tell you everything about real estate in Waco,” his good friend Terry Stevens recalls.

Throughout his many years of community involvement, he was a founding member of several well-known organizations and businesses that are still thriving today. This list includes Sheehy, Lovelace and Mayfield, P.C., First Title Company of Waco, and The Providence Foundation. He also played a pivotal role in dedicating his time to The Waco Industrial Foundation, The Greater

Waco Chamber of Commerce, St. Louis Catholic Church & School, Reicher High School, and the Texas High School Sports Hall of Fame. His devotion to help others, and to better our community, was evident for decades. The Waco Industrial Foundation (WIF) was an important part of his life, and he felt very passionate and proud to be a part of it. He served the Foundation as the legal counsel for almost 60 years, donating great amounts of time and effort. During his span of serving the WIF, over 15,000 jobs, 100 corporate entities and 15 million square feet of office, manufacturing and distribution facilities were built on Foundation-developed land. A boardroom located inside the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce building, “The Sheehy Room” was named in honor of his generosity towards the Foundation. To close on a personal note, Poppa was a perfect grandfather to our family. My dad, Trip, recalls about his dad, “He was the best of the best.” I couldn’t agree more. I am beyond proud of all that my grandfather did and accomplished throughout his entire life. Poppa’s devotion to Waco is one that will never be forgotten. I’m honored and thankful for my time spent here at the Chamber this summer, and as an added bonus, I was able to learn more about the lasting legacy of John Sheehy, Jr. n

For information about becoming a member of the Greater Waco Chamber contact Christie Harper at (254) 757-5617 or charper@wacochamber.com WACOCHAMBER.COM

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LEADERSHIP WACO PROJECT AND RIBBON CUTTING The Leadership Waco Class XXXIV recently completed a group community service project for Mission Waco, giving two rooms at the youth center a floor-to-ceiling makeover. The madeover rooms were revealed at a ribbon cutting ceremony on August 20 at 1305 N. 15th St. Each year, the Leadership Waco class chooses a community service project to work on throughout the course of the program, typically completing the project near the end of the program. For more information about Leadership Waco, please visit: http://wacochamber.com/community/ education-leadership/leadership-waco. Brazos Valley Carpet One Floor and Home donated the flooring for the Mission Waco Youth Rooms and Sherwin Williams donated all the paint. Sponsors of the Leadership Waco Class XXXIV include: Pattillo, Brown & Hill, LLP, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Hillcrest, Baylor University and Providence Healthcare Network. n

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MEMBER NEWS

MIDWAY ISD LEADER SELECTED AS REGION 12 SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR

Midway ISD Superintendent Dr. George Kazanas has been named the 2018 Region 12 Superintendent of the Year and regional nominee for the Texas Superintendent of the Year. Kazanas has served as superintendent of Midway ISD since 2012 and as an educator for 27 years. The native Central Texan also received this highly esteemed recognition in 2004, while serving as superintendent in China Spring ISD. Kazanas and his wife Kim reside in Woodway and have two grown sons, both Midway graduates. KAZANAS Kazanas will serve as the Region 12 nominee for the 2018 Texas Superintendent of the Year award presented by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB). The state winner will be announced in September at the TASA/TASB Convention. n

BSW - HILLCREST AMONG NATION’S TOP PERFORMERS FOR TREATMENT OF HEART ATTACK PATIENTS

Baylor Scott and White Hillcrest has received the American College of Cardiology’s NCDR ACTION Registry Silver Performance Achievement Award for 2018 and is one of only 95 hospitals nationwide to receive the honor. The award recognizes commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of care for heart attack patients and signifies that Baylor Scott & White - Hillcrest has reached an aggressive goal of treating these patients to standard levels of care as outlined by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association clinical guidelines and recommendations. n

SWEETNESS DESSERTS CELEBRATES ANNIVERSARIES

In November, Sweetness Desserts will celebrate five years in its retail location at 2034 N. Valley Mills Dr. and 10 years in business. As a master cake decorator, owner Laura Summersett began making cakes as a hobby in 2001. By 2008, it had grown to a full-time business called Custom Cakes by Laura. In 2013, Summersett opened her bakery on North Valley Mills Drive, changing the business name to Sweetness Desserts. n 44 | FALL 2018

TWO JRBT CPAs RECEIVE STATEWIDE RECOGNITION

Two accountants with local firm JRBT Certified Public Accountants have received statewide honors from The Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants. Angela Ragan, a Baylor University graduate who joined JRBT in 2005, has been named Young CPA of the Year, sharing the award with William J. Kelley Jr., who is affiliated with the accounting firm of CGMA Permian Basin. RAGAN BROWN Michael Brown, also is employed at JRBT, received the “Chairman’s Special Recognition Award” for his role as chairman of the TSCPA’s Strategic Planning Committee. Brown is a shareholder in the Business Valuation/Litigation Support and Tax Departments at the Waco firm. Besides being a CPA, he has expertise in business valuation and financial forensics. Both Ragan ansd Brown are alumni of the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce Leadership Waco program. n

DR PEPPER MUSEUM & FREE ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE BOARD ANNOUNCES INCOMING PRESIDENT AND CEO

Chairman of the Board, Jim Alexander, and the Executive Committee announced the search for the incoming President and CEO of the Dr Pepper Museum & Free Enterprise Institute is complete and are pleased to welcome Chris Dyer to the Dr Pepper Museum family. Dyer earned his Bachelor of Arts in Museum Studies from Baylor University MCKINNEY in 1998, where he was a founding member of the Baylor Museum Studies Student Association, and his Master of Arts in Museum Science from Texas Tech University in 2002. The Board and Staff of the Dr Pepper Museum want to sincerely thank outgoing President and CEO Jack McKinney for his 18 years of service to the Museum and the Waco community. The Dr Pepper DYER Museum & Free Enterprise Institute selected Mr. McKinney to serve as its second Executive Director in August 2000. n

BICYCLE WORLD TEXAS ANNOUNCED AS TITLE SPONSOR OF IRONMAN 70.3 WACO

Bicycle World Texas recently announced its title sponsorship of the inaugural Ironman 70.3 Waco triathlon, to be held Sunday, October 28, 2018. Bicycle World Texas has been serving triathlete needs since 2004 while supporting half a dozen triathlons every year. Waco Running Company, the sister company of Bicycle World Texas, will provide additional triathlete support and products inside of the IRONMAN Village expo. Bicycle World Texas and Waco Running Company are managed by The Behringer Group, LLC, a Waco-based business development firm owned by Todd Behringer. n

MCH RECEIVES NATIONAL REACCREDITATION FROM COA

Methodist Children’s Home President/CEO Tim Brown was notified by the Council on Accreditation (COA) that the Waco-based childcare agency has earned national reaccreditation. The comprehensive accreditation process evaluated in detail all areas of operations, including governance, ethics, policies and procedures, financial practices, fundraising, childcare programs and services, risk management, human resources, and many other areas. Information was gathered from direct observation, surveys, policies, practices, licensing compliance, and face-to-face interviews with children, families, staff, board members, local businesses, contractors, and donors. MCH annually serves more than 6,000 individuals through residential programs in Waco and a variety of community-based programs through 13 MCH Family Outreach offices in Waco and other communities in Texas and New Mexico. n

CHANNEL 6 PROMOTES NEW MORNING, EVENING, AND WEEKEND ANCHOR LINEUP

Channel 6 has officially named long-time Texas Today morning anchor Kris Radcliffe, weekend anchor Chris Rogers, and Channel 6 reporter Emani Payne to new positions. The shift follows a months-long retooling of the Channel 6 newscasts, including new graphics and features to make information clearer and more accessible to viewers. n

PROVIDENCE FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Providence Foundation recently announced that Jana Whitaker was selected to serve as the Executive Director for the Providence Foundation, effective as of July 29, 2018. In her new role, Jana will lead the Foundation’s development and implementation of policies, procedures, and strategies for fundraising activities. For the past two years, Jana has served on the WHITAKER Ascension Texas Advocacy team as the Senior Director for Advocacy & External Affairs. Her position offered opportunities to engage with associates, community members, and key legislative officials. Prior to accepting this role, Jana served as the Vice-President of Marketing and Communications for six years at Providence. n

COUNCIL MEMBER HOLMES HIRED AS VP AT FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CENTRAL TEXAS

Waco City Council member Jim Holmes has been hired by First National Bank of Central Texas as a HOLMES senior vice president, and will focus on commercial lending, said chairman Monte Hulse, who added Holmes will have an office at First National’s Waco location at 1835 N. Valley Mills Drive. It has five locations in Central Texas. “He is very active in the community, will represent us at various functions, and basically will become the face of the First National Bank of Central Texas,” said Hulse, adding Holmes is filling a newly created position. n

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MCLENNAN RECEIVES GRANT FOR LOCAL SKILLS TRAINING

McLennan Community Collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Corporate Training department received a Skills Development Fund grant totaling $300,959 from the Texas Workforce Commission to train employees in a manufacturing consortium. Training will be provided for 186 new and current employees in the consortium with Anderton Group II Ltd (dba INTEG) and NAES Corp. (Sandy Creek Energy Station). Trainees will include computer analyst, data processing operator, sales representative, power plant operator, maintenance technician and warehouse fulfillment workers. Upon completion of training, the workers will receive an average hourly wage of $26.86. For more information Steven Wenzel, coordinator of Corporate Training, at 254-299-8152. n

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LOOKING FOR ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES?

WE CAN HELP! Printed advertising space is available in the Greater Waco Chamber quarterly magazine and in the annual Waco Community and Referral Guide. Plus, ads in the Waco Chamber Weekly eNewsletter and digital ads on the WacoChamber.com website are great ways to get noticed.

For more information and pricing, contact Autumn Outlaw at aoutlaw@wacochamber.com or 254-757-5603.

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NEW MEMBERS 9Round Fitness 8810 Woodway Dr., Ste. 310 • Waco, TX 76712 9Round.com/WacoTXWoodwayDr (254) 946-1920 Small Business - Gold American Medical Response 6800 Woodway Dr. • Waco TX 76712 (833) 267-9226 • AMR.net Armadillo Tire, LLC 209 S. Jefferson Ave. • McGregor, TX 76657 (254) 709-1395 • ArmadilloTire.com Atkins Wright, PLLC 901 S. Valley Mills Dr. • Waco, TX 76711 (254) 224-6330 • AtkinsWright.com Small Business - Gold Baylor University – Mayborn Museum 1300 S. University Parks Dr. • Waco, TX 76798 (254) 710-1110 • MaybornMuseum.com Bella Luna Italian Bistro 5804 Bosque Blvd. • Waco, TX 76710 (254) 751-1983 Facebook.com/Bella-Luna-ItalianBistro-885544751605672 Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More of Waco 2704 W. Loop 340, Ste. D9 • Waco, TX 76711 (254) 262-4499 • BigFrog.com/Waco Brotherwell Brewing 400 E. Bridge St. • Waco, TX 76704 (214) 763-8755 • Brotherwell.com/home Champions Barber Academy 723 Austin Ave., Ste. 2 • Waco, TX 76701 (254) 300-2320 ChampionsBarberAcademy.com Champions Salon & Barber 6706 Woodway Dr. • Waco, TX 76712 (254) 855-9744 ChampionSalonandBarber.com Cheddar Box P.O. Box 5776 • Waco, TX 76706 (254) 224-6393 • CheddarBoxWaco.com City Ranch Boot 100 N. Sixth St., Ste. 804 • Waco, TX 76701 (254) 855-7225 • CityRanchBoot.com Clark Roofing 4529 Lake Shore Dr. • Waco, TX 76710 (254) 374-4477 • ClarkRoofingTX.com Columbus Heights 2200 Columbus Ave. • Waco, TX 76701 (254) 235-7002 • CityGatePropertyGroup.com Cornerstone Intelligence, LLC 400 Austin Ave., Ste. 101 • Waco, TX 76701 (254) 230-1830 • CornerstoneIntel.com

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PRESENTED BY Cove on 21st 2425 S. 21st St. • Waco, TX 76706 (254) 756-5855 • Coveon21.com

Law Office of Justin H. Anderson 100 N. Sixth St., Ste. 902 • Waco, TX 76701 (254) 644-1004 • JHAFirm.com

CSC Legacy, LLC dba: Centroplex Service Company 302 N. Robinson Dr. • Robinson, TX 76706 (254) 662-3970 • CentroplexService.com

Law Office of Ross Russell, PC 100 N. Sixth St., Ste. 701 • Waco, TX 76701 (254) 307-0019 • RossRussellADR.com

Dave Carter & Associates 7301 Santos Dr. • Waco, TX 76712 (254) 399-9919 • DaveCarter.com Donnis D.L. Wilson P.O. Box 326 • Mart, TX 76664 (254) 717-3652 Goosehead Insurance 7111 Bosque Blvd., Ste. 203 • Waco, TX 76710 (254) 523-0301 GooseheadInsurance.com/agents/jami-curry Hinge 1518 Austin Ave. • Waco, TX 76701 (254) 301-7173 • HingeWaco.com Ilene Haddad Graphic Design 2614 S. Second St. • Austin, TX 78704 (512) 444-5224 • GraphicDesignerd.com Leadership Investor - Bronze Jessup Manufactured Housing LLC 1001 W. Loop 340 • Waco, TX 76712 (254) 235-0222 • JessupHousing.com Jones Ladybug Termite & Pest Management 4800 W. Waco Dr., Ste. 122 • Waco, TX 76710 (254) 399-9991 LadybugPestManagement.com Kristen Parker Law 801 Washington Ave., Ste. 600 • Waco, TX 76701 (254) 757-3430 • KristenParkerLaw.com Lake Ridge Healthy Living 2239 Lake Ridge Cir. • Waco, TX 76710 (254) 366-0858 LakeRidgeHealthyLivingWaco.com

Lone Star Music 939 Lake Air Dr. • Waco, TX 76710 (254) 741-1661 Texas Snow Waco Waco, TX 76712 (254) 855-2051 • TexasSnow.net The Little Gym of Waco 5144 W. Waco Dr. • Waco, TX 76710 (254) 981-3547 • TLGwacotx.com The Whistlin’ Willow 222 N. Main St. • West, TX 76691 (254) 655-8099 • TheWhistlinWillow.com Tinsley Place 715 Cleveland Ave. • Waco, TX 76706 (254) 235-7002 • CityGatePropertyGroup.com Union Home Mortgage 1512 Lake Air Dr., Ste. 117 • Waco, TX 76710 (254) 232-0143 UnionHomeMortgage.com/ddicorte VIBE Main Street Market 216 S. Main St. • McGregor, TX 76657 (254) 236-4167 • TheVibeMarket.com Village Condominiums 1300 S. 11th St. • Waco, TX 76706 (254) 754-6442 • VillageCondos.com Willow Film Co 1920 S. 15th St. • Waco, TX 76706 (480) 528-6889 • WillowFilmOo.com Wings of Waco 415 Owen Ln., Ste. 1003 • Waco, TX 76710 (254) 577-9844 • WingsOfWaco.com WP Waco Waco, TX 76710 (254) 307-2027 • WPWaco.com

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RIBBON CUTTINGS

THE BUCKLE

Member since July 10, 2017. Ribbon Cutting May 26, 2018.