News

We at Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative (GVEC) are proud to be a sponsor of the upcoming Stand Up Rural America Regional Forum, taking place October 7–8, 2025, in Gonzales, Texas, at the JB Wells Event Center.This national forum is designed specifically for rural communities and will feature nationally recognized experts and practitioners, as well as a special regional panel: Logistics: The Foundation for a Thriving Community. Attendees will explore key topics such as planning, leadership, entrepreneurship, downtown revitalization, rural tourism, sustainability, business retention & expansion, communications, retail development, talent strategies, and more.The event promises engaging presentations, interactive discussions, and outstanding...

“Go Soak!” It’s more than just a playful motto at Ottine Mineral Springs, it’s an open invitation to slow down, recharge and discover the restorative power of what guests affectionately call “Texas Magic Water.”Ottine Mineral Springs, located in the GVEC region beneath centuries-old oak trees and Spanish moss along the San Marcos River, is a one-of-a-kind mineral springs resort experience that uniquely blends natural healing, relaxation and history.From Hot Plunges to Hammocks: Wellness Retreat PerfectionOttine Mineral Springs is more than just a spa. It’s a full mind-and-body retreat where guests can slow down and recharge from the bustle of everyday...

In the small Texas town of Yoakum, the sound of tools on leather has been part of daily life for almost 100 years. No one knows that more keenly than local saddle-maker, Circle Y Saddles, home to generations of craftsmen and women who proudly pass down their skills and artistry of saddlemaking. It’s a craft that connects past to present, preserving the town’s identity in every hand-tooled detail.In the GVEC region, Yoakum is a town built by ranchers, saddle-makers and leatherworkers. Located about 90 minutes east of San Antonio and two hours west of Houston, Yoakum offers a unique blend...

From its beginnings in a tent beside a sandy street in Indianola to its current location on the main highway through Cuero, Reuss Pharmacy has been serving Texas residents since 1845. And now, after 180 years, the company that currently owns Reuss has closed the doors for good on Wednesday, Aug. 27, at 11:00 a.m.For decades, it was a place where locals could not only get their prescriptions filled, they could buy medical devices, medical supplies, over-thecounter medications, gifts and cards. Cueroites could count on windows being decorated for the various holidays and with Go Gobbler slogans during football season.Click...

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today announced a commitment to new actions (PDF, 1.2 MB) to increase the number of rural food animal veterinarians across the U.S. and recruit new veterinarians to join the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in their role to protect American ranchers, animals, and our food supply.Secretary Rollins also announced two awardees of the Veterinary Services Grant Program which will allow for expanded capabilities to serve livestock producers in rural Mississippi and opened a new consolidated USDA office with the Rural Development, the Farm Service Agency, and the Mississippi Farm Bureau in line with...

Texas has long been known as a national leader in job creation, energy production, and entrepreneurship. Now, it is taking another bold step forward in expanding its role as a financial powerhouse with the launch of the Texas Stock Exchange (TXSE). Headquartered in Dallas, the TXSE is set to shift the landscape for business leaders and investors by creating a new, competitive venue to raise capital and invest in regional growth.Backed by financial giants including BlackRock, Citadel Securities, Charles Schwab, and Fortress, the TXSE aims to begin trading in 2026 and promises to bring Wall Street energy to the Lone...

The Powerhouses Driving GrowthIn today’s dynamic economic landscape, tourism has emerged as a robust engine for local, state, and national growth. Over the last two years, particularly in the period from 2024 to 2025, the industry has not only rebounded from global disruptions but has also reinvented its strategic role in driving economic development. From innovations in digital marketing and infrastructure investments to the resurgence of domestic travel and spectator events, tourism now occupies a central place in policy planning and community revitalization. This article explores the multifaceted contributions of tourism to economic development during this period, examines emerging trends,...

The Wagner family has been meeting the hardware needs of Cuero and the surrounding communities for 80 years with Wagner’s Hardware & Gifts. Over the decades, they have strived to maintain the historical integrity of their building and store while diversifying their product lines to incorporate the needs of more shoppers and visitors. Reed and Beverly Wagner have helmed the enterprise together since 1989 and have been celebrating 80 in a big way – with an $80 gift voucher giveaway to customers each month. With the holidays approaching, even more surprises are in store.The beginning of a legacy Wagner Hardware was...

Governor Greg Abbott today announced seven Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grants totaling $1,692,417 have been awarded to seven schools in South Texas by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). The JET grants will support career and technical education (CTE) training programs by helping the schools purchase and install equipment to initially train 482 students for high-demand occupations as nurses, electricians, mechanics, and more.“Texas continues to support career and technical training programs to ensure young Texans have the tools necessary to be competitive in high-demand industries,” said Governor Abbott. “The over $1.6 million in job training grants will help prepare...

Rural America is having a moment. Policymakers and business leaders increasingly see the heartland as indispensable to the nation’s future health and prosperity.What are the unique strengths of rural communities? What are their most pressing needs? And how can rural communities across the U.S. position themselves as viable destinations for economic investment?Earlier this year, Guild members Dennis Donovan, Tess Fay, John Longshore, Alexandra Segers and Chad Sweeney came together for a panel at the Site Selectors Guild Annual Conference in March 2025 to address these questions and more.Click here to read the original article from the Site Selectors Guild.

Community-powered movements are often the most sustainable and satisfying. The GVEC Power Up Grant Program has turned small donations into improved safety, access, education, and quality of life across its service area for over a decade.The deadline for the next cycle of applications is fast approaching - August 15 at 5:00 p.m. - so don’t delay! Whether launching a community garden, renovating a public space, improving accessibility, or investing in life-saving equipment, Power Up can help bring your plan across the finish line.“In our eyes, it doesn’t matter how big or small; the value to the community is the true...

More major upgrades are coming to Seguin’s Manuel Castilla Park.The park, located at the corner of Guadalupe and Martindale streets, recently received a new large pavilion — thanks to the Seguin Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class.Parks and Recreation Director Jack Jones says that partnership with the leadership class has sparked some additional improvements to be made soon by the city.Jones says the park will get a totally new playground, which will replace an outdated and undersized playscape currently in place.Click here to view the original article.

Every year, more professionals take the leap into entrepreneurship, and more often than not, they're forming LLCs to do it. According to the IRS, LLCs made up 72.7% of all partnerships in 2022, far surpassing other entity types for the last two decades.Why? LLCs combine the liability protection of a corporation with the simplicity and flexibility of a sole proprietorship. But those aren't the only reasons they've become the go-to structure for startups, solo professionals, and even families looking to preserve generational wealth. Here's why the LLC continues to gain momentum — and what that signals for the evolving business...