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...

With a population surging past 31 million and the eighth-largest economy in the world, Texas is experiencing an unprecedented wave of industrial growth. This expansion is powered in part by the state’s unmatched energy output — Texas produces nearly a quarter of all U.S. energy, more than any other state. While this growth brings jobs, investment, and innovation, it also places new demands on the infrastructure that underpins the Lone Star State’s economic momentum.Texas’s Bold Response to Energy and Water DemandsBooming sectors like tech, manufacturing, and logistics are driving sharp increases in Texas’ energy use, placing growing pressure on grid...

Governor Greg Abbott today announced the next 2025 Governor’s Small Business Summit will be held in Rockport-Fulton on July 10. Held throughout the year and in regions across the state, the Governor’s Small Business Summits aim to help Texas small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs succeed by connecting them with the resources and information needed to start, strengthen, and grow a business.“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and the heart of Texas' vibrant communities,” said Governor Abbott. “From family-owned shops to innovative startups, more than 3.3 million small businesses across our state fuel job creation and drive our...

From the Permian Basin to the Gulf Coast, TxDOT continues to push forward on major infrastructure projects aimed at keeping Texas connected, safe and moving into the future. Here’s a look back at groundbreakings and ribbon cuttings for projects across the state in June.MidlandA significant traffic shift is underway in Midland as the long-awaited Midkiff and Cotton Flat bridge projects near completion along Interstate 20. Beginning Saturday, July 13, traffic will be rerouted onto newly constructed bridges, allowing drivers to pass over Midkiff Road and Cotton Flat Road.Demolition of the previous structures began in mid-2023. Crews have been working around...

The competition to be recognized as one of the “best of the best” Texas barbecue joints by Texas Monthly has heated up faster than a propane grill in Hank Hill’s experienced hands.For the 2025 edition of this quadrennial list, TM barbecue editor Daniel Vaughn and his staff of taste testers went to more restaurants than ever before — 319 stands, smokehouses, shacks or pits, to be exact.And while Gonzales’ own Baker Boys BBQ didn’t reach quite the same heights it did in 2017 and 2021 — when the restaurant was named one of the Top 50 spots in the Lone...

James Beard-nominated pitmasters draw praise for ribs, brisketSAN ANTONIO – Seguin’s Burnt Bean Co. landed at the top of Texas Monthly’s list of 50 best barbecue joints in the Lone Star State.Texas Monthly, which released its list on Tuesday, praised Burnt Bean pitmasters David Kirkland and Ernest Servantes for their weekend-only rib dishes, plus their brisket, turkey and sausage.The restaurant’s bourbon peach cobbler taco dessert and its ambiance, reminiscent of “a museum of small-town Texas,” were also noted. (Read the full review here.)This isn’t the first time Burnt Bean has earned high praise from respected outlets.Continue reading the full article...

On June 1, Ottine Mineral Springs in Gonzales will officially re-open to the public, unveiling a massive renovation to the historic site about an hour and 15 minutes from Austin. Until recently, this 40-acre property was home to just two private mineral-fed pools, but now this sprawling land is dotted with five new pools of varying adjustable temperatures, outdoor dining options, saunas, cold plunges, cabanas, fire pits, and much more.The scale of Ottine Mineral Springs' glow-up is hard to comprehend, so CultureMap made a little day trip out to the property to experience everything it has to offer and get...

U.S. Department of Agriculture Director of Communications Seth W. Christensen today released a statement calling out Congressional Democrats for politicizing disaster aid for farmers in need across the country:“Congressional Democrats are playing politics with disaster aid, withholding critical funding from farmers to manufacture controversy and blame the Trump Administration—when in reality, they’re pushing to misuse taxpayer dollars.Secretary Rollins is working in good faith to deliver relief quickly and responsibly. USDA has met weekly with eligible states, offering flexible options and clear guidance to avoid duplicating existing federal programs.Click here to read the original article from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

A class in leadership led a group of community members to take the lead on updating one of Seguin’s parks with a little extra shade.The Seguin Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 Leadership Seguin Class recently cut the ribbon on a pavilion it had built at Manuel C. Castilla Park on the north side of the city.The group raised about $75,000 to construct the 40-foot by 60-foot shade structure through the help of community partnerships, Leadership Seguin member Jake Pflumm said.“This was a very concerted effort. It was a partnership,” he said. “It is a really big testament to the Seguin community...

Governor Greg Abbott today commended the Texas Legislature for making a Texas-size investment in the state's water infrastructure following passage of Senate Bill 7 and House Joint Resolution 7.“With the dramatic population growth that Texas continues to experience, our water supplies are drying up, impacting Texans and communities across our great state,” said Governor Abbott. “This Texas-size water package is critical to fix broken and leaking pipes and give our agriculture producers in the Rio Grande Valley and West Texas the water they need to grow their crops. Thanks to the efforts of Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Speaker Burrows, Senator...

A bill increasing the amount of money the state spends to attract film and television productions to Texas has been sent to Gov. Greg Abbott after lawmakers agreed to lower what had originally been proposed at the start of the year.Senate Bill 22, filed by Houston Republican Sen. Joan Huffman, would allow the comptroller to deposit $300 million into a new Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Fund every two years until 2035. The Senate's version of the bill would have deposited $500 million every two years until 2035. However, the House amended this version of the bill to lower it...

I get it. The economy seems uncertain and companies across the country are looking for a place where they can grow with confidence. In Texas, we like to say it ain’t braggin’ if it’s true—and the fact of the matter is, takes care of business. With a budget surplus, world-class infrastructure, a skilled workforce, and a can-do attitude that turns challenges into opportunities, Texas remains the safest place for business expansion and retention, both now and for generations to come.One of the biggest reasons businesses continue to choose Texas is our unwavering commitment to fiscal responsibility. While other states like...

When business and manufacturing leaders plan facility upgrades, art is not usually part of the blueprint. Equipment, efficiency, and lighting systems come first — and understandably so. Yet, a growing body of research and field experience proves that strategically incorporated art can do more than beautify a facility. It can improve employees' well-being, boost productivity, and even enhance safety. Art is not a luxury. It's a smart, strategic investment in individuals — and in performance.How One Warehouse Transformed with ArtAustin Energy's warehouse at Cameron Park demonstrates how thoughtfully integrated art can elevate industrial spaces. Building upon a previous successful collaboration...

Oil and gas companies locate where they need to – proximity to the Permian Basin, Marcellus Shale or LNG hubs along the Gulf Coast for example. But where are their future employees looking to launch and grow their careers? Recent analysis from LearnToDrill.com, an online education and training resource for professionals in the oil and gas industry, offers insights into what its top five states with the fastest-growing career opportunities bring to the table as potential locations for workers.1) TEXASTexas provides over 400,000 direct jobs in the oil and gas industry, making up nearly 40% of all U.S. oil and...

Located in a carefully restored historic home on Camp Street in downtown Seguin, Texas, Pecantown Books and Brews is far more than a bookstore. It’s a place where the best in books, food, and community intersect. Founded by Tess Coody-Anders in June 2022, this cozy space has quickly become a regional destination for readers, food lovers, and regional travelers. “We opened almost three years ago in downtown Seguin with the intent of bringing new books, new food, and new opportunities to connect to the downtown area,” Coody-Anders said. The vision extended beyond creating a retail space to curating a unique cultural...