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Founded in 1888, Adams Extract & Spice is one of the oldest continuously operated companies in Texas and one of the oldest spice and extract companies in the U.S. Since 2002, Adams has maintained a full-service spice and extract packaging and manufacturing operation at a 90,000 square foot facility in Gonzales, TX.Adams has been a model of success typical in Gonzales and Texas’ Guadalupe Valley. The company celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2013, receiving the Texas Treasure Business Award, which recognizes the accomplishments of Texas businesses that have provided employment opportunities and support for the state’s economy for at least...

ExperienceGuadalupeValley.com Offers Enhanced User Experience, Interactive Features, and Tools for Business AttractionGONZALES, TX–Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative’s (GVEC) economic development subsidiary, Guadalupe Valley Development Corporation (GVDC), is thrilled to announce the launch of its newly redesigned website, ExperienceGuadalupeValley.com, created in collaboration with Golden Shovel Agency. This state-of-the-art website is set to become a pivotal tool for business attraction and site selection in the Guadalupe Valley region.The revamped website boasts a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for visitors to navigate and find the information they need. Whether you’re a local business owner, a potential investor, or a site selector, the new...

The Surprising Diversity of Tech Hub LocationsOne of the most surprising aspects of the Biden-Harris administration’s announcement of $504 million in funding for its Tech Hubs is the geographical diversity of the 12 selected hubs. Unlike previous federal initiatives that often concentrate resources in established tech centers, this funding round strategically targeted a wide range of locations, including both urban and rural areas. For instance, the Elevate Quantum Tech Hub, which has been awarded $41 million, spans two states and highlights a collaborative approach across state lines in Colorado and New Mexico.The Heartland BioWorks hub in Indiana received $51 million...

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that the Biden-Harris Administration is making investments that will strengthen American food supply chains, increase independent meat and poultry processing capacity, create more, new and better markets for producers, and lower food costs.Thanks to funding from President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, USDA is investing nearly $110 million through the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) and the Local Meat Capacity (Local MCap) Grant Program.“The Biden-Harris Administration and USDA are advancing a sustainable vision of agriculture that prioritizes the needs of hardworking producers and small businesses and keeps rural communities...

Started in 1990 as Kessler’s Auto Supply by Cathy Kessler, this small-town NAPA Auto Parts has always been known by its big attitude and unusual mostly all-women crew.Cathy created a loyal customer base by having an unrivaled knowledge of parts and a tenacity like no other. Crystal Irle joined the crew in 2010 and soon worked her way to becoming Cathy’s right-hand woman.Crystal spent the next five years soaking up everything thrown at her. Coupled with Cathy’s strong, independent character and business savvy mentorship, Crystal strove to be the best parts woman and parts store around. Crystal became partner over...

GVEC’s 2024 Annual Meeting took place on June 28 at the Gonzales High School Special Events Center. In all, 1,393 members participated: 168 in person and 1,225 by proxy.Registration began at 5:30 p.m., with GVEC Board President Gary E. Birdwell calling the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Board Vice President Henry “Bubba” Schmidt Jr. delivered the invocation.Before the business meeting began, members registered to vote and for prize drawings, enjoyed the traditional chili dog meal and browsed exhibits featuring GVEC products and services.Read the full article here.

Unlocking Economic Growth with General AviationHave you ever heard the hum of a plane overhead and wondered about the impact the local airport has on your community? You might be surprised to learn that general aviation airports are more than just takeoff and landing strips—they are powerful economic engines driving growth and prosperity. Download the comprehensive whitepaper, "From Runways to Revenue: Economic Benefits of Your Local Airport," and uncover the untapped potential lying within your local airport.Read the full article from Golden Shovel Agency here.

The more time I spend working in marketing, the more parallels I find between my professional and personal life. This makes sense because I am a human being with human experience. Naturally, there will be some synchronicities.I recently picked up Deepak Chopra's The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, and after finishing it (it's a super easy read), I kept thinking about how much of it resonated with me and how much I wanted to apply to my work.Most folks have a hard line between work and life. "It's just business," "I am a different person at work," etc. But what...

Analysis is not a department, it’s everyone’s job. For best results, question every decision, every process and those regular tasks in your business that you’ve always done. Make sure every path you take is the best one to take at any given time. No one sleepwalks their way to success. It’s definite and intentional and it involves your thinking cap.ChatGPT can help you dig into your data to make decisions that will supercharge your growth with less of the admin. Copy, paste and edit the square brackets in ChatGPT, and keep the same chat window open so the context carries...

If Texas were a country, it would be the eighth-largest economy in the world, ahead of Canada and even Russia. In 2022, Texas’ gross domestic product (GDP) — the total market value of all finished goods and services — totaled $2.4 trillion. Texas keeps climbing the world economic ranks; only a decade ago, it was the 12th-largest economy.Read the full article here.

A whopping 172 teams from all over the globe are expected to take part in the “world’s toughest canoe race” this weekend as the Texas Water Safari returns for its 61st year — and the Gonzales Dam will once again be a checkpoint.This year’s race will again shove off from the Texas State University Meadows Center for Water and the Environment in San Marcos (the former Aquarena Springs) on Spring Lake this Saturday, June 8 at 9 a.m.The course traverses the San Marcos River to the Guadalupe River (the confluence of the two is in Gonzales) to Guadalupe Bay and...

Jiansen Wang, a graduate teaching assistant at Purdue University in the School of Aviation and Transportation Technology, is coming to the University of Houston-Victoria to become the first faculty member in the aviation program.“I am excited to see him come to UHV; he will bring in expertise that we never had,” said Dmitri Sobolev, professor of biology and interim dean of the UHV College of Natural & Applied Science. “The long-term plan is, I hope, by as early as Fall 2025, we can offer aviation as a major instead of a minor.”Read the full article here.

Susan Sankey, executive director of the Gonzales Economic Development Corporation, graduated from the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute (OU EDI) at the OU Spring session this year.OU EDI is an intensive 117-hour certificate program that provides a broad spectrum of advanced education for the economic development professional. Barry Matherly, CEcD, and Dean for OU EDI, said, "OU Economic Development Institute is the premier organization dedicated to training economic development professionals. These graduates have invested in improving their professional capabilities to support their local communities. Congratulations to all.”Read the full article here.

The Alamo is excited to announce a call for pop culture items to be included in the Alamo’s Visitor Center and Museum, scheduled to open in 2027. The collection team is seeking donations of commemorative artifacts and memorabilia related to the Alamo from the period after 1945, to be featured in the dedicated Pop Culture gallery.The Alamo has been a source of inspiration in various media, including movies, television shows, literature, and more. The collections team aims to create a vibrant and engaging gallery that reflects the Alamo’s enduring influence on popular culture. Items such as movie posters and props,...

Texas is the state with the most Fortune 500 companies, according to the 68th Fortune 500 annual list of the largest U.S. corporations, with 53 Fortune 500 corporate headquarters that call the Lone Star State home. With the June 2022 announcement that Caterpillar is moving its global headquarters from Illinois, to Irving, Texas, the number of Fortune 500 companies is now at 54.New York state dropped from No. 1 to the No. 2 spot with 51 Fortune 500 companies. California, with 50, is in third place. Texas cities also fared well. Houston and Dallas made the list of the nation’s...

Economic development is intrinsically linked to the strength and adaptability of the local workforce. As economies evolve, it becomes crucial for economic developers to implement strategies that not only address current labor market needs but also anticipate future demands. Let’s dive into practical ways that economic development organizations can support their local workforce, ensuring sustainable growth and resilience.Read the full article here.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is funding 47 projects in 23 states to improve access to reliable electricity and clean drinking water for more than one million people and create good-paying jobs across the nation. The announcement was made during President Biden's Infrastructure Week which highlights the progress the Biden-Harris Administration has made to improve American infrastructure through historic funding packages such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act.The investments advance President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, a key pillar of Bidenomics, to grow the American economy from the middle out...

Find the events that the Texas Economic Development Corporation will be participating  in this year!JuneTxEDC Annual Investor SummitJune 3-6 | BIO International Conference | San Diego, CAJune 11 | TxEDC Board Meeting | Virtual 10am-11:30amJune 23-26 | SelectUSA Investor Summit | National Harbor, MDJune 30 | Copa America at Q2 Stadium | Austin, TXJulyJuly 2 | Copa America at Q2 Stadium | Austin, TXJuly 16 | MLB All-Star Game at Globe Life Field | Arlington, TXInternational Business Mission | AsiaAugustDomestic Site Selectors Meeting Find more upcoming events here.

GVEC is excited to celebrate Economic Development Week (EDW) from May 6th - May 10th. EDW, established by the International Economic Development Council, highlights the importance of economic development in our region and across the globe.Economic development is crucial for the GVEC’s Regional growth and prosperity. It encompasses various initiatives, from attracting new businesses to supporting existing ones, creating new job opportunities, and enhancing our community's overall quality of life."Embracing economic development isn't just about prosperity; it's about building the foundation for a thriving community, where opportunities abound and dreams can take flight."Understanding the Role of the GVECEconomic development is...

Getting through the maze of federal funding and incentives in the world of manufacturing site selection and facility planning is akin to a high-stakes chess game. It's not just about the allure of the funds; it's the intricate dance of aligning these opportunities with your project's timelines and strategic goals. Here’s what this means for you as an executive steering the ship.Fierce CompetitionFinding federal funding is more than just a financial strategy, it’s a test of your project's flexibility and endurance. Imagine you've got your eyes on a juicy grant that seems perfect for slashing your project costs. But here's...

Gonzales has been named among the most charming river towns in Texas, according to the World Atlas in an article listed on their website, worldatlas.com, “8 Most Charming River Towns In Texas to Visit in 2024.”While the other river towns listed, namely Goliad, New Braunfels, Wimberley, Concan, Llano, Nederland, and Blanco, are also deserving of a visit, Gonzales is proud to be a river town filled with not only beauty and charm, but a rich history and a lovely downtown district.World Atlas encourages visitors to visit the Gonzales Memorial Museum for a first-hand look at the little cannon that could,...

The new boutique is named after the daughters of owners Shane, left, and Krysten Durbin, Jenny June (left) and Presley Pearl (right).The newest downtown Cuero addition is June’s Pearl’s on E. Main Street. The Cuero Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for the grand opening on Saturday, March 23rd.Read the full article here.

The leadership team at The Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative (GVEC) had the pleasure of welcoming Daisy Scheske Freeman as its new Economic Development Director last July. Since being appointed to her new role, Scheske Freeman has been driving economic and job growth in the Guadalupe Valley while supporting the needs of its member communities and consumers. Take a look at what her track record of success means for the future of Guadalupe Valley, Texas.About Daisy Scheske FreemanScheske Freeman brings more than a decade of supervisory executive experience at the Gonzales Chamber, where she collaborated closely with businesses, civic organizations, government...

An ad on social media led to a Seguin-based nonprofit receiving a $100,000 grant from a professional basketball team and national bank.Spurs Give and Frost Bank announced they were giving Teatro de Artes de Juan Seguin a 2023-24 Frost Operation-Renovation Grant.“This grant will empower these organizations to renovate their facilities, creating a lasting impact on our community,” Spurs Way wrote in its post announcing the grant recipients.Read the full article here.

On Monday, April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will pass across the United States. The Guadalupe Valley falls right within the path of totality, which makes it one of the best places in Texas to see this rare event. Business owners and community leaders across the region are hosting events to watch the eclipse. There are family-friendly opportunities to learn about space and gatherings for adults as well.  The next total solar eclipse in the United States isn’t until 2044, so make sure you visit The Guadalupe Valley so you don’t miss out. Here’s what you need to know. Eclipse...

Many people dream of starting their own business. Running an enterprise in your home, garage or on the go means you can take more control over your professional goals, set more ambitious financial targets and achieve a more desirable work-life balance.But what if you're ready to start a business but don't know what type of services to provide? You've come to the right place if you need profitable business ideas. Below, find a detailed breakdown of 63 small business ideas — from financial services to physical labor and creative contracting — to help you chart a path forward.Read the full...