The 2023-24 Leadership Brownwood class met Thursday to learn about Economic Development in Brownwood. Deputy City Manager, Marshal McIntosh, and Director of Brownwood Municipal Development and Tourism, Ray Tipton, presented information about the local economy. The class toured New Event Center, Brown County Water Treatment Plant, Brownwood Lyric Theatre, and Rocking Oak Woodworks. This session was sponsored by Performance Pipe.
Performance Pipe — a division of Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP — is one of the largest producer of polyethylene piping products in North America, with more than 40 years of proven performance, quality and innovation in natural gas, industrial, municipal, mining, oilfield and utility applications. Performance Pipe joined the Brownwood Industrial Park in 1964 with a land deal that was made possible by the Brownwood Industrial Foundation Inc.
The Brownwood Industrial Foundation, Inc. as we know it today, was actually established in 1943 as the Brownwood Chamber of Commerce Industrial Fund. The purpose of the fund was for “advancing the commercial, industrial, and general interest of the City of Brownwood and Brown County, Texas.” Followng Camp Bowie closing in 1946, The Industrial Committee began planning and collecting funds, again from individuals and businesses, so they might purchase some of the lands from the government. In September of 1948, Bill Monroe from the Industrial group purchased 80 buildings and 340 acres of land for $280,000. This land was used to develop the industrial park, which now boasts major industries such as 3M, Kohler, Superior Essex and Performance Pipe.
In addition to a thriving industrial park, Brownwood continues to grow its economic footprint with the recruitment of chain stores for our Commerce Square such as Boot Barn and TJ Max. This expansion is seen in the number of small businesses opened in the last few years as well as the continued revitalization in Downtown Brownwood. Access to a regional hospital also sets Brownwood and Brown County apart from other rural communities and makes for a strong economy. To learn more about the local economy, join us for Economic Summit scheduled for February 7, 2024. Registration will open next week for this event. For more information, contact Kandice at director@brownwoodchamber.org.
Recent Comments