Volume 15 Issue 3 "Working together for a better tomorrow" August 10, 2022
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Question: What is the oldest business in Texas?
** Scroll down for answer **
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“ For all its enormous range of space, climate, and physical appearance, and for all the internal squabbles, contentions, and strivings, Texas has a tight cohesiveness perhaps stronger than any other section of America. Rich, poor, Panhandle, Gulf, city, county, Texas is the obsession, the proper study and the passionate possession of all Texans.”
— John Steinbeck
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City of Southlake
Mayor John Huffman
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"For Our Families." It's become a familiar catch-phrase for Southlake Mayor John Huffman and his family because friends and family are what it's all about. He and his wife Elizabeth have called Southlake home since 2008. During that time, the Huffmans have integrated themselves into the community. Mayor Huffman was elected mayor in 2021 and has served on City Council since 2015. Before that, he was chair of the Zoning Board of Adjustment. His other volunteer activities include coaching in Dragon Youth Baseball, volunteering at First Baptist Grapevine, and supporting various civic organizations like House of Shine and GRACE. In addition, he and Elizabeth own Black Door Renovation, which has a mission to help families fall back in love with their space one house at a time.
Giving back is also a passion for the Huffmans. They have supported Run4Elise and the Southlake Chamber of Commerce through the years. They also embrace community events like Home for the Holidays – Christmastime in Southlake, Southlake's Stars & Stripes, Art in the Square, and Celebrate Southlake.
The Huffmans are parents to three children, Caroline, Andrew, and Anna. Now that their children are teenagers, they also serve by participating in volunteer activities around the area.
"The kids have been a part of Southlake's Teen Court and the Youth Citizens Academy," said Mayor Huffman. "While they are having fun, they are also learning what it means to contribute towards a better tomorrow."
The community-family focus has deep roots, and the mayor says it guides his professional and personal life.
"We love this City," said Mayor Huffman. "Meeting up with friends and neighbors, meeting new people, hearing new ideas, there's something about Southlake that is unique and special. There is no other place in the world that we want to call home."
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On a more personal note
What I do for fun -Coaching and watching my kids in sports, traveling with family, and playing pickup basketball.
Favorite movie - Gladiator.
Restaurant - Anything in Southlake - Delucca Gaucho Pizza, Feedstore, and Stella are some of our favorites!
Vacation spot - Anything with the family. We love Deer Valley UT in the winter and anywhere cool in the summer!
Last book read - "Never Split the Difference" by Chris Voss
People would be surprised to know that... We are working towards visiting all 50 states before my oldest kid graduates high school (we are at 31 already) so we are having quite the adventure!
Article courtesy of
The City of Southlake
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City & Economic Development
Southlake
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The City of Southlake has been recognized on several occasions for its commitment to excellence in economic development practices in the State of Texas by the Texas Economic Development Council (TEDC), an honor not taken lightly! Economic development in Southlake focuses on maintaining a strong and healthy local economy by attracting top-tier businesses while maintaining the health of existing companies that helped to make the City what it is today.
As the City of Southlake nears build-out, economic development efforts become even more intentional and vital! The remaining land for development exists mainly along the State Highway 114 Corridor that bisects the City. There are currently several examples of Class A offices along the highway, including Varispace and District 114, which is currently at 100% occupancy. Also located along the corridor is Granite Place I, a Class A Office development that recently took home several titles for The Office Building of the Year (TOBY) Award on a local, national, and international level! Granite Place II is under construction, immediately adjacent to the award-winning Granite Place I at 550 Reserve Street. This is precisely the type of development the City of Southlake wants to be recognized for and continues to strive for.
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Mayor John Huffman created the Target Industry Recruitment Task Force to involve community stakeholders in the strategic planning process of top-tier business attraction and development. The Task Force comprises business-minded community stakeholders, many of whom own businesses or work in the corporate world. They discuss the industry's future in Southlake, intending to maintain a strong, healthy, and vibrant economy. Guided by the Economic Development Master Plan, adopted in 2016, the Task Force will help to direct the efforts of the City economic development staff by playing an active role in determining the future of Southlake development. Currently, the Task Force is focusing on attracting top-tier businesses such as corporate headquarters, financial institutions, and the like.
The Target Industry Recruitment Task Force allows for citizen involvement in the future of Southlake. The Task Force aims to ensure that when the City of Southlake does reach build-out, it is a community that the residents will be proud to call their home and raise their families in, but also a community that businesses of varying sizes will want to establish. As the City evolves, the balance of economic development efforts will regularly shift between retention of existing businesses and attraction of new companies, depending on the climate.
Article courtesy of The City of Southlake
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On Tuesday, July 26, The Tarrant County Commissioners Court approved $35.5 million in funding to improve public health and wellness, revitalize the economy, and strengthen the community from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 35 projects selected will be funded through the County's American Rescue Plan Act Fiscal Recovery Funds (FRF) Program. A total of 131 applications were submitted by 95 organizations, totaling $208 million in requested FRF funds. Three of those applications were awarded to CEC, GRACE, and 6Stones here in Precinct 3.
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Tarrant County Commissioners Court approved a $180,000 grant agreement with Meals on Wheels of Tarrant County to provide air conditioners for vulnerable residents within the County.
With the agreement, Meals on Wheels will be able to purchase and install air conditioner and air conditioner/heater combination window units.
Anyone needing a unit should call their social worker or case manager. The social worker or case manager will call Meals on Wheels at (817)336-0912 to provide the referral.
If an individual is in need but does not have a case manager or social worker, they should call Tarrant County Aging and Disability Resource Center at 855-937-2372 or Tarrant County Department of Human Services at 817-531-5620 for more information or to speak with a case worker.
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For more information click here. | |
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Fire Station Community Center
817-924-9971
1601 Lipscomb St., Fort Worth, TX 76104
Hillside Community Center
817-871-7660
1201 E. Maddox., Fort Worth, TX 76104
Martin Luther King Community Center
817-871-5960
5565 Truman Dr., Fort Worth, TX 7611
Northside Community Center
817-871-5820
1100 NW 18th St., Fort Worth, TX 76106
Riverside Community Center in Sylvania Park
817-871-7640
3700 E Belknap St., Fort Worth, TX 76111
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Salvation Army Arlington Family Life Center
Family Life Center and Youth Education Town
817-860-1836
712 W Abram St., Arlington, TX 76013
Salvation Army of Tarrant County | Community Center Services
817-344-1800
1855 E. Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth, TX 76103
Sycamore Community Center | Community Centers
817-871-7675
2525 E Rosedale St Fort Worth, TX 76105
Click here for more information.
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Kathryn Rotter
Community Outreach Coordinator
Kathryn loves TCU and bleeds PURPLE. She graduated from TCU with a BBA focused on Business Management and Marketing from Texas Christian University - M.J. Neeley School of Business. Before coming to work for Commissioner Fickes, she worked for our Tarrant County Judge, Glen Whitley, as a Community Outreach Coordinator. During her ten years with Judge Whitley, she was tasked with creating a senior expo event, Senior Synergy, for the west side of Tarrant County. Kathryn has one son who graduated from Stephen F. Austin and continued his education, and is now serving the community by becoming a paramedic/firefighter. She is a brand new Grandmother, as her son and daughter-in-law, who live in Collin County, delivered their first child in April of 2022. Kathryn enjoys the outdoors, including hunting, loves to travel, and spending time with her family.
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Question Answer:
Not only is Imperial Sugar Company the oldest business in the State of Texas, but it still makes the same products, refined cane sugar and molasses. It currently is still located on the same site where it was founded in 1843.
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