Business-Henderson County Now

CCL Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

A big THANKS to the CCLACC 2015 Board of Directors for their volunteer service and commitment to our organization. It’s going to be a great year! Pictured from left: Robbye Grissom/BnR Pit Grill (Treasurer), Marty Mullins/TexasAbility LLC, Michelle Sjerven/Statewide Surveying Services Kaufman, Tony Kalawe/Edward Jones Investments Athens (Secretary), Jim Thompson/Solar Turbines, Tracy Mitchell/Tracy Mitchell Custom Homes & Mitchell Outdoor Products, Derrick Hoelscher/Northeast Texas Insurance Group (back) (Vice Chair), Ralph Fortner/Southside Bank Gun Barrel City (Immediate Past Chair), and Bill Gallagher/PrimaData Inc. (Chair).

From the CCL Area Chamber Facebook Page

Community Group Hears Reports from Administrators, Tour TVCC

Jayson Larson/TVCC Public Information

Business and community leaders got a glimpse of the best Trinity Valley Community College has to offer during the Athens Leadership Institute’s Education Day on Wednesday.

ALI – which aims to educate leaders about the community in which they live, invest, worship and work – got a tour of facilities and heard reports from a number of TVCC administrators. TVCC President Dr. Glendon Forgey talked about TVCC’s selection as one of the top community colleges in the nation by the Aspen Institute.

Aspen recognizes institutions for exceptional student outcomes in four areas: student learning, certificate and degree completion, employment and earnings, and high levels of access and success for minority and low-income students.

“It’s because of our administration, faculty and staff that we have received that honor three years running,” Forgey said. Continue reading “Community Group Hears Reports from Administrators, Tour TVCC”

Athens Chamber Seeks ‘Citizen of the Year’ Nominations

Press release

The search is on for the 2014 Athens Citizen of the Year. Do you know someone living in Athens who, over a long span of time and beyond the duties of their regular employment, has exhibited generous community spirit and a commitment to improving the quality of life for the citizens of Athens and the entire community? Someone who demonstrates outstanding leadership, citizenship, vision, civic pride and a strong commitment to a better Athens and whose volunteerism and community involvement has had a positive influence and improved the quality of life for individuals in Athens. A person who might go largely unknown to the majority of the community, and yet quietly performs tasks that make Athens a better place to call home.

If so, we invite you to submit a nomination for someone that deserves the recognition of this award. Deadline for the nomination is December 18, 2014. The award recipient’s identity will be kept secret until it is announced and the recipient is honored at the January 23, 2015 Athens Chamber of Commerce annual banquet at the Athens Country Club. Continue reading “Athens Chamber Seeks ‘Citizen of the Year’ Nominations”

Athens EDC Agrees to Buy Land for Airport Expansion

UPDATE: Added quote from Athens Mayor Jerry Don Vaught Friday, Nov. 21.

By Michael V. Hannigan

Wednesday, the Athens Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) announced an agreement to buy almost 300 acres of land adjacent to the Athens Municipal Airport for runway expansion.

The move is the latest in a joint effort between the AEDC, City of Athens and the Airport Advisory Board.

Officials say that expanding the airport will have a significant impact on economic development and help attract bigger businesses to the area.

AEDC President Jess Laird said the lack of a runway to serve larger planes has been a common issue during development talks with companies thinking about building in Athens. Continue reading “Athens EDC Agrees to Buy Land for Airport Expansion”

Gooden Announces Water District Questioned by Grand Jury

State Rep. Lance Gooden speaks to the Cedar Creek Lake Area Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, Nov. 13.

By Michael V. Hannigan

Thursday, State Rep. Lance Gooden announced that the Henderson County Grand Jury questioned officials from the Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD) in September at his request.

TRWD owns and operates Cedar Creek Lake as well as three other major water reservoirs.

Gooden told members of the Cedar Creek Lake Area Chamber of Commerce that he was concerned with the way the TRWD board is spending money, but said he has been stymied from getting details.

“I suspect that there’s probably mismanagement and there are things happening there that should not be happening, which is why I turned in an open records request in March,” he told HCN. “I have yet to get all the information I’ve requested. Continue reading “Gooden Announces Water District Questioned by Grand Jury”