Monday Morning Report
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The Executive Committee meets this Wednesday, April 15 at the Corridor Council offices in San Marcos at 304 N. CM Allen Parkway at 2:00 pm. To RSVP or for more information please email council@thecorridor.org or call 512-558-7360.
The General Marshall Fund Rail Conference and Workshop co-sponsored by the Council in February has a detailed final report on each day of the Workshop, including links to all of the presentations here.
Join us in welcoming our newest member, KGA Architecture. KGA is a Nevada based Professional Corporation founded in 1975.
Infrastructure
It wasn't pretty, but the Texas Senate last week (4/8) gave initial approvals to Sen. John Carona's SB 855, a 'local option' tax measure granting local jurisdictions the right to ask for voter approvals on a laundry list of fees for transportation purposes. For San Antonio, those options were reduced to gasoline tax increases. Third and final reading of them measure goes before the Senate tomorrow, assuming Constitutional issues are resolved. Details here.
Ron Blatchley of College Station has been elected chairman of the Texas State University System Board of Regents. The TSUS is comprised of eight member institutions: Lamar University, Sam Houston State University, Sul Ross State University, Sul Ross State University Rio Grande College, Texas State University-San Marcos, Lamar Institute of Technology, Lamar State College-Orange and Lamar State College-Port Arthur. Chancellor of the System is Charles Matthews. (Details)
Progressive Railroading Magazine is sponsoring a webcast Wednesday, April 22, 12 noon local time that will discuss the Federal Economic Stimulus Package and its impact on freight rail, rail transit, and high speed passenger rail. It's free, but you have to register. Details here.
The San Antonio Mobility Coalition's next Board of Directors meeting is Friday, May 1, from 10:00-11:00 am, at the VIA Metro Center, 1021 San Pedro Ave, Terry Eskridge Community Room.
Trolleys for Kyle? City officials there are studying the purchase of four used electric buses from Mobile, Alabama for about $125,000 - the vehicles could be used for a local trolley system. Details.
Update: Under pressure from Iraq veterans, Hays County commissioners voted unanimously to reverse an earlier decision to award Kellogg, Brown and Root an engineering contract worth $600,000. Details.
After more than 10 years and $37 million in studies, the Lower Colorado River Authority is apparently backing out of a project to provide water in the future for San Antonio, citing higher-than-expected demand for Austin-area growth over the coming decades. Statesman story here.
Economic Development
San Antonio based Broadway Bank is opening two new locations in communities near Austin. The 3,300 sq. ft. Bee Cave location will employ a staff of eight. Dripping Springs bank will be the largest of Broadway’s locations to date at 5,500 sq. ft.
After narrowing its search for expansion space for 500 new jobs to New Braunfels, San Antonio or San Marcos, the Scooter Store has settled on its hometown of New Braunfels. The Scooter Store, already New Braunfel’s largest private employer, has 1,400 employees.
The Alamo City is now home to a new hotel brand. Starwood Hotels & Resorts has opened its first Four Points hotel in San Antonio. To date, Starwood has six hotels open for business in San Antonio – including the Westin Riverwalk downtown and the Westin La Cantera Resort on the city’s Northwest Side.
San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club of Greater San Marcos, Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area and the City of San Marcos are sponsoring a job fair for the community on Thursday, April 23rd from noon until 7 pm. at the San Marcos Activity Center, 501 E. Hopkins Street, San Marcos, TX. For more information contact Cathy Lara at 512-353-0484, or Ryan Branigan at 512-753-3225.
“Credit buying is much like being drunk. The buzz happens immediately and gives you a lift…The hangover comes the day after.”
~ Joyce Brothers