Brownwood designated as a Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community
Abilene designated as 2nd Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community
Governor Abbott, Travel Texas Director Tim Fennell, Senator Phil King, Representative David Spiller, Mayor Stephen E. Haynes, and City of Brownwood Economic Development and Tourism Division Director Ray Tipton spoke about the significance of this achievement for Brownwood in a press release:
'Travelers to and within Texas generates more than $193 billion in annual economic impact and support 1.3 million jobs across the state. Every region of this great state offers endless opportunities to experience the natural beauty, rich history, and true Texas hospitality that draws visitors to our communities. I congratulate the City of Brownwood and Visit Brownwood on earning this designation. All Texas communities are encouraged to apply to become a Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community to further grow local tourism and jobs across our great state', said Governor Abbott.
'In Brownwood, visitors find a destination where Texas flavors, outdoor adventure, and small-town appeal come together,' said Travel Texas Director Fennell. 'Whether dining in a restored train car, paddling along the Pecan Bayou, or catching a show in a beautifully preserved 1920s theatre, Brownwood offers an eclectic mix of experiences. This designation as a Tourism Friendly Texas Community recognizes the city's dedication to making every visit feel like home.'
Tourism brings $555 million to Abilene
'Brownwood is a welcoming city that offers plenty of outdoor activities and a flourishing downtown district, providing the perfect mix of historical sites and modern attractions. I am excited to see how the Tourism Friendly Texas designation will bring more engagement to this wonderful part of Senate District 10,' said Senator Phil King.
'Brownwood is a welcoming city that offers plenty of outdoor activities and a flourishing downtown district, providing the perfect mix of historical sites and modern attractions. I am excited to see how the Tourism Friendly Texas designation will bring more engagement to this wonderful part of Senate District 10,' said Senator Phil King.
'This certification reflects the dedication of our staff, businesses, and community partners in making Brownwood a welcoming home for visitors. Tourism plays a vital role in our community, supporting local businesses and enhancing both the visitor and resident experience,' said City of Brownwood Economic Development and Tourism Division Director Ray Tipton.
'Brownwood is more than just a place to visit; it's a community that welcomes you with open arms,' said Mayor Stephen E. Haynes. 'From our rich history to our genuine hospitality, we invite travelers to explore all the elements that make Brownwood feel like home. Whether you're enjoying the waters of Lake Brownwood, discovering our charming downtown, or participating in our local events, you'll find that you are never just a visitor in Brownwood.'
Texas Governor Greg Abbott endorses Stan Lambert for re-election to House District 71
The Tourism Friendly Texas Community program is open to local governments or non-profit organizations that serve as the lead entity for tourism promotion and development efforts. Benefits of the designation for tourism entities seeking certification on behalf of their community include the opportunity to strengthen or establish relationships important for tourism development, educate local leaders on the importance of tourism to the state, identify and prioritize locally driven strategies, and learn more about opportunities provided by Travel Texas and other state government programs available to support both communities and the travel and tourism industry. For more information on the Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community program, visit: gov.texas.gov/tourism-friendly-texas
The mission of Travel Texas in the Governor's Office of Economic Development & Tourism is to enhance and extend local economic development efforts by marketing Texas as a premier travel destination in out-of-state and international markets, generating non-Texan travel to Texas, and creating revenue and jobs for local communities and the state.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
an hour ago
- Associated Press
Industrias Unidas, S.A. de C.V. Consolidated Results of Operations for Q2 2025
MEXICO CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug 20, 2025-- Industrias Unidas, S.A. de C.V. ('IUSA' or the 'Company') has announced its unaudited results for the six months ended June 30 of 2025. Figures are unaudited and have been prepared in accordance with Mexican Financial Reporting Standards ('MFRS'), which are different in certain respects from Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States ('U.S. GAAP'). The results from any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for a full fiscal year. Unless stated otherwise, reference herein to 'Pesos', 'pesos', or 'Ps.' are to pesos, the legal currency of Mexico and references to 'U.S. dollars', 'dollars', 'U.S. $' or '$' are to United States dollars, the legal currency of the United States of America. Except as otherwise indicated, all peso amounts are presented herein in pesos with purchasing power as of June 30, 2025, and in pesos with their historical value for other dates cited. The dollar translations provided in this document are calculated solely for the convenience of the reader using an exchange rate of Ps. 18.77 per U.S. dollar, the exchange rate published by Banco de Mexico, the country's central bank, on June 30, 2025. Six months ended June 30, 2025, compared to six months ended June 30, 2024. The following table summarizes our results of operations for the six months ending June 30, 2025, and 2024: Our consolidated net income for the six months ending June 30, 2025, was Ps.1,978.9 million (US$105.5 million), compared to a net income of Ps.1,080.2 million in the same period of 2024. This change is primarily due to an increase in sales and price of copper. Revenues Our net revenues for the six months of 2025 increased 19.9% to Ps.17,120.9 million (US$912.4 million) from Ps.14,282.8 million in the same period of 2024. This increase was driven mainly by market conditions, and the increase in copper prices which affect directly our final selling price in our copper products segment. Our costs and revenues follow copper prices very closely since the market practice is to pass on to the buyer changes in raw material prices. Our sales are primarily for customers engaged in commercial, industrial and residential construction, and their related maintenance and renovation activities. We also sell to customers engaged in electrical power generation, transmission and distribution and to the sectors of gas, water and air conduction in Heating, Ventilation, Air conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR). Our revenues consist mainly of sales of copper-based products (tubing, wire, cable and alloys) and electrical products. By country of production, approximately 60.7% of our revenues in the six months ended June 30, 2025, came from products manufactured in Mexico and the remaining 39.3% from products manufactured in the U.S. In terms of sales by region during the six months ended June 30, 2025, we derived approximately 45.0% of our revenues from sales to customers in the United States, 52.1% from customers in Mexico and 2.9% from the rest of the world ('ROW'). Cost of sales Our cost of sales in the six months ended June 30, 2025, increased by 20.6% to Ps.13,109.2 million (US$698.6 million) from Ps.10,869.0 million in the same period of 2024. As a percentage of revenues, the cost of sales was 76.6% and 76.1% respectively. We reduce our cost base through several initiatives, including plant scheduling, raw material handling, and overall manufacturing overhead costs. According to our accounting policies, we make an inventory valuation at an average purchase price. In the case of copper cathodes, an aftermath adjustment is required due to the quotation period agreed with the suppliers (M+1). This initiative allows us to hedge purchases for 30 days at no additional cost. The adjustment is recorded to the cost of sales in the month in which it occurs. Gross Profit Our gross profit in the six months ended June 30, 2025, increased 17.5% to Ps.4,011.7 million (US$213.8 million) from Ps.3,413.8 million in the same period of 2024. As a percentage of sales, gross profit in 2025 was 23.4% vs 23.9% in 2024. Selling and Administrative Expenses Our sales and administrative expenses in the six months ended June 30, 2025, increased 11.6% to Ps.1,634.2 million from Ps.1,464.9 in the same period of 2024. Operating Income Our operating income in the six months ended June 30, 2025, increased 22.0% to Ps.2,377.6 million (U.S. $126.7 million) from an operating income of Ps.1,948.9 in the same period of 2024. EBITDA In the six months ending June 30, 2025, our EBITDA increased 20.7% to Ps.2,534.5 million (or US$135.1 million), from Ps.2,100.6 million in the same period of 2024. The corresponding depreciation and amortization figures are Ps.156.9 million for January to June 2025 and Ps.151.7 million for the same period of 2024. Comprehensive Financing Result The following table shows our comprehensive financing results for the six months ending June 30, 2025, and 2024: Our comprehensive financing result in the six months ending June 30, 2025, was an expense of Ps.372.0 million, compared to Ps.(343.0) million in the same period of 2024. Taxes and Statutory Employee Profit Sharing The provision for current and deferred income taxes and statutory employee profit sharing in the six months ended June 30, 2025, was an expense of Ps.803.0 million compared to an expense of Ps.465.4 million in the same period of 2024. Consolidated Net Income Our consolidated net income for the six months ending June 30, 2025, was Ps.1,978.9 million (US$105.5 million), compared to a net income of Ps.1,080.2 million in the same period of 2024. Liquidity and Capital Resources Liquidity As of June 30, 2025, we had cash and cash equivalents for Ps.4,607.3 million (U.S.$245.5 million). Our policy is to invest available cash in short-term instruments issued by Mexican and U.S. banks as well as in securities issued by the governments of Mexico and the U.S. Our cash flow from operations and operating margins are significantly influenced by world market prices for raw copper, as quoted by COMEX and the London Metal Exchange ('LME'). Copper prices are subject to significant market fluctuations; average copper prices increased 10.5% in the six months ending June 30, 2025, to $4.65 US dollars per pound from $4.21 US dollar per pound in the same period of 2024. We obtain short-term financing from various sources, including Mexican and international banks. Short-term financing consists in part of lines of credit denominated in pesos and dollars. As of June 30, 2025, our outstanding short-term debt, including the current portion of long-term debt totaled Ps.484.6 million (U.S.$25.8 million), all of which was dollar denominated. On the same date, our outstanding consolidated long-term debt, excluding current portion thereof, totaled Ps. 3,655.7 million (U.S.$194.8 million), all of which was dollar denominated. Accounts receivable from third parties as of June 30, 2025, were Ps.5,638.9 million (U.S.$300.5 million). Days outstanding in the domestic market were 30 days as of June 30, 2025. Debt Obligations The following table summarizes our debt as of June 30, 2025: This total includes the restructured debt of the Company. Capital Expenditures For the six months ended June 30, 2025, we invested Ps.226.4 million (U.S.$12.0 million) in capital expenditure projects, mainly related to expansion of production and maintenance. In the six months ending June 30, 2025, our capital expenditure was allocated by segments as follows: 62.0% to copper tubing, 9.3% to wire and cable, 14.7% to valves and controls, 2.4% to electrical products and the remaining and 11.6% to other divisions. By geographic region 39.6% of total capital expenditures were invested in our Mexican facilities and the remaining 60.4% in the U.S. You should read this document in conjunction with the unaudited consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2025, including the notes to those statements. View source version on CONTACT: Francisco Rodriguez [email protected] Tel. 5255 5216 4028 KEYWORD: LATIN AMERICA NORTH AMERICA UNITED STATES MEXICO CENTRAL AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ENGINEERING OTHER MANUFACTURING MANUFACTURING STEEL SOURCE: Industrias Unidas, S.A. de C.V. Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 08/20/2025 12:11 PM/DISC: 08/20/2025 12:11 PM
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Should You Invest in Abbott (ABT) Based on Bullish Wall Street Views?
Investors often turn to recommendations made by Wall Street analysts before making a Buy, Sell, or Hold decision about a stock. While media reports about rating changes by these brokerage-firm employed (or sell-side) analysts often affect a stock's price, do they really matter? Let's take a look at what these Wall Street heavyweights have to say about Abbott (ABT) before we discuss the reliability of brokerage recommendations and how to use them to your advantage. Abbott currently has an average brokerage recommendation (ABR) of 1.46, on a scale of 1 to 5 (Strong Buy to Strong Sell), calculated based on the actual recommendations (Buy, Hold, Sell, etc.) made by 26 brokerage firms. An ABR of 1.46 approximates between Strong Buy and Buy. Of the 26 recommendations that derive the current ABR, 19 are Strong Buy and two are Buy. Strong Buy and Buy respectively account for 73.1% and 7.7% of all recommendations. Brokerage Recommendation Trends for ABT Check price target & stock forecast for Abbott here>>> The ABR suggests buying Abbott, but making an investment decision solely on the basis of this information might not be a good idea. According to several studies, brokerage recommendations have little to no success guiding investors to choose stocks with the most potential for price appreciation. Are you wondering why? The vested interest of brokerage firms in a stock they cover often results in a strong positive bias of their analysts in rating it. Our research shows that for every "Strong Sell" recommendation, brokerage firms assign five "Strong Buy" recommendations. In other words, their interests aren't always aligned with retail investors, rarely indicating where the price of a stock could actually be heading. Therefore, the best use of this information could be validating your own research or an indicator that has proven to be highly successful in predicting a stock's price movement. Zacks Rank, our proprietary stock rating tool with an impressive externally audited track record, categorizes stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), and is an effective indicator of a stock's price performance in the near future. Therefore, using the ABR to validate the Zacks Rank could be an efficient way of making a profitable investment decision. Zacks Rank Should Not Be Confused With ABR Although both Zacks Rank and ABR are displayed in a range of 1--5, they are different measures altogether. Broker recommendations are the sole basis for calculating the ABR, which is typically displayed in decimals (such as 1.28). The Zacks Rank, on the other hand, is a quantitative model designed to harness the power of earnings estimate revisions. It is displayed in whole numbers -- 1 to 5. It has been and continues to be the case that analysts employed by brokerage firms are overly optimistic with their recommendations. Because of their employers' vested interests, these analysts issue more favorable ratings than their research would support, misguiding investors far more often than helping them. On the other hand, earnings estimate revisions are at the core of the Zacks Rank. And empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements. In addition, the different Zacks Rank grades are applied proportionately to all stocks for which brokerage analysts provide current-year earnings estimates. In other words, this tool always maintains a balance among its five ranks. There is also a key difference between the ABR and Zacks Rank when it comes to freshness. When you look at the ABR, it may not be up-to-date. Nonetheless, since brokerage analysts constantly revise their earnings estimates to reflect changing business trends, and their actions get reflected in the Zacks Rank quickly enough, it is always timely in predicting future stock prices. Is ABT Worth Investing In? In terms of earnings estimate revisions for Abbott, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has remained unchanged over the past month at $5.15. Analysts' steady views regarding the company's earnings prospects, as indicated by an unchanged consensus estimate, could be a legitimate reason for the stock to perform in line with the broader market in the near term. The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for Abbott. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> It may therefore be prudent to be a little cautious with the Buy-equivalent ABR for Abbott. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Abbott Laboratories (ABT) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Abbott signs bills to improve housing affordability
(The Center Square) – Multiple bills addressing housing affordability become law Sept. 1. Gov. Greg Abbott signed the bills in June but ceremoniously signed them this week to highlight what the legislature accomplished during the regular legislative session this year. 'The shortage of housing has increased the cost of living and has put the dream of home ownership out of the reach for far too many Texans,' Abbott said at a ceremony in Austin. 'This session, Texas did more than any state in America to make housing more affordable. … We are going to take every step necessary to improve housing supply and improve affordability of housing.' SB 15, filed by Republican state Sen. Paul Bettencourt and state Rep. Gary Gates, prohibits cities from requiring unreasonably large lot sizes to build homes on five-acre-plus unplatted tracts of land, allowing for smaller and denser development. It prohibits municipalities from implementing a range of requirements for small lots, including parking and ceiling height requirements, among many others. It 'cuts local red tape that hinders housing construction and will increase housing supply and bring down the cost of housing,' Abbott said. 'Texas has become the job creation nexus of the country,' Bettencourt said. 'To follow along with housing affordability is simply just a continuation of the obvious. Because all these people coming to Texas, many of them coming from California, will have to have a place to live, so they can work here in the great state of Texas. 'The problem is really simple. We've got 340,000 units that we need to build and we're not going to wait around like California [whose leaders] drive their people away to other states. No, we want everyone to come and work in Texas and have a place to live.' Bettencourt said the regular legislative session was 'a fabulous session for everyone' because of these bills and another half a dozen more, which 'represent the greatest number of bills passed on housing affordability in the country's history before there was a crisis.' Unlike California, Bettencourt said, Texas is 'getting out and ahead of the problem. We're ahead of the problem in housing affordability. We even see it in tax policy, where in November, we're going to have I think tremendously positive votes for homeowner exemptions,' he said, referring to a ballot initiative to reduce property taxes. SB 840, filed by Republicans state Sen. Bryan Hughes and state Rep. Cole Hefner, allows for mixed-use and multifamily development in areas currently zoned for office, retail, or warehouse, to facilitate the immediate development of more housing in large cities. It also prohibits cities from adopting certain fees and requirements and removes bureaucratic or costly barriers for development in these areas. 'Many local governments make it too slow and too expensive to build more housing,' Abbott said. The new law 'slashes regulations and speeds up the permitting process.' 'The American dream of home ownership, we cannot let that be out of reach of Texans,' Hughes said. 'Many states have seen this happen,' he said, also referring to California. 'The Lord is not making any more land, so there's already a supply and demand problem,' he added. 'But we cannot add to that local governments making it harder and harder to develop.' The new law 'fixes an archaic law that makes it hard to develop property,' Hughes continued. 'If there's an existing office development, retail high-rise offices, they're just sitting there empty, those could be converted to housing. Right now, you have to go through the process of rezoning, which is expensive, time-consuming, complicated. Everybody knows when we add those regulations, and add those expenses, and those delays, it raises the cost of housing and prices Texas families out of the market.' HB 24, filed by Republicans state Reps. Angie Orr and Sen. Hughes, reforms an outdated valid petition process, referred to as the 'tyrant's veto.' The new law will make it easier for zoning changes to allow more residential development, thereby increasing supply, density, and affordability. It's 'central to increasing housing supply and affordability. It makes it easier to get approval to build more housing,' Abbott said. Orr said the bill 'addressed a 100-year-old mandate that was outdated. It got in the way of housing development and increased the cost of new construction. I'm really happy that we were able to get that through the through the Senate and the House.' The new laws represent 'a huge step to make the American dream and affordable housing a reality in the great state of Texas,' Abbott said. Solve the daily Crossword
