Wichita Falls revitalization plan leads to tax incentives
On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, the city declared its intent to participate in the 'Texas Tax Abatement Program'.
Wichita Falls council lifts Stage One water restrictions
Central Wichita Falls Neighborhood Revitalization Committee chairman Mike Mitchell said this move will create a Neighborhood Empowerment Zone, or NES.
The abatement can be residential or commercial. The move is part of the 'Heart of the Falls' Neighborhood Revitalization Plan.
Mitchell said the tax benefits should encourage people to renovate properties to rebuild neighborhood pride.
'We want to keep the culture. We want to keep the look even in this one area, there's probably a dozen different looks and feels in the different little neighborhoods,' Mitchell said. 'It's an encouragement for me to go ahead and do some fixing up that I'm already looking at doing, but also get some tax benefits as well.'
Mitchell calls this a win for the city as they continue their push to revitalize the area.
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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.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
Business Wire
3 minutes ago
- Business Wire
Power and Portability Meet Toughness. New Use Energy Unveils the Revolutionary 605 SunCase™: Ultra-Portable Power at Just 16 lbs.
ANACORTES, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In direct response to requests from various Special Forces, Military Medical, Drone, and Counter Drone units, New Use Energy Solutions, Inc. (NUE), a leading innovator in ruggedized mobile solar-plus-battery generator systems, today announced the highly anticipated launch of its 605 SunCase™. At an astonishingly light 16 pounds, the 605 SunCase™ is a groundbreaking portable power solution. It's designed for unparalleled mobility and silent operation, delivering robust, reliable power in the toughest conditions. The 605 SunCase™ redefines what's possible in portable power, packing a powerful 550Wh LiFePO4 battery and a 600W pure sine wave inverter into a compact, weather-resistant, fire-retardant, thermoplastic case. Its featherlight design and grab-and-go portability make it an indispensable tool where traditional, heavy, and noisy generators are impractical or prohibited and consumer grade units just don't take the beating. "The 605 SunCase™ is a testament to our commitment to innovation and understanding the critical needs of our users," said Paul Shmotolohka, CEO of New Use Energy. "We've engineered a solution that delivers power without the weight, noise, or heat signature of conventional generators. This unit empowers professionals across diverse fields—from military personnel to cinematographers in remote location to operate with unprecedented freedom and efficiency, ultimately enhancing their capabilities and ensuring mission success." Key Features and Impact of the 605 SunCase™: Ultra-Portable at 16 lbs (7 kg): Its light weight allows for easy transport and deployment in challenging terrains, tight spaces, or rapid-response scenarios, expanding operational possibilities. Silent, Fuel-Free Operation: Unlike gas generators, the 605 SunCase™ operates silently with no emissions or heat signature, making it ideal for stealth operations in electronic warfare, quiet film sets, or indoor use. Rugged & Reliable: Encased in a tough, weather-resistant shell (conforming to IP55), it's built to withstand major shocks, drops, and extreme temperatures, drawing on NUE's proven durability in demanding environments, including war zones. Empowering the Creative: For film and TV production, the 605 SunCase™ liberates lighting and camera crews from the constraints of "bandit cable" and centralized generators for basic equipment charging such as cameras and monitors. Critical Military & Emergency Support: Building on NUE's success in powering over 40 brigades in the US and Ukraine, the 605 SunCase™ is perfectly suited for powering sensitive equipment for drone teams (signal boosters, goggles, monitors), dismounted battlefield intelligence, and critical medical devices (IV pumps, ventilators) where uninterrupted power is non-negotiable. Its rapid 20-millisecond transfer time ensures seamless operation during power fluctuations. Versatile Charging: The 605 SunCase™ features multiple output options (AC, USB-A, USB-C, 12V DC) and can be rapidly recharged via solar (built-in 400W MPPT controller), AC, or vehicle alternators. The launch of the 605 SunCase™ reinforces New Use Energy's commitment to providing cutting-edge, environmentally conscious power solutions that enhance user experience and operational outcomes. It's not just a power station; it's a force multiplier for those who demand the best in portable energy. The new 605 SunCase™ is available for purchase starting September 2025 through New Use Energy's website and authorized dealers. About New Use Energy New Use Energy Solutions, Inc. is an American company leading the development and distribution of proprietary, state-of-the-art, ruggedized mobile solar-plus-battery generator systems. Engineered for the most demanding commercial, industrial, and government applications, NUE delivers clean, renewable, and reliable power wherever it is needed. With a proven track record in military, emergency response, and humanitarian aid, NUE is committed to creating a new generation of energy sources that respond to the challenges of modern times, empowering professionals, communities, and the planet.
Los Angeles Times
2 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
California is too ‘overregulated, expensive, and risky' for Bed Bath & Beyond, chairman says
As Bed Bath & Beyond emerges from a bankruptcy that forced the closure of all its stores, the company's executive chairman took aim at California, saying he refuses to reopen locations in the state. 'California has created one of the most overregulated, expensive, and risky environments for businesses,' Beyond, Inc. executive chairman Marcus Lemonis said in a statement posted on X. 'It's a system that makes it harder to employ people, harder to keep doors open, and harder to deliver value to customers.' The home goods retailer, once common in strip malls and shopping centers, joins a handful of companies that have denounced California's business environment. Some executives say California's high taxes, high cost of living and stringent environmental regulations hinder businesses trying to thrive. Billionaire In-N-Out owner Lynsi Snyder announced her departure from California earlier this summer, saying that doing business and raising a family in the Golden State was 'not easy.' While In-N-Out's corporate headquarters will remain in the state, several high-profile firms have moved their headquarters out in recent years, including Chevron, Tesla, SpaceX and Charles Schwab. Economists say the state is still one of the world's premier tech hubs and has a lot to offer, including a range of industries and a vast talent pool. Still, more companies have been leaving the state than entering since 2015, Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows. After Lemonis disparaged California in his lengthy statement, Gov. Gavin Newsom's press office fired back on X. 'After their bankruptcy and closure of every store, like most Americans, we thought Bed, Bath & Beyond no longer existed,' the post said. 'We wish them well in their efforts to become relevant again.' Bed Bath & Beyond filed for bankruptcy in 2023, after several failed turnaround strategies left the company facing mounting debt. has since bought the company's assets and rebranded as Beyond, Inc. The revamped venture reopened its first store in Nashville earlier this month. Conservative commentator and California gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton said on X he was 'disgusted' by Newsom's 'attack on job-creating businesses.' He recently described California as the 'most hostile business environment in the country.' Lemonis said his decision to keep Bed Bath & Beyond brick-and-mortar locations out of California wasn't about politics. The executive chairman has become a familiar presence on Fox Business Network and once guest-hosted 'The Celebrity Apprentice' alongside future president Donald Trump. California customers will be able to shop for Bed Bath & Beyond products online, Lemonis said.
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
Collaboration is the New Competition: Why Carolyn Pistone Believes Sustainability Demands Working Together
When Carolyn Pistone founded Clear Blue Commercial, Inc., she didn't set out to beat the competition. She only wanted to make a difference. For her, building a company focused on sustainability wasn't to set herself apart or chase a market share, but to leverage business as a force for good. And that, she says, requires a fundamental rethinking of how one needs to approach competition. 'We've all been fed with this idea that business is a zero-sum game,' explains Pistone. 'But this 'me versus you' mindset is short-sighted.' She believes that collaboration, not competition, is the real path forward. 'Sustainability, by definition, is about the long game,' she says. 'But when companies are focused only on short-term gains or quarterly earnings, they miss the forest for the trees. They might win a quarter, but they'll lose the planet.' It's a philosophy she lives by, one that played out as a real-world example when she set out to convert a large property's grass turf into a drought-resistant landscape. The original bid came in at an amount that was far beyond sustainable, both environmentally and financially. But Pistone had a different idea. She approached the landscaping company with a proposition: What if she could source the materials and organize volunteer labor to slash costs? Would they still be willing to partner? The answer was yes. What followed was a day-long transformation of a neglected, line-item property into a vibrant community event. High school students earned volunteer hours. Local bands played. A massage school across the street brought chairs to help relax volunteers. Local businesses donated food and drinks. And the best part: the final expenditure was much less than expected. When the client's finance department later questioned why 'massage chairs' and 'live music' appeared in the landscaping invoice, Pistone showed them the video they had produced. The company was so impressed, they featured it in their annual shareholder meeting. 'This was more than just a landscaping project,' Pistone shares. 'It was community building, environmental stewardship, and a culture change. And we did it by working together.' Pistone's company, with its numerous certifications such as woman-owned, green business, and B Corp, is uniquely positioned to qualify for major contracts, especially those tied to sustainability and equity. However, Pistone acknowledges that as a small business, it doesn't always have the capacity to fulfill some big contracts alone. Meanwhile, large corporations that do have the scale often lack certain certifications needed to qualify. 'Instead of competing, we collaborate,' she says. 'They have the size; we have the credentials. Together, the output is so much better.' A refreshing departure from 'crush the competition,' Pistone truly believes that the outdated mindset is rooted in ego, short-termism, and a transactional view of work. She recalls, 'I saw it in the entertainment industry all the time. Decisions were based on contract lengths and bonuses, not the long-term outcomes. If a choice boosted short-term profits, it did not matter.' However, according to Pistone, sustainability demands a different approach. She says, 'Ask a farmer or a banker if efficient resource usage is good for business. They'll say yes. But getting the farmer and banker to work together on a sustainable project? That's a bigger challenge. But that's also exactly where the opportunity lies.'
