Saturday, June 20, 1998

Economic development town hall meeting

By Doug Williamson / Abilene Reporter-News

Abilene residents will have an opportunity Tuesday to voice their views on the economic development of the city.

The Texas Department of Economic Development will host a town hall meeting from 3-5 p.m. in the conference center of the Abilene Civic Center. Rick Thrasher, TDED executive director, and Tucker Bridwell, a TDED board members and chairman of the Development Corporation of Abilene, will conduct the meeting.

"We are anxious to hear the comments of the people of Abilene regarding the economic needs of our community, the effectiveness of existing trade, tourism development and investment programs and opportunities for the state and city to partner in improving the economic prospects of the city," Bridwell said.

The meeting is geared toward economic development professionals, business and civic leaders and elected officials, all citizens are invited, he said.

New businesses in the Big Country

-- Dr. Rhonna Murray has opened a psychotherapy practice in The Petroleum Center Building, 451 Pine, Suite 110. She holds degrees from Abilene Christian University and the Saybrook Graduate School in San Francisco.

Murray is a licensed professional counselor and a member of the Texas Psychological Association and American Psychological Association.

Her practice includes services for individuals, couples, family and group counseling and psychotherapy, psychological testing, evaluation and diagnosis.

Murray's office phone number is 672-6055.

-- BUFFALO GAP -- Sherri Best has opened Harvest Home Bed and Breakfast, six miles west of Buffalo Gap on Farm-to-Market Road 89.

The home is a 194-year-old log grain bran from Kentucky. It was hand-hewn of poplar trees. In 1997, a restoration crew brought it to Fredricksburg, and then dismantled it again and moved it to Buffalo Gap in March. It is a one-and-a-half story, 20-by-20 log structure.

The bed and breakfast features the historic home with kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and sitting area with fireplace, central air and central heat. A full continental breakfast is sered.

Reservations are available at (915) 572-4381. Cost on Fridays and Saturdays is $110 a night. Price Sunday-Thursday is $95 a night.

-- BALLINGER -- Porter Henderson Implement Co., founded in San Angelo in 1943, has opened a new, almost 11,000-square-foot facility at 8361 U.S. Hwy. 67 here. The business was forced to build a new facility after its former landlord sold the building near downtown that it had occupied since opening here in 1989.

General manager is John Lange who was recently named Runnels County AgriBusinessman of the Year. The business employs nine in Ballinger and sells and services John Deere tractors and implements, as well as lawn and garden equipment.

-- BRECKENRIDGE -- Texas ISP, Inc. has opened at 123 S. Breckenridge Ave. as one of Breckenridge's newest businesses.

The firm offers direct "T-1" Internet connections for Breckenridge. Owners are Coda and Van Riley and Joe D. and Debbie Poynor. Phone number is 559-8638.

-- BIG SPRING -- Dr. Michael David Stephens has opened an office for family practice in the Scenic Mountain Multi-Specialty Clinic, 1605 West 11th Place. Telephone number is 264-1100.

-- EASTLAND -- A combination Exxon Service Station/Burger King is now open for business at 3001 Interstate 20, next to Pulido's restaurant. The new business is also a convenience store. Hours are 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday-Sunday. The telephone number is (254) 629-3376.

The manager of the Burger King is Lisa Watkins. The station and convenience store are being managed by Kathy Sanders.

-- BALLINGER -- Coleman natives and business owners Jerry and Denise McDonald have opened a second western wear store. The McDonalds' newest venture is JM Western Wear at 1921 Hutchings Ave. here. The 2,500-square-foot store recently celebrated its grand opening in the former Accent Window Tinting building.

The couple has operated JM Western Wear in Coleman since 1991. They also raise registered boer goats at the High Lonesome Ranch.

Ballinger's only western wear store is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. McDonald said he opted to locate the business just off U.S. Hwy. 67 instead of downtown to make it more convenient for customers who drive farm and ranch vehicles and often are pulling trailers.

-- SWEETWATER -- Palais Royal, a division of Bealls Department Store, is now open at 1102 E. Broadway in the Nolan County Plaza. Debra Boyd is manager.

-- SWEETWATER -- Carpet Store & More has opened at 1105 E. Broadway. Owners are Ken and Peggy Lofton.

Help getting a job

Project WorkSight, a short-term job-readiness program of the West Central Texas Council of Government, will have an orientation workshop June 30 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at 221 Oak.

The program is recruiting participants for the Spring 1998 session. It offers:

-- Assistance in locating a permanent job, including which job field would be best for an individual.

-- Work in adult basic education toward attainment of the GED.

-- Personal, individualized support and consultations.

-- Training in community leadership, citizenship, employability skills, basic computer skills and community service.

Applicants must be 17-21 years of age, available to attend training on a full-time basis for 6-10 weeks, not be attending school or college and serious about making lifestyle changes and getting a job.

For more information on this Job Training Partnership Act-funded program, call 672-1624.

Doug Williamson can be reached at 676-6707 or williamsond@abinews.com.