If you tried to catch up on your sleep last week, you quickly found out that it wasn’t the week to expect quiet.
Your Chamber watched and cheered as Abilene, Texas again became nationally noteworthy for the great work of the people of this community, namely our partners at the Development Corporation of Abilene, their volunteer Board of Directors, our elected officials at all levels, and those who work quietly behind the scenes to add to the readiness and impact of such big news.
While the Lancium project wasn’t necessarily new news, the forward-thinking vision of those who enabled that project back in 2022 positioned our community in a way that we had not necessarily seen in some time. There’s no doubt that this project, and projects like it, will impact Abilene’s economic evolution in untold and positive ways.
We’re accustomed to our Military Affairs Committee’s efforts to support the mission, the airmen, and their families of Dyess Air Force Base and we were especially proud to see our local Gordon Storey and the Dyess We Care Team featured last year as a CNN 2024 Hero.
We also know that the work and vision of the ACU molten salt reactor project is bringing acclaim to our community in multiple ways. Aside from our local community getting behind the effort, I’m seeing and hearing this significant initiative talked about just about everywhere I go.
And these are just a few examples.
So, what does all this mean?
It means that not only is Abilene doing the right things, but the world is noticing. And as you have read on this page many times before, ensuring that Abilene, Texas is prepared and working to put its best foot forward at all times to support these opportunities is job one for the Chamber and its operating divisions.
Not only is the Chamber laser-focused on advocating for public policy that adds to our already well-known reputation as a great place to do business, but our Regional Growth Alliance is working hard, with the support of its private sector leaders.
Fox News recently ranked the top three states in the US for business – the top three being Texas, Ohio, and North Carolina. I’ve had the privilege of working in this field in all three of those top three, and they got the list – and its order – right. Texas is number one for business, because of those who work hard every day to make it so.
Texas makes it easy for entrepreneurs to succeed, and while Abilene and the Big Country aren’t a large metropolis, we do have things going for us like a low cost of living, readily available intellectual and expert resources and an environment where people want business and other people to succeed.
I am proud to represent Abilene, Taylor County and Big Country businesses as an officer of the Texas Association of Business, the State Chamber of Texas. And I’m proud to serve as the 2025 Chair of the Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives association, representing the interests of Chambers across Texas. These opportunities allow us to ensure that the successes of Abilene, Texas are amplified, and that relationships are forged to ensure that we collectively leverage these opportunities for the benefit of all.
I invite you to join the Chamber and to engage in the exciting work that’s underway, work that most people think “just happens” in a community.
Onward!