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Car dealerships around Galveston County are rebounding from severe losses during Hurricane Harvey as consumers seek to replace storm-damaged cars.
It’s been almost a month since Hurricane Harvey paid us an unwelcome visit. And though I can’t say that I personally know what it’s like to pitch most of my belongings to the curb and gut my home, I can only imagine that if I were faced with that task I’d be in the mood for a break by now.
Collateral damage: If there’s a theme to this week’s column, it’s that bankers are taking legal measures to recover loans made on developments and ventures that were once big Buzz items.
ZIPped lips: On paper, it’s the kind of high-tech industry League City officials have dreamed about and one they would certainly want to trumpet loudly. But on June 30, when California-based software company AccuZIP announced it would move its corporate headquarters to League City, creating …
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Hurricane Harvey prevented some Del Papa Distributing Co. employees from making it to the warehouse, but the Texas City beer distributor still had work to do and orders to fill.
The Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted its second annual George P. Mitchell Regional Entrepreneurs of the Year awards ceremony Friday at the Galveston Island Convention Center at the San Luis Resort.
Restricted funds, grants, local matches, HOT tax — these terms can seem like a foreign language sometimes. Luckily, here at the park board we have a hardworking finance committee, led by a knowledgeable and experienced comptroller, to make sense of our organization’s operating budget.
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Hurricane Harvey has caused a run on short-term rental properties and delays in many sales transactions, but area Realtors are optimistic the market will stabilize in longer term.
Change of address: The name of the game last week for Hurricane Harvey-flooded businesses was to get back up and running as quickly as possible, boosting commercial leasing activity as many sought new retail and office space.
Comite de Negocios, the Hispanic Business Task Force of the Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce, will host Fiestas Patrias, a free family event, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Saengerfet Park, 2302 Strand St.
I will venture to say that when organizations put together their crisis communications plans, they hope that they won’t have to use them. Now that the Hurricane Harvey crisis is largely behind us here in Galveston, I must say, I’m glad the Galveston Island Convention and Visitors Bureau had …
Whether it was by flooding, displaced employees, power, fuel and supply disruptions or curfews, Hurricane Harvey affected businesses across the county — some obviously more than others. In the middle of their own storm recovery efforts — personal and professional — many business owners were …
Erratic, potent Hurricane Harvey slowed down Galveston County’s economic engine, but failed to shut it down, leaders of mainland chambers of commerce said.
The Hitchcock Chamber of Commerce named Kristen Ivey as its interim executive director on Wednesday.
Increasingly severe weather and aging infrastructure are exposing Americans to longer power outages.
Since 1845, the mission of the Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce has remained steadfast to promote and advocate for business and community development. The 2017 legislative agenda of the chamber’s legislative affairs and advocacy committees closely monitored the current legislative sess…
Trash on the beach is never pretty. But thanks to a local art project, the island’s beachside trash receptacles will become a lot more pleasing to look at.
This summer, I was so excited to see the charming and colorful red and green trolley buses make their way throughout the island’s thoroughfares. A preview of the traditional rail trolleys that are expected to return next year, this summer’s service was a result of collaboration between the c…
DEAR BRUCE: I am an 89-year-old male with an 85-year-old spouse. We have a Medicare supplemental that costs us $3,984 a year in premiums to pay for the 20 percent that Medicare doesn't cover. This cost is getting a little high for our income. We are considering canceling the policy, putting …
What’s that? Inquiring readers are wondering about that building rising on stilts along FM 2004, not far from Gulf Greyhound Park in La Marque. The building is for a clubhouse at what will be Big Spot RV Resort, 4313 FM 2004, said Colleen Merritt, a spokeswoman for La Marque Economic Develop…
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Plot thickens: An unconfirmed but credible rumor is circulating that one of the nation’s oldest and most prolific development firms has acquired an 11.39-acre island parcel from Lowe’s Home Improvement and is making offers for surrounding tracts. Sources report that Dallas-based Trammell Cro…
Wood wins the prize as America’s favorite hard-surface flooring type, outselling vinyl, porcelain tile and every other option, according to market-research firm Mintel’s 2016 report on residential flooring.
DEAR BRUCE: I contacted a real estate agent to sell my condo. He already had a buyer and sold the property without placing it on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS).
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NASA has notified Ad Astra Rocket Co. that the agency is picking up the final year of a three-year contract under which the Webster-based startup is developing next-generation space propulsion.
We buy homeowners insurance to protect against the high drama of our greatest fears: tornadoes ripping off the roof, fire racing up the stairs or floodwaters lapping at the front porch. But in reality, the worst rarely happens.
DEAR BRUCE: Can you explain to me what a federal gift exemption is? — Gina
Fertitta feat: Island-born billionaire Tilman Fertitta has prevailed in his bid for the bankrupt Ignite Restaurant Group, the parent company of Joe’s Crab Shack and Brick House Tavern + Tap, according to reports.
At the start of each fiscal year, the Galveston Island Convention and Visitors Bureau sets ambitious goals for its sales team. This year, the team achieved and exceeded expectations two months before the deadline.
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A Santa Fe man spent the last year inventing a product that aims to make trailer hitches safer.
Roll blocks: North county sushi lovers are mourning the closure of 20-year-old Kemah eatery Ichibon Japanese Seafood, 406 Texas Ave.
Americans love to drive. More than 75 percent of adults carry a driver’s license, including 40 million who are 65 and older, according to Consumer Reports.
Patrick F. Doyle has been elected to Texas First Bank’s board of directors, Matthew T. Doyle, chairman of the board, announced last week.
Investors in tax sale properties can get notifications about sheriff’s sales by signing up for the Interested Buyer Notification Program, according to the Galveston County Tax Office.
Moody National Bank has named James C. “Jimmy” Allen executive vice president and chief operating officer, Victor Pierson, president and CEO said.
If you’re like me, when friends or family come to visit, you want to show them all the fun things to do and see on the island. Thanks to the Island Pass, seeing and doing many of those fun things can cost a lot less.
DEAR BRUCE: I am a 74-year-old widow who is very independent. The balance on my mortgage is about $141,000, and I pay $740 plus $240 HOA fees a month. I have about $100,000 in equity in my condo. I also currently have $50,000 in a checking account earning 1.5 percent yearly and $20,000 in an…
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Island residential sales rose 14 percent in the first six months in nearly every section of the city, showing particular strength in West End lots where aging inventory is inspiring plans for new homes.
Historic deal? An old island company has closed its doors and readers are buzzing about who’s buying the building it long occupied.
Given all the new gas grill styles and features, it just might be time for you to ditch your old flame, says Consumer Reports.
DEAR BRUCE: I want to purchase a new car in the coming months. I have been saving for a while toward a down payment of at least $2,000 for a pre-owned post-2014 model.
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Steak out: Texas City readers hungry for Golden Corral to open in the building formerly occupied by Ryan’s might have to curb their appetites. A manager answering the phones at the island Golden Corral on Thursday said the Searcy family, which owns Golden Corral restaurants in Galveston and …
Popcorn has the crunchy, salty appeal of chips or pretzels, but you can have 3 cups of the air-popped snack for slightly fewer calories than you’ll find in one sourdough pretzel.
Live from Park Board Plaza! It’s the Park Board of Trustees regular meetings!
DEAR BRUCE: How can my mom revoke a limited power of attorney? She has no money to get a lawyer. — E.R.
Building buy: A long vacant building on a highly visible parcel in Galveston has a new owner and soon will have new tenants and a fresh look. Members of the island’s Sullivan family have acquired the 73,801-square-foot Del Papa Distributing Co. complex, 6702 Broadway, with plans to consolida…
The executive director of a recently formed maritime business group hopes his organization can influence decision-makers on a variety of issues, especially a controversial plan for dealing with toxic waste pits near the Houston Ship Channel.
More than 212,000 adults and half a million children were accidentally poisoned by prescription and over-the-counter medication during 2015. Having a medicine cabinet packed with unsecured pills on every shelf is a big risk: It makes it too easy for you to grab the wrong meds or for anyone i…
The Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce Workforce Development Task Force is pleased to announce Stephen Freeman, founder and CEO of Playsmint LLC, as the keynote speaker at the Workforce Development Breakfast set for 7:30 a.m. July 25 in the ballroom at the San Luis Hotel, 5222 Seawall Bl…
DEAR BRUCE: I worked for a large company for 19 years in sales. I was the top producer for the past 10 years. Within a week’s time, they removed me from my largest account, asked me to cover an area they have struggled in, removed the salesman from that account and gave him my territory. Whe…
With 32 miles of coastline, there are quite a few options for those looking to soak their feet into the sand and play on Galveston’s shores. But, the reality is, all beaches are not created equal. Some are just flat out more fun!
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