TFCP In The News

Panola County Rates with Retirees!

Panola County has what it takes to attract and retain retirees. The State of Texas recently gave the county its "seal of approval" - designating it a GO TEXAN Certified Retirement Community (CRC).

Panola County is the 14th community to receive this sought-after designation issued by the State Department of Agriculture. Ag Commissioner Todd Staples applauded the county's citizens and leaders for achieving the designation and reminded them that, "retirees can have a significant economic impact on retirement areas as well as provide a wealth of knowledge and energy for community service, employment and business." The certification lets retirees know the community has the infrastructure, support services, medical care and quality of life that they seek.

Panola County joins its Texas Forest Country neighbors that have already received the CRC designation: Lufkin, Nacogdoches County, Shelby County and San Augustine County.

Texas Forest Country Partnership Hires New President

Charlie Dromgoole, current President of the Round Rock Chamber of Commerce, has been hired as President of the Texas Forest Country Partnership. He will begin his new responsibilities on Monday, July 21, 2008.

As President of the Chamber, Dromgoole has enhanced the programming and established the Round Rock Economic Development Partnership with the City of Round Rock and more than doubled Chamber funding. Dromgoole's leadership and the partnership between these two entities, led to embarking on legislative issues and education initiatives. "When Charlie Dromgoole came to Round Rock, he was the right guy at the right time," said Board Chairman Steve Laukhuf. "He has done a tremendous job with the Chamber. With him leaving it's going to be hard trying to fill that void. He'll be missed. We wish him and his wife Marilyn success," said Laukhuf. "He has established a sound Chamber program for Round Rock and has been instrumental in maintaining a good business climate in our community."

In addition, he assisted in the lobbying efforts in the location of the Round Rock Higher Education Center, Austin Community College and Texas A&M Health Science Center College of medicine in Round Rock. Dromgoole also helped form the Greater Round Rock Community Foundation; a tax-exempt public charity that enables people to establish charitable funds in the Round Rock community.

The East Texas native has served on the boards of Greater Round Rock Community Foundation, YMCA of Williamson County, Round Rock ISD Foundation and was a member of the Round Rock Noon Rotary Club during his time at the Chamber.

Prior to coming to Round Rock, Dromgoole was President of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce for 14 years. He also worked for the chambers of commerce in Jackson, Tennessee, Sherman, Port Arthur and Brenham, Texas. He is a graduate of Texas A&M University. His wife, Marilyn, is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin University and teaches eighth grade English in Round Rock.

"We are looking forward to adding Charlie's experience, education and network to our strong board membership as a unified voice for the growth and development of the Texas Forest Country. We have several initiatives that will benefit from his leadership," stated Sue Kennedy, chairman of the TFCP Board of Directors. "Charlie was recommended by unanimous vote by our search committee headed by Center Mayor John Windham, TFCP Chairman-elect."

"After 34 years in the Chamber of Commerce profession, it is time to make a change," stated Dromgoole. "The Texas Forest Country Partnership position will allow me to utilize the skills, abilities and contacts that I have developed across the years and return to East Texas."

A Lifetime Giver Receives a "Bucket" of Appreciation

A life-time giver who "sets the standard for giving" receives a "bucket" of appreciation. First Bank and Trust's Jay Shands (pictured right) presented Murphy George of Lufkin (left) with the annual Silver Bucket Award at the Parternship's Annual Banquet on March 25th. In announcing the recipient, Shands said George has spent his lifetime giving of his time and talents to projects that enhanced the lives of East Texans especially those with mental illness, mental retardation and addiction. The Boys and Girls Club and the Salvation Army are just two of the many organizations that have benefited from his passion. George shared the night with Jim "Mattress Mac" McIngvale of Houston who recounted his success story. McInvale encouraged Texas Forest Country supporters to maintain their cooperative spirit and passion for getting things done as they will lead to the continued success of the region in its retirement and economic development efforts.

TFC Partnership Welcomes Panola County

Carthage, TX – The Texas Forest Country Partnership hosted a luncheon today to officially welcome the residents of Panola County into their organization. The luncheon was held at the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame and was well attended by numerous public officials, community leaders, business owners and interested citizens.

Panola County is the first county to be added to the Partnership since 1965. "We are so proud to have Panola County joining us as a member county," said Trent Ashby, President of the Texas Forest Country Partnership. "I think having Panola County working and dialoguing with other East Texas counties about how we can work together to stimulate our regional economy is going to have a very positive impact. I am confident that the synergy created from this partnership will serve our region and Panola County well."

At the luncheon, a overview of the TEXAS FOREST COUNTRY marketing campaign was given by Jane Ainsworth and Sally Alvis, the principals of the firm Ainsworth/Alvis. David Alders, TFCP Board Chairman, presented a certificate of membership to County Judge David Anderson. Alders also announced that Anderson and Charles Thomas had been added to the TFCP Board as representatives from Panola County. The Board meets quarterly in different locations across the region.

PEP Changes Its Name to TFCP

The Board of Directors of the Texas Forest Country Partnership, formerly known as the Pineywoods Economic Partnership (PEP), is pleased to announce a number of exciting changes to our organization. We are grateful for your ongoing support as we endeavor to foster a spirit of regional cooperation and development.

As mentioned above, PEP is now the Texas Forest Country Partnership. In order to reflect the overwhelming support and interest shown across both the region and the state towards our Texas Forest Country marketing campaign, the Board felt strongly that we should alter our name to capitalize on the momentum and synergy of this initiative. As evidenced by the dozens of chambers of commerce, local government officials, businesses, media outlets and individuals who are using the Texas Forest Country moniker, we are excited about this opportunity and what this means for our ability to stimulate regional economic growth.

Secondly, the TFCP is growing and expanding our regional boundary. Due to a strong interest from other rural counties on our periphery, our Board has decided to interview and analyze counties individually to determine mutual interest and suitability. Panola County was particularly interested in the Forest Country marketing campaign, and after months of dialogue, they have met the criteria for membership and have recently been welcomed as the 13th county in our regional economic development organization. We look forward to working with these fine folks, and I hope that you will join me in welcoming them aboard.

I also wanted to invite you to join us at noon on Tuesday, June 26, for our biannual TFCP Legislative Wrap-up Conference at the Pitser Garrison Civic Center in Lufkin. Our regional state legislators will be present to offer their thoughts on the recently completed legislative session in Austin, as well as take a few questions from the audience. Please make plans to attend!

Lastly, please find enclosed a 2007 membership dues invoice. Typically, we send these out in December/January each year, but due to some changes recommended by our fundraising/finance committee, our Board has just updated and approved this year's amounts. While dues are voluntary, they are critical to our ability to operate and carry out the numerous initiatives we have undertaken. Please remember that the TFCP is a 501(c)3, nonprofit organization and all donations are fully tax deductible.

Again, we appreciate all you do to help our region grow and the ongoing support you provide our association as we labor to enhance the economic vitality and appeal of the Texas Forest Country.

Texas Forest Country - A "Natural" for Retirees!

Lufkin - You can see the lakes, the rivers, the trees and soon you may see droves of retirees blaze a trail to East Texas. That's the Texas Forest Country Partnership's intent. TFCP unveiled an initiative on Wednesday, October 11th that's aimed at bringing America's burgeoning retirement sector to its twelve county region. In unveiling the brand TEXAS FOREST COUNTRY, TFCP Chairman David Alders says it positions East Texas to market the friendly folks and the pristine forests and waterways that make up this distinct region of the state. Alders of Nacogdoches goes on to say, "Research shows that Americans looking to retire are searching for a community where they can make friends and connections quickly, a home that's not too distant from their grandchildren, a moderate cost of living, which includes reasonable taxes, and a setting where one can indulge a recreational passion, such as hunting or fishing or even, for a growing number of people, farming." Alders added, "Does that sound like a place we know?" Alders credited former TFCP Chair Gene Nethery for promoting this vision five years ago and the Temple-Inland Foundation for providing the seed money to conduct a feasibility study on East Texas as a retirement destination. TFCP (then known as the Deep East Texas Development Association) intensified this economic development engine by crusading for a bill in the 79th Legislature authored by Rep. Roy Blake, Jr. and Sen. Todd Staples. It provided a framework for communities and counties to apply for designation as a Certified Retirement Community. If approved, those communities can secure the assistance of the Texas Department of Agriculture in promoting themselves as retirement communities. At this juncture, both the City of Lufkin and Nacogdoches County have submitted applications for the Certified Retirement Community designation. In May of 2005, TFCP asked the Lufkin-based marketing and business development company Ainsworth/Alvis to develop a brand and create a promotional campaign to showcase the assets the twelve county region has to offer Baby Boomers searching for a place to put down roots. Unveiled today, the campaign's aim is to catch the eyes, ears and interest of folks outside of the TFCP region. It speaks of a place that's naturally beautiful, friendly to a fault, and teeming with opportunities. The TEXAS FOREST COUNTRY campaign includes billboards, brochures and print ads that all point people to its website www.texasforestcountry.com. Alders says he feels confident neighbors across Texas and the nation will find this welcome mat inviting and compelling and will come see what all the fuss is about!

The TEXAS FOREST COUNTRY campaign is a collaborative effort of the Texas Forest Country Partnership, its members and county coordinators, cue:creative, Pioneer Design Group and Ainsworth/Alvis, LLC.

Consider these facts when talking "retirees are a good business":

• There are 59 million Americans at retirement age, and there will be 84 million more over the next 20 years.
• In Texas, there are 3.8 million people at retirement age, and by 2020 there will be 6.9 million. By that year, one quarter of all Texans will be over the age of 55.
• In economic development terms, one retired couple has the same local economic impact as 3.7 factory jobs.
• Retired citizens generally bring in twice as much revenue as the cost of providing them services.
• Retired people require no tax abatements or incentives, and they represent sustainable economic development.
• Retirees are interested in becoming solid, contributing members of a community.
• Retirees control 77% of our nation's personal assets. We're excited, to say the least, about the opportunity to corral the capabilities and resources of all counties in the TFCP region to bring attention to what we've always known is the greatest place on earth to live.