Volume 082622 | August 26, 2022

Your weekly news & updates

Support the bond

The Board of Directors of the Greater Taylor Chamber of Commerce voted unanimously earlier this month to support Taylor ISD's $82.4 million bond that will be on the ballot for the Nov. 8 election. That resolution can be found HERE

The bond addresses safety, district growth and aging facilities. including...

  • District Wide Safety and Security Updates
  • Major Maintenance Repairs and Replacements
  • Taylor High School Career and Technology Education Addition/Renovation
  • Taylor Middle School Addition/Renovation
  • Modernization at Main Street, Pasemann, and TH Johnson Elementary Schools
  • Land Acquisition

Voters are encouraged to learn more at the following information meetings

  •  7 p.m. Sept. 13 - N. Pasemann Elementary Cafeteria
  •  7 p.m. Sept. 27 - Taylor High School Cafeteria
  •  7 p.m. Sept. 20 - Taylor Middle School Cafeteria
  •  7 p.m. Oct. 3 - TH Johnson Cafeteria
  •  7 p.m. Oct. 10 - Main Street Intermediate Events Center

You can learn more about the bond and the pro enrollment projections on which it is based  HERE

To vote in this election, you must be registered by Oct. 11. Early voting runs Oct. 24-Nov. 4.


Register to vote!

Thanks to our sponsors

DDP Motorsports,

Workforce Solutions,

Baylor Scott & White, Durcon, Taylor ISD, Valero Energy Corporation, Taylor Press, Sirloin Stockade, Samsung, Hart Components, EPCOR, City National Bank, Lower Brushy Creek WCID, and United Way of Greater Austin & Ancira Salsa

Sponsorships, which offer prime booth locations, extra promotion and advertising, are still available.

The 2022 Business Expo and Job Fair, hosted by the Greater Taylor Chamber of Commerce, will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10 at the Williamson County Expo Center. Admission is free of charge.
New this year is the addition of a career exploration center for youth.
Workforce Solutions will be bringing virtual simulation goggles to let young people (or people interested in changing careers) have a look inside various trades and occupations!
In years past, the Business Expo and Job Fair saw 1000-1500 potential customers and future employees from throughout the area stop in to learn about the goods and services from some of the most forward-thinking business in town.
Booths are $210 for Chamber members and $260 for non-members. Registration will end Wednesday, Aug. 31.
Learn about the benefits of sponsorship HERE and sign up HERE.
Join us at the EARLY BIRD booth rate HERE.
Still have questions... call the Chamber at 512-352-6364 or email info@taylorchamber.org

Chamber to host advocacy summit

Individual admission starts at $50

Adriana Cruz, the Executive Director of the Economic Development and Tourism office of Governor Greg Abbott, will be the keynote speaker at the Greater Taylor Chamber of Commerce’s Pre-Legislative Summit on Wednesday, Sept. 7. Sponsorships are available and individual admission starts at $50.

Cruz is the state’s leading authority on economic development will address the Summit over lunch. She will share insights from three years in that office as well as from her more than 20 years of leadership experience in economic development, marketing, and international business, with the group.

“We are expecting extreme growth in our region over the coming years, and as community builders and leaders, we need to be ready,” Taylor Chamber President and CEO Tia Rae Stone said. “We are going to be facing issues with economic and workforce development that we have never seen before so we are lucky to have Ms. Cruz to give us some guideposts.”

The Summit will focus on infrastructure, energy and water resources and economic and workforce development and a special remarks from Jesse Ancira, former Chief of Staff for Speaker of the House Joe Straus, on building strong relationships across business and government sectors.

The Chamber is recruiting specialists in those areas to serve as panelists during the discussion with the goal of uniting the region for advocacy for its unique needs. Currently expected are Gary Westbrook from the Post Oak Savannah GCD, Tom Oney from LCRA, Bryan Daniel of the Texas Workforce Commission and Greg Conte with the Texas Broadband Development Office.

“We have all been quasi-rural and have, primarily, older infrastructure that has created unique needs and issues,” Stone said. “Getting together to learn and discuss these issues will help us reach out with a clear voice to our state and national leaders, many of whom are expected to have representatives at this Summit.”

The event will run 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Williamson County Exposition Center, 5350 Bill Pickett Drive in Taylor. Tickets and sponsorships are on sale now HERE.

For more information on the Pre-legislative Summit email info@taylorchamber.org or call 512-352-6364.

Click here to register

New Pricing for Chamber Luncheon starts in September

Starting in September 2022, we will have to increase our fees for the Monthly Business Luncheon. We held off as long as we could, but in order to continue to provide delicious meal options, our caterers have expressed they need a little bigger budget. As a chamber, our number one focus is supporting our members, and have heard them loud and clear.

As of our next luncheon, September 19, 2022 the pricing will be as follows.


Chamber Members: $20

Non-member/Prospective Members: $25

Reserved Table with logo signage * NEW* for up to 8: $175

Luncheon Sponsor: $300 (includes 4 seats, 2 minutes to address the group, logo in newsletter and on signs at every table)

*If you have pre-paid registrations, your ticket price is grandfathered.*


Please know that you will be required to register through your Chamber account to get member pricing.

If you are not already doing that, or need help with how to set that up,

please contact Rachael at info@taylorchamber.org and she will be happy to help you.

 Meet The Ambassadors 

Deborah Parker

Citizens National Bank

Branch Manager

Education: Taylor High School

Spouse: John Parker

Children: Kelly Falk and Tanner Parker, both adults

Hobbies: Camping, scrapbooking, playing games and puzzles

Volunteer efforts: Taylor Lions Club, Taylor area Businesswomen, Chamber, St. Mary’s Alter Society and Choir

Ryan Stiba

Citizens National Bank

Branch President

Education: BA Economics from UT Austin, graduate degree in banking from Southwest Graduate School of Banking at SMU

Spouse: Olivia Stiba

Children: Ashton, 1

Volunteer efforts: Rotary Club of Taylor, President Elect; Chair of Taylor Housing Authority; Treasurer for the Chamber of Commerce; Treasurer of the Greater Taylor Foundation

About The Ambassadors

The Chamber's Ambassador Program is designed to develop leaders who engage with the community. This year's Class includes employees of 12 important businesses in our community.

A new Ambassador class will begin in January 2023. If you are interested in enrolling one of your employees, email Rachael Westerman at info@taylorchamber.org.

The Ambassadors are sponsored by Eagle Bank, Holiday Inn Express & Suites and Taylor Press.

Business Tip of the Week

Being more productive means doing all the things you have to do more efficiently.

The Chamber's wildly popular nighttime golf tournament will return to Mustang Creek on Friday, Oct. 14.
The first nine holes are played in the daylight and the last nine (well, three rounds of three) are played with glow-in-the-dark golf balls that are provided with registration.
Click HERE to learn more about the event including the various prizes and how to register as a team or sponsor. If you need more, email info@taylorchamber.org or call 512-352-6364.
Chamber News and Community Calendar
Calendar
Chamber events are bolded.
  • Friday, Aug. 26, 6-10p.m. -- Ambassador Appreciation Party at Holiday Inn Express
  • Saturday, Aug. 27, 3 p.m. -- Ribbon Cutting at Class Salon located in Old Taylor High
  • Saturday, Aug. 27, 7:30 p.m. -- Dudes as Dames hosted by Cinderella's Closet at SPJST 29
  • Wednesday, Aug 31, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. -- Samsung Construction Fair at Wilco Expo Center
  • Thursday, Sept. 1, 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. -- Samsung Job Fair at Wilco Expo Center
  • Thursday , Sept. 1, 9 a.m. -- Chamber Governance Committee meeting via Zoom
  • Monday, Sept. 5 -- Chamber office closed for Labor Day
  • Wednesday, Sept. 7, 11:30-1pm -- Small Business Learn at Lunch series at Holiday Inn Express in Taylor REGISTER 
  • Wednesday. Sept. 7, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30p.m. --  Pre-Legislative Summit at Wilco Expo Center REGISTER HERE (deadline Sept 2)
  • Thursday, Sept. 8, 8 a.m. -- Finance Committee meeting via Zoom
  • Saturday, Sept. 10, 10-2 p.m. -- 2022 East Wilco Business Expo and Job Fair at the Wilco Expo Center located at 5350 Bill Picket Trail.
  • Sunday, Sept. 11, 11 a.m. - 5p.m. -- St. Mary's Homecoming Fall Festival
  • Monday, Sept. 12, noon -- Banquet Committee Meeting at the Chamber Conference room
  • Thursday, Sept. 15, 6-9 p.m. -- Music on Main at Heritage Square
  • Saturday, Sept. 17, 8 a.m. -- Mamma Jamma Ride hosted by Lone Star Circle of Care  


For information on joining these or any Chamber meeting or committee, email info@taylorchamber.org.

Monthly Luncheon

Roads the topic at lunch

Please make plans to join the Greater Taylor Chamber of Commerce for our Monthly Business Luncheon!

This month we will get an update from Sr. Director of Infrastructure for Williamson County, Bob Daigh, on upcoming roadway construction that will have immediate impact on our city and the areas around it.


Monday, Sept. 19, at 11:45 a.m. at Taylor ISD Main Street Events Center, 3101 N. Main St.


Lunch catered by: Scott Morales Catering

Thank you to our SPONSOR
Register HERE

Member Announcements
Ribbon Cutting!
Celebrate a Grand Opening and New member to the Chamber on Saturday, Aug. 27 at 3:00 p.m.
Snacks-Drink-Raffle Prizes
Class Act Salon
410 W. 7th St.
Taylor, TX 76574
Taylor Lions Club Annual
Golf Tournament
Saturday, Aug. 27
$80 per player or $320 for a team (of 4)
Forms available at taylorlionsclub.org

Music on Main back for Fall!

Music on Main welcomes the undeniable rhythms of Money Chica to Heritage Square! Money Chicha is an Austin based group featuring a fuzzed-out, reverb-drenched and percussion-heavy style. This style of music, sometimes called “chicha” music, is known for its infectious Latin beat.


This FREE family-friendly event will be held 7-9pm at Heritage Square Thursday, Sept. 15, we encourage you to bring blankets and chairs for lawn seating. There will be food and drink available for purchase from some of our fantastic local vendors!

Mark your calendars now for the Dudes as Dames 2022 Fundraiser for Cinderella's Closet!
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27
at the SPJST Lodge 29 located at
5025 FM 619; Taylor, TX 76574
Call 512-269-8801 for details
Community Fall Festival
St. Mary's Catholic Church is holding their 88th Annual Homecoming Celebration
Sunday, Sept 11 from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
St. Mary's Parish & School Grounds
304 E. 5th St.

Patriot Day Parade

The City of Taylor Fire Department and the Taylor Professional Firefighter Association cordially invites you to participate in an Emergency Responders, Military Personnel & Vehicle Memorial March through downtown Taylor on Sunday, Sept. 11.

Memorial March will begin at 7 pm (line-up will be on W. 7th Street at Davis St. in front of the old high school at 6 pm) and will end at Heritage Square with a memorial program to follow.

Honor Guards and Pipes and Drums are welcome.

Samsung is hosting a job fair.

Subcontractors can plan to attend Wednesday, Aug. 31 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to see what opportunities are available with the General Contractor.

Career Opportunities with Samsung are being held Sept. 1 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Wilco Expo Center, 5350 Bill Picket Trail.

Baylor Scott & White Blood Drive


Tuesday, September 20th, from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Taylor

305 Mallard Ln.


Free Limited supply donor tote and liquid blood key chain!

Walk-ins welcome, Appointments highly encouraged

Schedule appoints at BSWBLOOD.COM

Come Learn about how our Ducks learn!

TISD has opened enrollment to their 2022-23 Ambassador Program. This program is a great opportunity to get a hands-on experience and first-hand information about our schools. Classes meet once a month 8:15 am to 2:30 p.m. September-March.

Please email tcrow@taylorisd.org or register now at www.TaylorISD.org

Entertainment calendar

  • WilCo EXPO: Click here to see what's going on at the Expo Center.
  • SPJST Lodge 29:
  • Texas Beer Company: To keep up with everything going on at TBC, click here.
  • Red Cap Cigar Lounge: See their schedule here
  • Loose Screw: Find out what's going on here.
  • Greenhouse Craft Foods at Black Sparrow Music Parlor: See who's playing here.