Weekly Newsletter

February 2, 2026

Members, if you have something that needs to go in the newsletter, please email it as a jpeg or png file by Thursday to info@beltonchamber.com

Chamber News

Curious about home buying in today’s market? Learn why now is a great time to buy a home from Texell Credit Union at the February Business Bites & Insights!

In Texas, small business is BIG. Known for our entrepreneurial spirit and rich history of innovation, the Lone Star State boasts an incredibly strong and active entrepreneurial environment. In fact, Texas—home to more than 3.5 million small businesses—is prized with the best business climate in the nation, in large part due to the hard-working Texans who pursue their dreams of building their own business!

The Governor's Office of Small Business Assistance and the Business Permit Office assist small and medium Texas businesses through entrepreneurial support, education and technical assistance. As part of these responsibilities, the newly updated 2026-2027 Texas Business Licenses & Permits Guide has been finalized to help new or existing business owners determine which state-level business licenses or permits are required to do business within the state.

I-35 Meeting

The meeting with Representative Hickland to update Belton business owners on the latest developments with the I-35 plans and discuss the next steps in advocating for our downtown business community is Tuesday, February 3rd.

Member News

Every student deserves the opportunity to pursue a Christian education, no matter their income. That's why we're introducing UMHB Promise — a free tuition program for eligible first-time freshmen and new transfer undergraduate students, beginning with the incoming fall 2026 class.

The program is open to students with a family income of $65,000 or less. For a complete list of requirements, visit www.umhb.edu/admissions

Temple Civic Theatre presents: August Wilson's ~ Fences

Troy Maxson, a former star of the Negro baseball leagues, now works as a garbage man in 1957 Pittsburgh. Excluded from the major leagues in his prime, Troy has grown increasingly bitter, and his anger and frustration take a toll on his wife Rose and his son Cory, who now wants his own chance to play ball professionally.

The next Bulk Drop-off is February 7th.

Here's the criteria:

Must live in the Belton city limits or Three Creeks Municipal Utility District

(proof residency required)

One load per household. No hazardous waste such as paint, chemicals, TVs, tires or batteries. No commercial bulk. The event is for residential customers

No large runs of fence (scrap material is appropriate)

Regardless of disposal method, all appliances with refrigerants must be green tagged (a green tag designates that refrigerants are removed).

IMERAKI, My Giving Tree, Lindy Lu's

Saturday, February 7th

Join us for Roses & Retail, the perfect day to sip, shop, and score sweet deals in Downtown Belton, 10am to 7pm!

Enjoy bubbly while you browse

Shop amazing specials

OPEN LATE for evening shopping

Valentine vibes all day

Downtown Belton, TX

Visit these most loved stores:

iMERAKi

My Giving Tree Gift Shop & Art Gallery

Lindy Lu’s on the Square

Grab your friends or that special someone and make a day of it filled with love, roses, and retail!

We are celebrating big this year…

Look forward to partying on the deck like a daytime coffee club experience with a DJ and a flash tattoo artist! There will be coffee (obviously), stickers, and giveaways to celebrate our 3rd year in the community! Thank you for all your continued support and we look forward to celebrating with you!

Stay tuned for more details to come!

It’s a Heart Day Celebration & we’re spreading ALL the love!

Get ready for a day full of giggles, glam, and girl time with:

Bubbly mocktails

Tiny tatts

Mini facials

Hair feather extensions

Permanent jewelry

Chocolate fondue

So grab your besties, bring your girlfriends, and come treat yourself! Let’s sip, sparkle, and celebrate love in the cutest way possible

The Celtic Gala is a beloved community tradition and the catalyst for the transformation of students, families and communities in Bell County. Each year our Celtic Family, community leaders, ambassadors, influencers, and business leaders gather to support the Holy Trinity Catholic High School's s mission of putting Catholic education within reach for students of all backgrounds.

Bob Schneider Live at the Cultural Activities Center

Saturday, February 7 at 7:30pm

Bob Schneider - One of Austin’s most celebrated live performers is coming to the Cultural Activities Center for an unforgettable night of music.

Known for his genre-defying sound and electric stage presence, Bob Schneider delivers a show that blends folk, rock, rap, funk, bluegrass, reggae, and country—all rolled into one unforgettable experience.

This is a must-see performance for live music lovers.

Tickets on sale now — secure yours early.

TICKETS

Experience the excitement of the Bell County Youth Fair Livestock Show & PRCA Rodeo, taking place February 13-14, 2026 at 7:30pm, with a special pre-show Mutton Bustin' at 7pm. Join us at Cadence Bank Center for two action-packed nights that celebrate Texas western heritage and support local youth. Youth Fair Livestock Show dates are Feb. 7-14.

Support Local Youth & Tradition

All net proceeds from the Rodeo help fund scholarships and opportunities for the youth of Bell County. Last year alone, over $60,000 in scholarships were awarded, thanks to dedicated volunteers and generous supporters.

Bold Republic Brewing

February 14th at 12pm

Eat. Cray. AND Love this Valentine's Day with us at BOLD!

Central Texas Crawfish Co. is warming up their kettle and bringing the best mud bugs from Louisiana they can get their hands on! Join us for a Valentine's Day lunch. Bring your date. Bring the family. And get ready for some ice cold craft beer to wash it all down with.

You know the way to their heart. Crawfish. Sausage. Corn. Potatoes.

TICKETS GO ON SALE JANUARY 2, 2026

FOR THE FEBRUARY 21, 2026

“THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME” BENEFIT AT THE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES CENTER (CAC), TEMPLE, TX.

Ticket options are: Corporate Partner Reserved Table for 8 is $2,500. This includes a Personal Table, Assistant, Wine for the Table, Swag, Premier seating at the Concert, and Public Recognition. Personal Partner Table for 8 is $1,800 and includes 2 Bottles of Wine and Preferred Seating at the Concert. Individual Tickets with opening seating for dinner and Reserved Seating for the Concert are $175.

Concert Tickets are $75. Tickets may be purchased through the CAC website at www.cacarts.org by phone at 254-773-9926, or at the CAC Office located at 3011 North 3rd Street, Temple, TX 76501. Credit cards are accepted.

Gain key insights at Texell’s Small Business Summit from Jason Dorsey, bestselling author, researcher, and expert on marketing to Gen Z

RSVP HERE

Held at Temple College, the presentation helps you understand how to:

· Recruit, motivate, and retain Gen Z employees

· Market to, sell to, and build Gen Z’s brand loyalty

· Use your own generational strengths for results

Ten registrants will receive a copy of Jason Dorsey’s bestselling book, Zconomy: How Gen Z Will Change the Future of Business and What to Do About It.

When: Wednesday, February 25, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Where: Event Center, Main Bldg., Temple College, 2600 S. 1st St., Temple, TX 76504

Cost: $30 – general admission (includes a boxed lunch)

About the speaker: Called a “research guru” by Adweek, Jason Dorsey is President of The Center for Generational Kinetics (CGK), the leading generations and emerging trends research, strategy, and speaking firm. CGK has worked with over 700 companies around the world to drive innovation, growth, and research-based thought leadership. Jason wrote his first bestselling book at age 18, and his current bestseller, Zconomy: How Gen Z Will Change the Future of Business and What to Do About It, was a #1 New Release on Amazon and a Top 10 Business Book of the Year by Forbes.com.

The Friends of the Belton Library invite you to an unforgettable Author Luncheon featuring John R. Erickson, author of the beloved Hank the Cowdog series.

Saturday, Feb. 28

10 AM – 2 PM

Celebrate literacy, enjoy tasty BBQ, and support your local library in great company. Tickets are available — link in the comments to purchase!

This is our 9th Annual CASA 5K Race and Fun Run. Our unique loop running course in Temple was voted “Best 5K Route” last year by our race participants. Come run our fully paved, well-marked, and measured route on Saturday, March 7th. The route is excellent for serious runners as well as those who enjoy supporting a great cause with a fun run. This is a chip-timed race with official results. In addition to all of the running prizes for the various age categories, our race includes prizes for “Best in Theme” dressed runners, largest club/group participation prize, youngest and oldest runners, and an award for the runner that travels the farthest to participate. Have fun and support CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties – join us on Saturday, March 7th as we run for CASA!

Bold Republic Brewery

March 14th @10am

4th Annual Shamrock Shuffle

Lace up and get ready, Temple! The 4th Annual Shamrock Shuffle is back—bringing green gear, good vibes, and plenty of local fun to the streets of Temple.

Whether you’re running, walking, or just here for the post-shuffle celebration, this annual tradition is all about community, movement, and St. Patrick’s Day spirit. Grab your friends, throw on some green, and join us for a morning of fun capped off with well-earned celebration.

What to expect:

• 4th annual community Shamrock Shuffle

• All paces welcome — run or walk

• Festive vibes and local support

Mark your calendar, get shamrock-ready, and let’s keep this Temple tradition rolling.

TICKETS

Help us celebrate 4 yrs of business! We are having a cigar & bourbon night. Must be 21+ and buy 2 cigars pp or a $10 cover pp. Cigar Cut & Light with Faustino Cigars. This is a new line we brought into our humidor. They are bringing their roller who will be doing live demonstrations of rolling cigars!

We will be having a Bourbon Night also. Bring extra cash to buy raffle tickets for great prizes.

Free food while it lasts!

Temple Civic Theatre presents: Cabaret

In a Berlin nightclub, as the 1920s draw to a close, a garish Master of Ceremonies welcomes the audience and assures them they will forget all their troubles at the Cabaret. With the Emcee’s bawdy songs as wry commentary, Cabaret explores the dark, heady and tumultuous life of Berlin’s natives and expatriates as Germany slowly yields to the emerging Third Reich. Cliff, a young American writer newly arrived in Berlin, is immediately taken with English singer Sally Bowles. Meanwhile, Fräulein Schneider, proprietor of Cliff and Sally’s boarding house, tentatively begins a romance with Herr Schultz, a mild-mannered fruit seller who happens to be Jewish.

Temple Civic Theatre presents: Ken Ludwig's ~ Dear Jack, Dear Louise

U.S. Army Captain Jack Ludwig, a military doctor stationed in Oregon, begins writing to Louise Rabiner, an aspiring actress and dancer in New York City, hoping to meet her someday if the war will allow. But as the war continues, it threatens to end their relationship before it even starts. Tony Award-winning playwright Ken Ludwig (Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery, Lend Me a Tenor) tells the joyous, heartwarming story of his parents’ courtship during World War II and the results are anything but expected.

We imagine a world where families in rural Nigeria no longer spend hours each day searching for what should be basic—clean, safe water.

If you believe in that future too, join us on April 25, 2026 | Temple, TX for GALA NITE—an elegant evening supporting life-changing clean water projects in rural Nigeria.

� Reserve your seat:

https://givebutter.com/c/whrswQ

Temple Civic Theatre presents: Rodgers & Hammerstein's ~ Oklahoma!

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s first collaboration remains, in many ways, their most innovative, setting the standards and rules of modern musical theatre. In a Western territory just after the turn of the 20th century, a high-spirited rivalry between local farmers and cowboys provides a colorful background for Curly, a charming cowboy, and Laurey, a feisty farm girl, to play out their love story. Their romantic journey, as bumpy as a surrey ride down a country road, contrasts with the comic exploits of brazen Ado Annie and hapless Will Parker in a musical adventure embracing hope, determination and the promise of a new land.

Temple Civic Theatre Guild presents:

Texas Hold 'Em Tournament

Join the fun with a classic Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament. Enjoy refreshments while you play or watch!

Saturday, July 18, 2026 7-10pm

$50 – Play, Food and Drink

$25 – Food and Drink Only

Come check out Central Texas' BIGGEST EVENT of the year!

Event: Bell County Comic Con

Date: Aug 1 & 2, 2026

Time: 10AM-6PM

Bringing together 80's, 90's, 00's Pop Culture, Celebrities, Artists, Vendors, Food Trucks, and More.

You don't want to miss it!

Get your tickets now:

www.bellcountycomiccon.com

Welcome to The Tea Club — Ruby Tearoom’s weekly CommuniTEA Table!

Every Thursday at 3 PM, we set the table for connection, conversation, and a good cup of tea. Whether you’re coming solo, with a friend, or just curious to try tea & find communiTEA, this is your chance to join the club.

Free to join — simply RSVP below so we know to save you a seat!

RSVP