PRESS RELEASE
May 5, 2020
The Breckenridge Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) is pleased to announce that it is implementing a COVID-19 Recovery Emergency Loan Program. The new temporary loan program is designed to provide assistance to help Stephens County small businesses recover from the financial impacts of the economic crisis.
Stephens Memorial Hospital District announced that the hospital and nursing home has received significant funding from the government to aid during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The acceptance of the assistance was announced during the Monday, April 27 board meeting as a portion of the funding comes from the Texas Health and Human Services. The state department has provided the hospital with $626,000 to be split between the hospital district and the nursing home within Stephens County.
Texas 11th Congressional District Congressman Mike Conaway held a tele-town hall meeting with Republican nominee August Pfluger to address concerns for District 11 citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The incumbent and nominee addressed such topics as oil/gas, food shortages, stimulus checks, and the severity of COVID-19 on rural communities.
For the full story, click here to subscribe or log in to read the Wednesday, May 6 edition of the Breckenridge American.
The Breckenridge Independent School District received a presentation from Gary Zeitler of the Eagle Property Tax Appraisal & Consulting, Inc in regards to the appeal to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts for Stephens County property value. The presentation was received during the teleconference BISD board meeting on Thursday, April 23.
According to Heitler, property taxes are divided into different categories. A-Residential homes, B-multi-family homes, C- vacant lots, D- homes in the rural county on acres.
After a weekend of awaiting test results, Stephens County officials have confirmed that the county has become the first in Texas to have a 100 percent negative rate on COVID-19 testing.
The results come as 96 Stephens County residents signed up and were tested for the COVID-19 virus as the Texas National Guards provided free mass testing on Thursday, April 30.
Citizens became aware of their testing results on Sunday, May 3 with a phone call from the Texas Department of State Health Services
Stephens County has applied and are allowed to begin Phase 2 of the Governors Strike Force to Reopen Texas Report. The report allow counties to strategically reopen businesses around the state.
Phase 2 allows the county to reopen business with 50 percent occupancy in an effort to restart the Texas economy.
The plan is detailed in Governor Greg Abbott’s recently released Strike Force to Reopen Texas Report.
The Breckenridge community came together in full force for the retirement of City manager Andy McCuistion. Community leaders, government officials, family, and friends gathered on Thursday, April 30 inside the Breckenridge City Offices Commission Chambers to celebrate his legacy.
McCuistion served the community as the city manager for the past eight years and has spearheaded multiple projects to improve the city.
Note: Registration for testing will not go live until 8 a.m. Wednesday, April 29. Citizens interested in getting tested must call and make appointment starting at that time.
Governor Greg Abbott is deploying the Texas National Guard to provide free mass mobile COVID-19 testing for Stephens County on Thursday, April 30. The mobile testing will take place at the Apostolic Lighthouse UPC, located at 1509 E Walker St.
Land and homeowners can expect an increase in property valuation due to more individuals moving from heavily populated areas to rural communities.
According to a report from the Texas A & M, Natural Resource Institute, the report finds the largest increases in land values were observed in proximity to major metropolitan areas.
For the full story, click here to subscribe or log in to read the Wednesday, April 29 edition of the Breckenridge American.
County and city officials of the community are preparing for a major economic decrease in the oil and gas revenue received yearly. The news comes as oil prices plunged more than 80 percent on Monday, April 20 falling to below zero dollars per barrel and has continued to fluctuate.
The severity of the situation cannot be underestimated. U.S. Representative Mike Conaway of Texas’s 11th congressional district recently released a statement on oil prices.
