STEDCO looking to bright future for Stephenville area

By RUSSELL HUFFMAN

TheFlashToday.com NEWS & SPORTS – FREE & LOCAL

STEPHENVILLE (November 16, 2016) — The Stephenville Economic Development Foundation, Inc. (STEDCO) hosted its annual meeting with a full-house luncheon, a business report and the promise of a bright future on the agenda Monday.

Held at the N at Hard Way Ranch, STEDCO’s president Willie DeJong pointed out the organization’s work with the Texas Workforce Commission and Ranger Junior College. The program is designed to train and further enhance the skills of the area’s workforce like those machinists working at FMC and other local companies

De Jong also focused on Stephenville Mayor Kenny Weldon’s election to the Brazos Region G board of directors and the Bosque River Trust. Next up was one of STEDCO’s most visible projects the Entrepreneurs of Erath County which was held the help of Tarleton State University.

Willie De Jong (center) was honored for his leadership as president of STEDCO by Dr. Nathan Heller and Stephenville Chamber of Commerce president July Danley.

Flash readers will probably remember WHRL Solutions winning the $25,000 with its state of the art technology that is based off of using the heat of milk in a process to produce hot water without the aid of electricity or gas. As an example a 3,000 cow dairy equipped with the system can save as much as $30,000 per year in propane costs alone.

April Thomson of Thomson Services spoke on behalf of her husband, Colin, about the progress the company has made including equipping the largest dairy in the country of Scotland. Another winner in the competition was Lisa Pack of Texas Twisters who expressed her appreciation for the contest.

Stephenville City Administrator Pat Bridges spoke about the progress underway in regard to 27 applicants who have submitted their resumes for review by the Stephenville Economic Development Authority, as well as other projects underway in Stephenville to include city street improvements and the Bosque River Trail Project.

Following the reports, STECO took time to honor outgoing president De Jong (still on board of directors) and director Keith Brown, who is stepping down. Both men were presented with leadership awards by Dr. Nathan Heller and Stephenville Chamber of Commerce president July Danley.