Business News
City Council approves $28M in tree trimming funds for Austin Energy
The Austin City Council has approved a contract extension worth up to $28 million for tree trimming and vegetation management around Austin Energy's electrical distribution lines. The extension will last until the end of 2024 and is intended to address the depletion of funds from existing contracts, due to rate adjustments and multiple weather events.
Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce announces 2024 board members
The Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce recently unveiled its 2024 board members and expressed appreciation for the contributions of outgoing members. The organization plays a pivotal role as the main resource for the LGBTQ+ and allied business community in Austin.
Latest News
SSOE Group announces opening of Austin office
By Austin Journal | Feb 19, 2024
SSOE Group, an internationally recognized architecture and engineering firm with a focus on semiconductor, electric vehicle, and battery manufacturing, has announced the grand opening of its new office in Austin. The office is located at 1701 Directors Boulevard and was inaugurated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Texas drivers saw 25% car insurance rate increase in 2023
By Austin Journal | Jan 23, 2024
The Zebra, a digital platform facilitating insurance policy comparisons, announced on Jan. 21 that drivers in Texas experienced an average surge of 25% in their car insurance rates between 2022 and 2023. This rate hike was greater than the inflation rate within the auto insurance industry, yet it fell short of the increases witnessed in several other states.
Abbott leads economic development mission to India
By Austin Journal | Jan 20, 2024
Governor Greg Abbott is currently visiting India, a Southwest Asian nation with a population of over 1 billion. The Office of the Texas Governor has characterized this visit as an economic development mission. The delegation from the Lone Star state will be in India for at least a week, meeting with company executives, business leaders, and government officials.
Austin Chamber of Commerce attends Happy Health & Wellness grand opening
By Austin Journal | Jan 15, 2024
The Austin Chamber of Commerce participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Dec. 18, marking the grand opening of an integrative medical clinic, Happy Health & Wellness, in Oak Hill. The newly established wellness center aims to offer both traditional and integrative medicine to the Austin community.
Paxton: Texas has led the nation in the fight to hold giant tech companies accountable for monopolistic activity
By Austin Journal | Dec 28, 2023
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has announced a $700 million settlement with Google over anticompetitive practices. The agreement, which is supported by his counterparts in other states and territories, requires Google to pay $630 million in restitution, excluding costs and fees, to individuals who made purchases on the Google Play Store between August 2016 and September 2023 and were adversely affected by these practices, according to the state's top law enforcement officer.
Austin Chamber names 2024 board chair and chair-elect
By Austin Journal | Dec 15, 2023
The Austin Chamber has unveiled its board leadership for the 2024-2025 term. Rudy Garza, the President and CEO of GarzaEMC, is slated to assume the role of board chair in 2024. Meanwhile, Mark Ramseur, Managing Principal of Pape-Dawson Engineers, will serve as the chair-elect in 2024 before assuming the position of board chair in 2025.
Austin and Chiang Mai sign New Sister City Partnership to boost trade, culture, and security collaboration
By Austin Journal | Dec 4, 2023
On November 12th, an important agreement was signed between the cities of Austin and Chiang Mai at Austin City Hall. Kirk Watson, the Mayor of Austin, and Nirat Phongsittithaworn, the Governor of Chiang Mai, initiated a partnership that aims to strengthen ties between these two diverse cities.
Abbott on upcoming Governor’s Small Business Summit in Houston: 'Texas offers more of these growth opportunities than any other state'
By Austin Journal | Dec 4, 2023
Governor Greg Abbott has announced that Houston will be the host city for the 2023 Governor’s Small Business Summit, an event designed to honor women business owners and entrepreneurs. This announcement was made by the Office of the Texas Governor, who noted that these summits serve as a platform to assist the state's small business owners and entrepreneurs with accessing necessary resources and information needed to establish their businesses.
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UFCU opens Georgetown branch
By Austin Journal | Nov 29, 2023
University Federal Credit Union (UFCU) announced the opening of its innovative and first-of-its-kind branch in Georgetown, Texas. This new branch offers a range of services, including a 24/7 drive-through and walk-up ATM, a self-serve coin-counting machine, safe deposit boxes, and personalized financial expertise. The branch opened with the aim of improving financial accessibility for both existing members and the wider community.
Comptroller Hegar urges delay in listing decision for two Edwards Aquifer fish species
By Austin Journal | Nov 27, 2023
The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Glenn Hegar, announced that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) should postpone its decision on listing two blind, cave-dwelling fish as endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This announcement is concurrent with the comptroller's office opening up invitations for research proposals from Texas public universities on ESA-listed or potential candidate species.
Texas comptroller Hegar boosts BEAD funding with new waiver approval
By Austin Journal | Nov 27, 2023
The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Glenn Hegar, announced his approval for the federal government's decision to grant a waiver for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, providing potential applicants with expanded financing choices. This move took place as the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) issued a waiver for the letter of credit (LOC) requirement outlined in the BEAD Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
LPL Financial said Advisors join LPL Financial from UBS
By Austin Journal | Nov 26, 2023
``` LPL Financial announced that financial advisors Michael J. Pumo CFP®, CEPA®, AWMA, and David A. DiRe have become part of LPL Financial’s broker-dealer, RIA, and custodial platforms. Following this transition, Pumo and DiRe inaugurated 360 Wealth Advisors, establishing an independent financial practice situated in Austin, Texas. This move comes as part of their strategic effort to expand their reach and offer comprehensive financial services.
Allegiant introduces nonstop AUS to Eugene, Oregon
By Austin Journal | Nov 23, 2023
The city of Austin and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) revealed Allegiant's latest announcement of a nonstop route to Eugene, Oregon. This new addition by Allegiant adds to their existing 18 routes from the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, thereby bolstering their connectivity.
UFCU designated trusted banking partner for UT Austin faculty and staff
By Austin Journal | Nov 22, 2023
University Federal Credit Union (UFCU) announced its selection as a trusted banking partner for faculty and staff at The University of Texas at Austin. This decision followed a competitive request for proposal (RFP). The partnership aims to enhance financial success among the academic community by providing them with exclusive financial services.
UFCU appoints Joe Gonzalez as Associate VP of Everyday Banking
By Austin Journal | Nov 15, 2023
University Federal Credit Union (UFCU) announced the promotion of Joe Gonzalez to lead the Everyday Banking and Payments business unit, effective immediately. Starting as a mortgage coordinator at UFCU in 2005, Gonzalez has taken on increasingly senior positions over the last 18 years.
Texas Comptroller updates list of financial companies boycotting energy firms
By Austin Journal | Nov 11, 2023
The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Glenn Hegar, announced the inclusion of five firms to the list of companies boycotting the oil and gas industry. The Comptroller’s office conducted a review of investment funds, identifying approximately 350 funds subject to divestment under the same provisions as the companies, according to a press release by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.
Gov. Abbott unveils Texas Small Business Credit Initiative
By Austin Journal | Nov 6, 2023
Governor Greg Abbott has announced the Texas Small Business Credit Initiative (TSBCI) and is welcoming applications from Texas financial institutions seeking to participate in the small business support programs. The U.S. Department of the Treasury ratified the State of Texas' State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) allocation agreement, thus providing funding for TSBCI programs, according to a press release from Governor Abbott's office.
Austin to host largest AV, IT expo in Texas
By Austin Journal | Nov 3, 2023
Austin is set to host the largest tech expo for AV and IT professionals in Texas, named AVI Live, on Nov. 8 at the Palmer Events Center. "AVI Systems will host an AV and IT expo in Austin on Nov. 8.", announced the organizers.