As a new Home2Suites is being built behind Studebakers, residents of Brownwood have had mixed feelings about the new infrastructure. Several members in the community applauded the new hotel, believing that it is going to bring more revenue to Brownwood.

They’re not wrong. According to the City of Brownwood, “Oxford Economics analysis: for every $100 hotel guests spend on lodging, they spend another $221 in their destination which includes dining, shopping, recreation and transportation in the communities where hotels are located.”

As more is added to Brownwood, visitors from all over come to spend the night. With so much that is going on in Brownwood, Early, Howard Payne, and so on, the need for more places to stay is increasing.

“Visitors to Brown County spend over $50 million each year. Sports tourism alone accounted for over 5,000 overnight stays in 2021 bringing in more than 39,000 visitors and spectators to various sporting events.” -Roland Soto, Director of Parks and Recreation

“In 2021 within the city limits of Brownwood, $32.3 million accounted for direct visitor spending (an increase of 25% the previous year), and an additional 3.4 million in tax revenue. Tourism within the City of Brownwood accounts for over 10 million in direct earnings which includes wage and salaries.” – Marshal McIntosh, Deputy City Manager

However, other citizens of Brownwood are skeptical, thinking that we have too many hotels. To some, this hotel is just another commonality in Brownwood. Others see the need to create new types of activities and businesses of all ages for Brownwood to enjoy.

While a city can place pools, event centers, and other municipal facilities, most of the ideas from Brownwood citizens range from ideas like skating rinks, recreation companies, updating the mall, and many other family friendly activity centers.

Those are done by companies or potential business owners who want to place something in Brownwood. The city might be able to appeal to companies to come to Brownwood, but those companies have to make that choice.

The reason why we have new restaurants, breweries, new shops, clothing stores, Intermission Bookshop, the Lyric; everything that we enjoy in Brownwood, is because someone wanted to do that.

“Ultimately, it is the business owner’s decision to relocate to Brownwood.  Our role is to make entry into the market as easy as possible to help grow the local economy.” – Ray Tipton, Director of Economic Development

So, what is the City of Brownwood’s role in that?

“Brownwood works with anyone with aspirations to open a business whether it is a local owner, regional or national brand, developers, international manufactures and everything in between. It is important to have a balance of name brands and locally owned businesses.” – Ray Tipton, Director of Economic Development

We’re in a process our growth has only been going for only a short while. Think of how much has happened in five years time. One could drive through Brownwood just to stop and eat. Now, there’s so many places to visit, enjoy, and take in.

What keeps coming to our community is going to be slow and lengthy. It’s a process for a community to have everything it both needs and wants. But if we got to where we are in five years, what about the next five? Or ten? Or twenty?

Overtime, along with the passion our members have for Brownwood, we’re going to start seeing more and more happen here. All it takes is people to execute an idea and put it in Brownwood.

[Story by Jacob Lehrer]