The Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce announced Friday that Brown County is now officially included in the Hill Country Region of Texas in state publications, lists and websites.   Previously, Brown County was included in the Panhandle Plains Region.  The change comes as a result of a joint letter submitted to Governor Rick Perry’s office from County Judge Ray West, Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes, and Brownwood Chamber CEO Laura Terhune who requested the new classification in September of 2010.

“Prior to this change, most people assumed we were listed in the Hill Country Region due to our Central Texas location and topography,” said Brownwood Chamber CEO Laura Terhune “Many visitors have reported to us that they have had difficulty finding information about Lake Brownwood or Brown County in state publications—and it was because they were looking in the ‘wrong’ region.”

This change also comes as a result of work that the Chamber has done over the last three years by contacting various state agencies to make sure there would be no objections to the requested change.  Officials with the Texas Department of Transportation Tourism Division, Texas Historical Commission, and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department were all included in these prior discussions and showed support for the change.

“We believe that this change will be a vital component in drawing more visitors to the area,” said Terhune. “This new regional assignment will give Brownwood and Brown County much more visibility and will undoubtedly help future growth of Lake Brownwood and the state park, the hunting industry, museums, and other attractions.”

The change from Panhandle Plains to Hill Country is already reflected on the state’s tourism website TravelTex.com and will be updated in future publications.  Brad Smyth, Deputy Director of Tourism for Texas told Brownwood Chamber officials that the change will be reflected in print publications such as maps and travel guides as they go though their regular scheduled printings in the future.

For more information, contact the Brownwood Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau at 325-646-9535.