Transportation

Bryan/College Station in Brazos County is still one of the fastest growing metro areas in the State of Texas. Our community has experienced a 22% growth rate since 1990 and is the largest SMSA without interstate highway access.

Thanks to on-going support, in 2006, construction on a 15-mile segment of State Highway 6 from southern College Station to North of Navasota, Texas was begun. This project is due for completion in 2008.

Education/Workforce

Bryan/College Station is the home of Texas A&M University and Blinn College. The over 50,000 college students and over 20,000 employees make higher education a major economic force in our community. Texas A&M University is one of the leading research centers in the country, and as such, its strategic capabilities as a center of excellence in many research areas should be encouraged and supported.

In the United States, 51.8% of those employed work for companies defined as small business. That compares to 48.5% for the state of Texas and 63.9% in Bryan/College Station. Two-thirds of all net new jobs over the last 25 years have been created by small businesses. We must create an environment in Texas that removes impediments to entrepreneurs and allowing existing businesses to grown and thrive, adding new jobs to the local economy.

Economic Development

Beginning in 2005, Texas residents were able to deduct sales taxes from their federal income taxes; however, current legislation only allows this deduction through 2006. Our local residents and businesses bear an unfair burden when our sales taxes are not deductible.

Because of individual income-tax cuts, small businesses now have a greater incentive to expand their businesses and add jobs. These cuts have had or will have a positive effect on the pocketbooks of Texas businesses and consumers.

Continued support of pro-growth and pro-competition tax relief that includes tax simplification, permanent estate tax repeal and permanent sales tax deductibility help maintain the economy's upward momentum and business growth.

Health and Human Services

Bryan/College Station has nearly 400 health care providers, including two full service hospitals and one specialty hospital that deliver a level of care usually available only in a major metropolitan area. Our business community continues to be concerned over the uninsured, mental health services and Medicaid reimbursement. Also, there is a real crisis in the availability of nurses in our community and across the nation.

Source: Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce

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