The Brownwood Downtown Business Inc. (DBI) conducted its latest meeting Wednesday morning at the Lyric Theatre. This meeting involved the various business owners in the Brownwood district and downtown. During the meeting, the members were able to express news and ideas starting the new year. The business owners were able to gain access to information regarding marketing their company to the public, the outside visitors the city is marketing to, and the success of the downtown revitalization the city has been focused on.

Eric Evans, board member of DBI and Managing Director of the Lyric Theatre, discussed membership to Downtown Brownwood Inc. which is available if you are a business owner in the Brownwood district. Evans discussed the benefits of being a member, and how the organization assists businesses to get the word out about them, their events, and promote the overall growth of downtown Brownwood. 

Ray Tipton of the Brownwood Municipal Development District was able to update the business owners on the city’s end-year reporting. Tipton brought up the success of the downtown revitalization process and the amazing progress with the Event Center construction, parking space, permits, and future event booking.

Over the past year, 12 businesses (if you count the move of Common Grounds to the corner of Main St. and Austin Ave.) were initiated in downtown Brownwood. He also announced the expansion of one business and the implementation of new ones that will be announced throughout the year.

Tipton brought up that the revitalization phase of downtown Brownwood is almost complete. Now as a new year starts, it’s time to look at what the next 10-20 years look like for Downtown Brownwood, the guiding vision for the city, and the role of the business owners. 

The DBI discussed marketing strategies not just to reach Brown County, but also abroad. Tipton was able to inform the DBI there has been successful marketing to the outside world such as the Visit Brownwood Campaign led by Deputy City Manager, Marshal McIntosh.

Kandice Harris, of the Brownwood Chamber of Commerce, updated the business owners on the yearly calendar of that the Chamber is hosting. These events for the year can be found here: https://www.brownwoodnews.com/2023/01/25/brownwood-area-chamber-of-commerce-releases-2023-schedule-of-events/.

The city is working on getting people to visit Brownwood, but it is up to the owners to get people to their business. This led to marketing strategies the business owners can rely on, how and where to post events, and how they can collaborate and discuss ideas with each other.  Furthermore, the DBI discussed the resources that businesses can utilize to draw customers to businesses and events such as monthly brochures, the Visit Brownwood website, social media, and radio broadcasting. The DBI also discussed how to improve the experience for those who are visiting Brownwood and spending their day downtown.

Brownwood provides a brochure every month that informs the events happening, and a map of businesses to visit. Links for events can be seen at visitbrownwood.com and on social media with #visitbrownwood.

[Story by Jacob Lehrer]