Mayor Stephen Haynes delivered the City of Brownwood’s 2026 State of the City Address on Friday, January 23, at the Brownwood Event Center Complex, highlighting continued economic growth, major public and private investments, and a strong pipeline of downtown and parks improvements.

“Brownwood is moving with purpose,” Mayor Haynes said. “We’re seeing growth in real numbers from new investment, new housing, and rising tourism and we’re matching that momentum with strategic projects that strengthen quality of life and position our community for long-term success.”

Economic performance and development activity remain strong. Brownwood recorded its first year exceeding $10 million in sales tax collections, representing a 47% increase since 2015, while the City continued tracking healthy construction activity with a 2025 new private construction projects totaling $31.7 million within the City.

Housing development continues to expand, including new single-family growth, 80 residential certificates of occupancy, and 234 new apartment units since 2021 The City also spotlighted the upcoming Preserve on Mustang Ridge, a $20 million residential project featuring 55 high-end duplexes (110 rental units) with site work anticipated to begin in the first quarter of 2026.

The Mayor also recognized key employers and reinvestment across Brownwood’s industrial base, including milestones at 3M (60th anniversary) and Kohler (50th anniversary), along with a reinvestment by Kohler 80-acre expansion tied to long-term infrastructure planning and sustained corporate growth.

Brownwood’s commercial corridor continues to redevelop and retail recruitment efforts are expanding the City’s national footprint. The City welcomed several national retail openings in 2025, and the Shops at Commerce development is under construction with five national tenants planned, including Ulta, Ross, James Avery, Five Below, and Bath & Body Works.

Haynes said that Downtown Brownwood remains a cornerstone of Brownwood’s next chapter. The City emphasized progress on the Downtown Master Plan and Phase I projects, with a timeline that includes engineering and design through October 2026, bidding in November 2026, and construction beginning in January 2027. Phase I projects include Founders Crossing, Silo Promenade & Courtyard, and Fisk and Baker streetscaping improvements.

Founders Crossing was introduced honoring Brownwood’s heritage while creating an arts-forward gathering space for what’s next. A signature rail-inspired art pavilion anchors the site, supported by a flexible lawn and walkable plaza. The space weaves history and culture through a public art walk, interactive lighting, and interpretive elements that share Brownwood’s story. The name of “Founders Crossing” reflects the crossroads of this block, framed by streets (Fisk, Anderson, Chandler, and Hawkins) named for Brownwood leaders and families. The project is made possible through a generous site donation from TexasBank.

Haynes said that Phase I streetscaping along Baker and Fisk will upgrade sidewalks, crossings, lighting, place utilities underground, and improve walkable connectivity between downtown businesses and the Brownwood Event Center. The project will also expand public street parking by adding roughly 60 new spaces, including additional ADA parking.

“Downtown is our foundation, and it’s also our future,” Mayor Haynes said. “A thriving downtown is economic development you can see and feel. We’re building one that reflects Brownwood’s story and is walkable, welcoming, and worth the trip – inviting more people to live, invest, shop, and gather here.”

The City also highlighted the Brownwood Municipal Development District’s Building Improvement Incentive Program (BIIP), reporting $1.19 million in BMDD investment alongside $7.56 million in private investment over the life of the program, plus $3.6 million in pending downtown renovation projects already in progress for 2026.

Tourism and events continue to drive economic impact. Direct visitor spending increased to $38.5 million, reflecting a 29% increase since 2020. Sports tourism alone generated an estimated $3.1 million economic impact and included 57 events hosted. Brownwood will also serve as host destination for the NJCAA Division III Women’s National Basketball Championship in 2026 and 2028, the first time for the national championship to be hosted in Texas.

Mayor Haynes reported that the Brownwood Event Center Complex hosted 68 events with an average attendance of 233 in 2025, serving over 18,000 attendees, with 48 events already booked for 2026. The Brownwood Event Center Complex is a historic adaptive reuse project that opened in June 2024, creating a modern, flexible venue for conventions, community events, performances, meetings, and sporting events. The complex strengthens downtown activity, supports tourism and local business growth, and expands Brownwood’s capacity to host events that bring visitors and economic impact to the community.

The Mayor also celebrated Brownwood’s growing reputation as an events destination, including the Feels Like Home Festival’s continued growth and the 2026 “Save the Date” of October 3, 2026.

Parks and community facilities remain a major focus for quality-of-life investment, . The City highlighted the transformation of the first phase of Riverside Park, and continued investment in Riverside Park Phase II, supported by a $750,000 matching Texas Parks and Wildlife grant, including improvements ranging from walking trail extensions, overlooks pavilions along the bayou, expanded playscapes geared toward toddlers with shaded coverings, and additional safety features throughout the park. Construction for phase II will begin in March of 2026.

Additionally, the City announced progress toward the Bennie Houston Center renovation after receiving a $1.5 million matching grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife, the largest TPWD grant received by the City to date, with final design approval anticipated in summer 2026 and construction procurement targeted for fall 2026.

Leadership and partnership were central themes throughout the address, with recognition of City Council, City staff, and multiple leadership appointments and promotions across the organization.

“Brownwood’s direction is clear,” Mayor Haynes said. “We’re focused on delivering what matters most: reliability in core services, opportunity for growth, and gathering places that strengthen community.”

The City of Brownwood noted the presentation will be made available at brownwoodtexas.gov, along with a full video recording of the address to be posted the following week.