Brownwood Designated as Music Friendly Texas Certified Community
Governor Greg Abbott has announced that Brownwood, Texas, has been officially designated as a Music Friendly Texas Certified Community by the Texas Music Office (TMO). This recognition follows Brownwood’s successful completion of a comprehensive certification process aimed at enhancing music-related economic development and job creation.
The Music Friendly Texas program, introduced in 2016, is the first of its kind in the nation. It is designed to support and promote the music industry across Texas, which currently supports over 196,000 direct and indirect jobs and generates more than $31 billion in annual economic activity.
Governor Abbott expressed his congratulations to Brownwood, emphasizing the importance of the music industry in driving economic growth in Texas. He stated, “Together, we will continue to work alongside communities in every region of our state to create good-paying jobs and boost economic growth.”
Brownwood has not only achieved the Music Friendly designation but also holds the title of a Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community. This dual recognition reflects the city’s commitment to fostering growth in both tourism and music.
Senator Phil King also congratulated Brownwood, noting its historical significance as a hub for Texas music. He highlighted that the newly constructed Brownwood Event Center has played a crucial role in enhancing the city’s musical offerings and looks forward to increased community engagement stemming from this certification.
City officials expressed their enthusiasm about the designation. Mayor Stephen E. Haynes remarked, “This will help Brownwood achieve improved visibility of our music assets and help heighten our tourism and quality of life offerings throughout the community.”
Deputy City Manager Ray Tipton pointed out that the certification will facilitate better coordination within the local music scene, ultimately benefiting various live music events. He stated, “This will be a huge benefit in helping develop and improve many of our live music events.”
Eric Evans, Managing Director of the Brownwood Lyric Theatre, emphasized the power of partnerships in rural communities. He believes that the Music Friendly Texas Certified Community designation fosters collaboration among local entities, businesses, and musicians, ultimately aiming to enhance the overall community experience.
The official Music Friendly Texas Community Certification Ceremony is set for Saturday, December 13, during Brownwood’s Yuletide Express: A Vintage Christmas Journey event. The ceremony will take place at the Lehnis Railroad Museum and Visitor Center, and will feature city officials and community leaders, with the presentation led by TMO Community Relations and Outreach Specialist Gini Mascorro.
Brownwood is now the 92nd community to receive the Music Friendly Texas designation. For more information about the Music Friendly Texas program, visit this link and see how it contributes to the growth of Texas’s music industry and community engagement.