Governor’s Outstanding Innovator Award
Emporium Packaging & Spice Company - The Walker Family

Emporium Packaging & Spice Company is a family-owned business established in 1974 when they served the first bowls of Emporium Chili “deep in the Heart of Texas” in the small town of Temple. Almost immediately, customers wanted the ability to prepare and serve Emporium Chili in their homes. So, they created, packaged, and began to sell a spice mix that was simple, quick and easy to customize to individual tastes with separate salt and “fire” packs. At about the same time, Emporium Chili Mix was in demand by restaurants, so they packaged and sold the Emporium Chili Mix to restaurants in large, institutional sizes. Over time, the operation has evolved to create custom spice blends to include bread mixes, soups, seasonings and more for some of the finest restaurant chains in the United States. The original Emporium Chili Mix is available on Texas-based grocery store shelves. Plus, varieties of mixes and products are available online and in the retail space inside the production facility in Temple.

​Governor’s Outstanding Historically Underutilized Business Award
3 Texans Winery & Vineyard - Kim Langston & Lauryn Austin
 
3 Texans is a female owned, family-run vineyard and winery located in Temple, Texas. They started back in 2009 with the original planting of 4,000 grapevines. An additional 1,000 plants were added in 2015. Another 700 in 2020 along with a lot of learning and growth over the years! Kim Langston has become a local icon, inspiring women all around our community.

Governor’s Outstanding Community Partner Award
Temple Machine Shop, Inc. - Lester Fettig & Michelle DiGaetano
 
TMS Hydraulics knows the importance of connecting with the community with their President (Michelle DiGaetano) and General Manager (Lester Fettig) involved with the Temple Chamber of Commerce, Temple EDC, Temple Community Clinic, Lions Club, Altrusa, City Planning and Zoning, Temple Airport Advisory, RZ#1 (Reinvestment Zone), and other local organizations. TMS Hydraulics has partnered with Temple ISD to support their "Career and Technical Education" Center since 2014. As part of the curriculum, students come to TMS during the semester, once or twice a week for a couple of hours, are partnered with a Mentor, rotate through the departments to gain “On the Job” (OJT) training to prepare for the workforce before their graduation. This supports the growing demand for skilled manufactural labor in the Temple community. TMS Hydraulics also donated a Mill for use by 7th and 8th graders in the TISD Industrial Arts Program. TMS also offers 7th and 8th grade students the chance to visit their facility; thereby, offering them a realistic job preview. Recently, TMS Hydraulics began working with the Belton ISD CTE Advisory Committee to assist with enhancing their program to translate real world manufacturing opportunities.

​Small business owners gathered at the Cultural Activities Center on May 4 for Governor Abbot’s Small Business Summit. Temple was selected as the kickoff location for the series held throughout Texas and designed to help small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs.
 
"Small businesses have made Texas the economic legend that we are today, and people from across America continue moving to our state in droves to take advantage of the unique freedom and opportunity only offered in our great state,” said Governor Abbott in a press release announcing the summits.
 
The event garnered more than 200 registrants to gain critical insights from business owners and industry experts. Emceed by Lindsay Spinetto, KCEN TV Channel 6 news anchor, the summit began with a welcome, and opening remarks from Temple Chamber President Rod Henry. Aaron Demerson, the Commissioner Representing Employers for the Texas Workforce Commission, was the Guest Speaker prior to a series of panel discussions.
 
Lindsay Francis of the City of Temple moderated the Marketing & E-Commerce Essentials panel, which featured local business owner H.B. Macey of Perry Office Plus. Macey advised that while consumers prefer cheap, fast, and good, most times, a product can only be two of the three. He also explained that while Perry Office Plus is a local business, they operate in multiple states, not just Texas, to illustrate that small businesses don’t have to limit their operations to a small area.
 
The Workforce Development panel, moderated by Susan Kamas, Executive Director of Workforce Solutions of Central Texas, included the organization’s Director of Industry/Education Partnerships, Charley Ayres, Reynolds Consumer Products Human Resource Manager Karen Poe, and Vice President of Workforce Development at Temple College, DeDe Griffith. Giffith discussed the importance of businesses partnering with local community colleges to build and maintain an educated workforce; Ayres highlighted benefits offered by the state for companies that employ student workers.
 
Another panel, Finance & Funding, moderated by University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Dean of McLane College Dr. Ken Smith, included Business Advisor of McLennan Small Business Development Center Jason Ehler, Extraco Bank Executive Vice President Jason Collier, and Coley Group President Art Coley. The main takeaway of the panel: how business owners manage their personal finances is a good indicator of how they will manage the business's finances. Panelists encouraged business owners seeking a loan to be prepared to scale back on personal luxuries to uncover already available funds.
 
The final panel focused on Cybersecurity. Moderated by McLane Intelligent Solutions CEO Tracy Morris, the panel included insights from the Texas Department of Information Resources Deputy CISO/ TX Cybersecurity Coordinator Jeremy Wilson, University of Mary-Hardin Baylor Assistant Professor of Business Information Systems Dr. Jean Baptiste Koffi, and Centex Technologies Chief Technology Officer John Hocking. With the ever-evolving landscape of tech, the takeaway from this panel was ultimately to stay vigilant when protecting yourself and your organization from cyber threats.
 
Drayton McLane, Jr., Chairman of McLane Group, provided the Keynote Presentation.
 
The summit also recognized and celebrated the contributions of four local small businesses, highlighting their achievements and showcasing their success stories.
 
With a focus on empowerment and growth, the Governor's Small Business Summit in Temple was a must-attend event for entrepreneurs and business owners looking to take their businesses to the next level.
 
The summit was sponsored by Meta, Extraco Banks, Niagra Bottling Company, and Polar Bottling Company. Guests were treated to breakfast from RosieJo Meals and lunch and desserts from Wings Pizza 'N Things.

​Despite the inclement weather, members of the business community turned out in full force for the Business After Hours event hosted and sponsored by Discover Downtown Temple on April 20.
 
Attendees were treated to an array of delicious food and beverages from local Downtown businesses, while networking and making valuable connections with fellow Members. The event was a huge success, thanks to the efforts of Discover Downtown Temple, who provided a warm and welcoming atmosphere for all.
 
If you have not visited Downtown Temple recently, now is the time as it is going through an exciting renovation and revitalization. Downtown Temple features unique architecture, boutiques, locally owned restaurants, museums, and nightlife. From morning brunch to evening drinks during a piano show, Downtown Temple has plenty to see and do. Discover and experience what downtown Temple is all about.
 
This After Hours is just one example of the many exciting events that the Temple Chamber hosts throughout the year, providing Members with numerous opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals, support local businesses, and contribute to the growth and vitality of the community.
 
If you missed this one, we captured the spirit, fun, and fellowship in photos for you to enjoy!