2024 Business of the Month

2024 Business of the Month is where we get to Showcase a supporter of our Chamber. Many businesses step up and Sponsor events or volunteer to help us grow. We salute you!

SWEPCO - November Business of the Month

SWEPCO, Shreveport, LA 

SWEPCO has been a loyal supporter and member of our Chamber for years and always makes sure we are taken care of if we need anything. Every day, the men and women of Southwestern Electric Power Company work to meet the expectations of our customers. Reliable increasingly clean energy. New solutions. Excellent customer service.

We know that individuals, families, businesses and communities rely on us. We recognize our special responsibility to more than half a million customers in Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas.

We build and maintain the electric grid - poles, wires, substations, power plants you often see, along with the new technology that is making the system smarter and more reliable. We are bringing more renewable energy, energy efficiency education and new technology to our customers.

You may know our linemen best as the face of the company, especially in the wake of powerful storms so common across our region. They are part of our SWEPCO team, more than 1,300 strong, serving our customers and communities 24/7. We are proud to be a part of those communities.

Folks may not realize that at one time, our business included ice, streetcars, water and gas. That's part of our rich history spanning more than a century of service. We're built on the combination of three companies - Shreveport Gas, Electric Light and Power Company, Caddo Gas and Oil Company, and Texarkana Gas and Electric Company - owned by a trio of brothers - Rufus, Henry and Charles Dawes.

The three combined their holdings in 1912, and Southwestern Gas and Electric Company was born. Forty-six years later, the company had exited its other businesses to focus on electricity, and the name changed to Southwestern Electric Power Company, one of four utilities owned by Central and Southwest Corporation. In 2000, CSW merged with American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP). Today SWEPCO is one of AEP's seven regional electric utilities.

Snapshot

• SWEPCO is an American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) company
• Service territory - Northwest and Central Louisiana, East Texas and the Texas Panhandle and Western Arkansas
• Customers - 552,665, including 235,287 in Louisiana, 191,296 in Texas and 126,082 in Arkansas
• Headquarters - Shreveport, Louisiana
• Transmission system - 4,128 miles
• Distribution system - 25,526 miles
• SWEPCO generation capacity - 4,916 MW which includes a diverse generation portfolio: Natural Gas | Coal | Lignite | Wind

Texarkana College - September Business of the Month

Texarkana College, 2500 N Robison Rd, Texarkana, TX 75599

Texarkana College is For Everyone- A Great Place to Start or Start Over!

Texarkana College (TC) is nearing its 100th anniversary in 2027 as our region’s premier community college and is proud to celebrate its century-long success in preparing students for successful careers through workforce training, their first two years of a bachelor’s degree, and brighter futures for themselves and their families. Known as a “Great Place to Start or Start Over,” TC serves as the educational foundation of our region’s workforce including nurses and healthcare professionals, teachers, business owners, and service providers for our homes, automobiles, beauty industry, restaurants, and office careers. Always looking at the needs of our regional employers, TC responds by providing a curriculum that is relevant, competitive, and prepares students for employment in a financially rewarding and personally fulfilling career field.

As a place to start, more than 2,600 area students are taking college-level courses this year while in high school through TC’s Dual Credit program. New Texas legislation now provides educationally disadvantaged high school students with the opportunity to enroll in college-level courses at no cost. The new funding program referred to as FAST (Financial Aid for Swift Transfer) provides affordable access to college-level courses to more high school students than ever before and is saving families thousands of dollars in college tuition. High school students can complete their core classes for transfer to a university, or even fully complete an associate degree or workforce certificate while in high school. At New Boston High School last year, students enrolled in 348 dual credit courses. The combined savings on cost of attendance for dual credit students compared to what the cost would be for the same amount of courses taken at a Texas public university amounted to $963,960. In 2023-24 dual credit students at New Boston High School earned on average 12 semester credit hours (or four college-level courses).

For adult students, starting over in a career field or getting back in the swing of studying can be challenging. At TC, we specialize in helping students who are just starting college for the first time, starting over after dropping out or changing their career goals, or who are the first in their families to attend college. TC has financial assistance available for adult students to start their journey toward completion of a degree or workforce certification.

If you are looking to train in a specific field such as nursing, cosmetology, culinary, automotive technology or auto body repair, HVAC, welding, electrical technology, or professional office careers, TC has short certificate and degree programs that prepare you to efficiently enter the workforce. If you are looking to earn a bachelor's degree, starting at TC for your first two years can save you thousands of dollars and help you get started with a firm foundation in building up your studying skills, adjustment to the rigor of college courses, and access to tutoring and support services to help you be successful. Classes at TC have a family feel about them, and instructors with years of experience love what they do and want students to succeed. If you ask students around campus what it is like to be a student at TC, they are likely to say it feels like family here.

TC has rolled out several exciting new courses including an Esthetician and Barber program through our Cosmetology school, and an Aviation Mechanics Technology program set to begin in January 2025 that is in partnership with the Texarkana Regional Airport. These new fields of study are helping fill the workforce need for specialists in these careers. Students who enroll in the Aviation Mechanics Technology program can look forward to high earning opportunities within the aviation industry both locally and around the world.

If you are looking for a place to enroll in a quick-start course that leads to a skill or boosts your knowledge about an interest or hobby, TC’s Community & Business Education Division offers personal enrichment courses, fitness classes, skills training courses in technology, and allied health courses that help you earn the skills to jump start your career. TC also has a professional truck driving/ CDL training program, and the world’s most sought-after bladesmithing school- The Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing.

Whether you are just starting, or wanting to start over, Texarkana College is the place for you. Find more information about how to enroll at www.texarkanacollege.edu

Boston Entertainment District - August Business of the Month

Boston Entertainment District, New Boston, TX - 903-556-9476

This awesome group of local New Boston volunteers are getting everything ready for our next Annual Pioneer Days - 2024! Last year they partnered with our Chamber of Commerce and took over all the arrangements and details for our Pioneer Days. It was probably the biggest and best run event ever. We’re so proud of them stepping up and doing this for us and our great citizens of our area.

We draw people for the Rodeo and our Pioneer Days for miles around. As far as we’re concerned, they deserve the Business of the month every August!


Be sure to enjoy the Rodeo at the New Boston Round-Up Club, on Daniels Chapel Road on Friday August 9 & 10 at 8 pm. Then, hang on for another great Pioneer Days from Sunday August 11 till the finale concert on Saturday night, August 17.

Details on our NewBostonTX.org website They can be reached at: 903-556-9476

Crumps Clean Up - June Business of the Month

Crumps Clean Up, 310 SE Front St., New Boston, TX 75570 ~ 903-628-9257

“Making cars shine built our reputation”. Mike Crump of Crump’s Clean Up has been detailing cars since he was 9 years old. He first learned while helping his grandmother wash and wax her car. He soon moved on to his bicycle. She shined all through the neighborhood. Word got out about this young man and by 12 years old he was washing and waxing cars and motorcycles and earning some money. At 15 years old Mike had the chance to wash Durwood Merrill’s car. He was an umpire in Major League Baseball.

Mike has been at 310 SE Front St, New Boston, TX for 40 years. His wife Roxann joined him about 15 years ago. The two of them really put in the effort to satisfy their customers. So much so that his regulars book their appointments out for the entire year. Looking at his schedule, he is completely full for June and has maybe 2 or 3 spots open in July. August is filling up fast! Mike showed me a SUV that they had done, and boy was it clean.

On their regular wash jobs, they also clean the inside including the vents, vacuum, clean the seats. Because of the time and detail they put into each vehicle, they can only do 3 cars a day. Mike’s favorite car to detail is his personal Roush 427R Mustang. He cleans it from top to bottom, every inch is shiny. He has won more than 164 awards with this car alone. He participates in car shows all over the area.

Crump’s does not only do washing and detailing, they also offer ceramic coating to protect the paint on your car. Loyal customers and customer service are what makes small businesses survive. Crump’s has approximately 20 customers that will book their appointments all through the year at one time. They don’t want to lose their spot. In the words of Mike Crump, “Customers are like family”

Call Crump’s Clean Up at 903-628-9257 They're OPEN Monday – Friday 8-5

Mike and Roxann Crump

Maria's Tex-Mex - May Business of the Month - Cinco de Mayo!

Maria's Tex-Mex, 115 NE Front St., New Boston, TX 75570

Maria’s Tex-Mex is a family owned and operated restaurant that opened on March 24, 2014, in New Boston, TX. Maria’s employs approximately 23 people including Maria, her husband Israel, and her brother.

As one of only 2 restaurants in New Boston that are open on a Monday, Maria’s is a town favorite. Many local businesses enjoy lunch in one of the 3 rooms that is provided along with the main dining area. And as one of those businesses that go on an hour lunch break, I can say that they get you in and out because they understand that everyone’s time is important. Most of the employees know your face as soon as you walk in. It speaks volumes when you open the door and Maria asks if it’s all of you eating today and she takes you straight back to your regular room to be seated. And when your favorite waitress comes, she knows most of your drink orders and food orders without even asking. Not only are they a good place to eat, but it is a great family atmosphere.

If you read reviews on line you will see things such as “I usually don't like Tex-Mex but this place is amazing”, “New Boston’s hidden gem”, “Always great service with delicious eats! Definitely recommend the Chicken Monterey! We drive an hour (one direction) just to eat at Maria's”. These reviews alone should tell you what a great place Maria’s is to dine.

There is a wide variety of food offered along with daily specials. Go try the Hawaiian fajitas! They are amazing.

Maria's is Open Monday thru Saturday 11am till 9 pm and Sunday from 11 am till 3 pm. They can be reached at: 903-628-5084

Bates-Rolf Funeral Home - March 2024 Business of the Month

LR: Paula Cole, Louis "Buzzey" Terrell & Erica Martin

Bates-Rolf Funeral Home, 502 S. McCoy Blvd., New Boston, TX 75570

Bates-Rolf Funeral Home has been an integral part of the New Boston community for many decades. As part of Texarkana Funeral Home, Bates-Rolf has the privilege of being connected to the only system in Bowie County that owns their own crematory, monument company, and cemetery.

Employing 3 full-time and 2 part-time employees, Bates-Rolf offers many services including pre-planning. Paula Cole, Office Manager, highly recommends pre-planning. When you pre-plan, you lock everything in at today’s prices. Doing this could let you end up saving more than you spend and gives your family the privilege of honoring you the way you deserve to be honored. It also takes the heavy burden off of your loved ones when the time comes. The average funeral can end up costing upwards of $9,000. And cremation averages around $4,000.

Bates-Rolf is available 365 days a year 24 hours a day. Funerals are the last special thing you can do for your loved one and from personal experience, the staff at Bates-Rolf will go out of their way to help you make sure that happens. It is very important that you have someone that you trust to carry out your last wishes and that knows all of your personal information. The staff at Bates-Rolf is here to help honor your loved one and make positive memories. It is their job to make the difficult time easier on the family.

If you are interested in getting into the Mortuary Science field, the University of Arkansas at Hope does offer these classes. They are also available at the UA of Hope extension in Texarkana, Arkansas.

Go see Louis “Buzzy” Terrell, Manager/Funeral Director, Erica Martin, Funeral Director, Paula Cole, Office Manager, and the rest of the staff at Bates-Rolf Funeral Home for all of your funeral needs. They can be reached at: 903-628-2511

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