Palacios Chamber of Commerce August 2026 Newsletter August 28, 2026 To Promote and Improve Economic Growth and Quality of Life in Our Community Business of the Month Main Street Car & Boat Wash Owners: Alan & Donna Schulman 113 Main St. “We never expected to make a lot of money from the car wash, and while that turned out to be true, we do feel that we are achieving our goal of providing a clean, attractive place for everyone to wash their cars and boats.”-Alan Schulman

August Palacios Chamber Newsletter Inside This Issue 3 — Why Economic Development Matters Brandi Garcia West on jobs, investment, environmental stewardship and creating opportunity close to home. — Wake Up Wednesday: What We Heard Community feedback on tourism, the waterfront, infrastructure, business processes, communication and collaboration. Six Local Businesses; One Palacios Investment A one-page look at the proposed Deluxe Inn revitalization and its local-first economic impact. Stand With Texas Shrimpers Why S. 4863 matters locally, who to call and how the Chamber is helping residents make their voices heard. Welcome New Members! Welcome! Why Join the Chamber? Member Services Warriors Weekend: Boat Captains Needed Palacios has an opportunity to show veterans appreciation through a day on the water on Nov. 14. Pedal Palacios: Sponsorships Open Oct. 24 ride sponsorship levels and the new children’s bicycle charity team-building opportunity. 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 2

3 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Feature Article from Chamber ED Why Economic Development Matters to the Future of Palacios Published in the Palacios Beacon By Brandi Garcia West, Executive Director, Palacios Chamber of Commerce The mission of the Palacios Chamber of Commerce is simple yet incredibly important: to promote economic development and enhance the quality of life in Palacios. Those words are more than a mission statement—they are a shared commitment to the future of our community. Palacios is a place where roots run deep. Families here care deeply about one another, about their children’s future, and about preserving the character of the town we all call Home. That shared love for community is what makes conversations about economic development so important. Economic development is often misunderstood. Some hear the phrase and immediately think of large corporations or tax incentives. But at its core, it is much broader than that. It is about families having access to stable careers that allow them to build homes and invest locally. It is about local businesses seeing growth because more people are living, working, and spending in Palacios. It is about young people being able to return home after school or training because meaningful opportunities exist here. It is about creating a future where opportunity is not something people have to leave town to find. Economic development is ultimately about creating hope through opportunity. One topic that often generates discussion is tax abatements. Like any public policy, they deserve thoughtful consideration and transparency. When used responsibly, they can be one of several tools that help communities like ours remain competitive while encouraging significant private investment, job creation, and long-term economic benefit. Rural communities are not competing with nearby towns alone—they are competing with regions across Texas, specifically the Gulf Coast and beyond. Strategic tools help level that playing field while ensuring that companies making large-scale investments also contribute meaningfully to the local economy. Matagorda County has already seen how responsible industrial investment can make a difference. Companies such as Tenaris have helped create quality manufacturing careers while also investing in students through scholarships, workforce development, and educational partnerships. South Texas Project has provided long-term, high-paying careers while supporting local schools, nonprofit organizations, and community programs. These industries also operate under strict environmental regulations and continue to invest in sustainability efforts that help protect the coastal resources that define this region. The impact of these investments extends far beyond the companies themselves. They support local restaurants, retail shops, contractors, hotels, healthcare providers, educators, and countless small businesses. They strengthen the tax base, help fund essential public services, and create a ripple effect of opportunity throughout the community. Interested in Providing Expert Advice? Purchase this space in our next month’s newsletter and have it published in the Palacios Beacon for only $200. Chamber Executive Director reserves the right to decide to accept your proposal.

4 Chamber in Action Palacios Chamber of Commerce • Promoting Economic Development & Quality of Life General Membership Luncheon at City of Palacios Educational Pavilion Brittany Matthews: Deputy Director & Forensic Interviewer The Crisis Center educated all at Luncheon. Social Media love to several but a nice picture of Lacie @ Laurel Blooms & Gifts Huyen Tran, Palacios Community Medical Center Administrator at The Cove @ Pirate Queen Designs hosted by members: Ron Linton w/ Team Linton Real Estate & Emily Fagan-Baker , Executive Director of Palacios Community Hub. Fagan-Baker again as Rotary Club of Palacios President at the Cove welcoming Warrior’s Weekend.

WAKE UP WEDNESDAY @ MIKE’S ON MAIN Community Survey Questions distributed... 5 • Communicate in person and ensure agendas are published earlier.

6 Chamber in Action (Ask me how the PEDC can help you) ***PROPOSED***Business Retention, Tourism and Property Revitalization Project written by the Palacios Chamber of Commerce on behalf member: The Deluxe Inn to the Palacios Economic Development Corporation. Why This Matters to Palacios The Deluxe Inn is an existing tourism asset and commercial property located along a highly visible corridor in Palacios. Revitalizing the property will: ✓ Retain an existing Palacios business ✓ Create at least one new local job ✓ Economically impact at least six local businesses ✓ Improve 43 rooms of local lodging inventory ✓ Support tourism and overnight visitation ✓ Increase private investment in Palacios ✓ Improve the appearance of the First Street corridor ✓ Support local restaurants, retailers and attractions through visitor spending ✓ Improve energy efficiency and the productive life of the property ✓ Help protect and potentially increase taxable property value PEDC assistance would leverage substantial private investment while producing benefits that reach beyond a single property. An investment in the Deluxe Inn is an investment in Palacios tourism, local businesses, employment and the continued revitalization of our community The Chamber mission in action: supporting small business, encouraging entrepreneurship, promoting tourism, celebrating local history and advocating for initiatives that improve quality of life. ONE PROJECT ONE NEW JOB 43 ROOMS REVITALIZED Economically impacting: Deluxe Inn New Frontier Gallery Pirate Queen Designs Porter’s Ace Hardware Reddy Air Conditioning Screaming Seagulls Interested in Advertising on the Chamber Newsletter? Call 361/972-2615 to inquire about possibilities. Limited space! ***PROPOSED***

7 The Palacios Chamber of Commerce took a stand to show solidarity with Palacios’ Working Waterfront Needing a Strong Voice High fuel prices and low shrimp prices are putting pressure on Gulf Coast shrimpers and the businesses that depend on them. In our community shrimping supports far more than the boats—it supports processors, fuel suppliers, marine businesses, restaurants, retailers, tourism and local families. Support, advance and pass the Save Our Shrimpers Act, S. 4863, which addresses taxpayer-backed financing that may help foreign shrimp competitors. Call Today Sen. Ted Cruz: 202-224-5922 Sen. John Cornyn: 202-224-2934 Senate Foreign Relations Committee: 202-224-4651 30-Second Message “Hello, my name is __________ and I’m calling from __________, Texas. I’m asking Senator __________ to support and advance S. 4863, the Save Our Shrimpers Act. High fuel prices and low shrimp prices are forcing shrimpers to dock their vessels, putting working families, coastal jobs and local economies at risk. Please help move this bill forward. Thank you.” Letters Available at the Chamber The Palacios Chamber of Commerce has fillable citizen support letters available for residents who want to mail Texas senators and ensure Palacios’ voice is heard. Pick up a letter: 420 Main St., Palacios, TX 77465 Chamber Advocacy Stand with Texas Advocacy: SAVE OUR SHRIMPERS ACT • S. 4863 Do you have a legislative issue that needs to be addressed by local, county, state, or federal government? The Palacios Chamber of Commerce is here to help. Please contact Brandi at the Chamber office at 361-972-2615 to discuss how we can assist you.

7 Welome New Members NEW MEMBERS RECOGNIZED AT THE AUGUST 6TH GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING The St Claude Inn & Social House, Business Check it out! www.thestc laude.com Matagorda County Seawall Commission, Public Entity Check it out! palaciosseawal l.org Palacios Paddlers: Bonnie Benson & Barbara Shepler Check it out! htt ps://t p wd.te xas.go v/boat ing/padd ling-t r ails/gulf-coast/ palacios/ As the only chef-owned + operated lodgings on the Texas coast, at The St Claude the focus is on food. Hosts Eric + Martine Pèlegrin—late of Houston’s La Mora, Austin’s beloved Chez Nous, Bistro Le Marseillais + the original Whip-in— invite guests to enjoy internationally-influenced meals lovingly prepared + sourced from local waters, farms + ranches. Join other guests in the convivial dining room or enjoy your meals in the comfort + privacy of your own room. The Matagorda County-Palacios Seawall Commission provides construction and maintenance of seawalls in precinct #3 in Matagorda County, the City of Palacios and Collegeport. Our Commission meetings are held monthly and open to the public. The scenic Palacios Paddling Trails offer paddlers four different trails, from 2 to 10 miles in length, to experience unique coastal, river, and wetland environments and their associated wildlife. Choose your coastal adventure by paddling the Tres Palacios River Trail, The City by the Sea Trail, Palacios Wetlands Trail, or the Dolphin Run Trail!

8 PYFL Board Members: •President:Jay Garza •Vice President & Cheer Director:Marissa Killings •Estela Garza, Lisa Nguyen, Synthia Barrios, Jesse Barrios, Brittni Guerrero, Vilma Diaz, Celeste Padron, Gerry Constancio, Josh Kennedy, Rudy Medrano Palacios Youth Football League, Non-Prof it Check it out! On Facebook Sanford Community Center, Non-Prof it Check it out! On Facebook Individual Members Joanne Estopinal Mick Schieb Stacy Watkins Joanne Estopinal A Community Affair, A Community Effort, A Community Center Open: Tue-Sat. 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. For Information Call: 361-554-3001 Continued...

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O u t r i g g e r E v e n t s FAB!- The Ultimate Beatles Cover Band Saturday- Nov 7 @ 7:30 p.m. Texas Tide- A Jimmy Buffet Tribute Band Sunday - Sept. 6 @ 7:30 p.m. at the Palacios Pavilion proudly presents Events are BYOB only Thank You to Pedal Palacios Sponsors so far... Mr. & Mrs. Singer Formosa First Financial Bank Palacios Dental Center Tractor Supply Company 10

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