This is the first time College Station Communications Director Jay Socol has interviewed Economic Development Director Natalie Ruiz since the pandemic changed everything. In spite of the local, state and federal funding put into the hands of local businesses, we still lost far too many. So, now what? In this episode, Natalie talks about her dual role of supporting local businesses while aggressively working to bring in more jobs that diversify College Station's economy. She also explains how her office's brand-new tourism division aims to bring people to College Station at a time when there is still a reluctance to travel, attend events and visit destinations. Also in this episode is Economic Development Manager Aubrey Nettles, who is leading a holiday campaign to make College Station the Christmas destination in Texas, thanks in large part to a strategic partnership with Santa's Wonderland.  Nat finishes up with a few fun biz updates on things coming soon to College Station. All Up In Your Business is now available via: Podbean Apple Podcasts Google Play iHeartRadio Spotify Stitcher YouTube Transcript + video link: https://bit.ly/2HBTfUo Please subscribe, rate and recommend! Have a suggestion for a future topic or interview, or just want to say hi? Send to jsocol@cstx.gov. 

All Up In Your Business

All Up In Your Business: How tourism can fuel business recovery

After a multi-month, coronavirus-inspired break, we're back -- this time with a special miniseries: Four episodes that focus on the College Station's proposed budget for fiscal year 2021. We're calling it All Up In Your Budget. The idea is to take a 330-page budget document and explain the big ideas in it, the changes caused by this health and economic crisis, how sustainable we think those are and what it means to our residents. This is a budget year like no other and we want to make sure that residents and taxpayers understand what's in it, what's not in it and why.   Fiscal Services Director Mary Ellen Leonard Communications Director Jay Socol   Episode-1: Conditions Episode-3: Expenses Episode-4: Capital projects and tourism   View the entire proposed budget document at cstx.gov/budget

All Up In Your Budget - Ep. 2 (Revenues)

After a multi-month, coronavirus-inspired break, we're back -- this time with a special miniseries: Four episodes that focus on the College Station's proposed budget for fiscal year 2021. We're calling it All Up In Your Budget. The idea is to take a 330-page budget document and explain the big ideas in it, the changes caused by this health and economic crisis, how sustainable we think those are and what it means to our residents. This is a budget year like no other and we want to make sure that residents and taxpayers understand what's in it, what's not in it and why.   Fiscal Services Director Mary Ellen Leonard Communications Director Jay Socol   Episode-2: Revenues Episode-3: Expenses Episode-4: Capital projects and tourism   You can view the entire proposed budget document at cstx.gov/budget.

All Up In Your Budget - Ep. 1 (What we're dealing with)

After a multi-month, coronavirus-inspired break, we're back -- this time with a special miniseries: Four episodes that focus on the College Station's proposed budget for fiscal year 2021. We're calling it All Up In Your Budget. The idea is to take a 330-page budget document and explain the big ideas in it, the changes caused by this health and economic crisis, how sustainable we think those are and what it means to our residents. This is a budget year like no other and we want to make sure that residents and taxpayers understand what's in it, what's not in it and why.   Fiscal Services Director Mary Ellen Leonard Communications Director Jay Socol   Episode-1: Conditions Episode-2: Revenues Episode-4: Capital projects and tourism   View the entire proposed budget document at cstx.gov/budget

All Up In Your Budget - Ep. 3 (Expenses)

After a multi-month, coronavirus-inspired break, we're back -- this time with a special miniseries: Four episodes that focus on the College Station's proposed budget for fiscal year 2021. We're calling it All Up In Your Budget. The idea is to take a 330-page budget document and explain the big ideas in it, the changes caused by this health and economic crisis, how sustainable we think those are and what it means to our residents. This is a budget year like no other and we want to make sure that residents and taxpayers understand what's in it, what's not in it and why.   Fiscal Services Director Mary Ellen Leonard Communications Director Jay Socol   Episode-1: Conditions Episode-2: Revenues Episode-3: Expenses   View the entire proposed budget document at cstx.gov/budget

All Up In Your Budget - Ep. 4 (Capital projects, tourism)

The Dallis family has operated some of the most-iconic food and beverage destinations in College Station. Cafe Eccell may be their best-known restaurant, but they recently entered the highly competitive burger market through their new concept Burger Mojo. In this episode, Economic Development Director Natalie Ruiz and Communications Director Jay Socol talk to Costa and Andreas Dallis about their legacy of business ventures and how difficult it is to remain relevant in a fast-growing, student-driven community. They even explain why they believe a burger joint in close proximity to so many other burger joints has a solid chance. Meanwhile, Natalie also talks about the importance of redeveloping older commercial areas in College Station, and how her office has seen early success and is continuing that focus. All Up In Your Business is now available via: Podbean Apple Podcasts Google Play iHeartRadio Spotify Stitcher YouTube Please subscribe, rate and recommend! Have a suggestion for a future topic or interview, or just want to say hi? Send to jsocol@cstx.gov. 

All Up In Your Business: Dallis family/Burger Mojo

Who better to open a Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux in College Station than a former walk-on to the Texas A&M football team? Cory ('08) and Jenny ('01) Davis are poised to open their business in south College Station -- their first foray into the restaurant business -- and talk about how College Station was the only city they ever considered for such a major endeavor. Also in this episode, Economic Development Director Natalie Ruiz and Communications Director Jay Socol talk about how the City of College Station sometimes spots opportunities to help new businesses or developers find just the right location for whatever they want to bring to the market. Finally, Nat shares updated info on some additional restaurants under development in south College Station or, as Jay calls it... "SoCol." All Up In Your Business is now available via: Podbean Apple Podcasts Google Play Spotify Stitcher Please subscribe, rate and recommend!

All Up In Your Business: Walk-On's

In terms of economic development, 2019 was a heckuva year for College Station. Economic Development Director Natalie Ruiz -- who recently was recognized in public for the first time due to this podcast (such a diva) -- and Communications Director Jay Socol reflect on some of the successes (and near-misses) from the past year + look ahead at what 2020 might bring in terms of new jobs and a diversified economy for College Station. Among the broad topics: 2020 bringing more focus to Northgate Why a grocer or Target near Northgate makes sense More quality jobs from FUJIFILM Dyosynth Biotechnologies What the former Sears location might become When CS and Texas A&M are chasing the same amenities "The big beaver nugget in the room" Nat finally announces Jay's preferred coffee fix is on the way! Video version + transcript: http://bit.ly/2Q8Dw11 All Up In Your Business is now available via: Podbean Apple Podcasts Google Play Spotify Stitcher Please subscribe, rate and recommend!

All Up In Your 2020 (The FujiDunkinMacAndCheeseBuc-ee's Episode)

We hear it all the time: "Hey, College Station, how come you don't bring a [fill in the blank] to town?" Or the other side of that is, "Hey, bozos, why do you keep bringing more [fill in the blank] to our city?" First, some of you have anger issues. Seriously, though, a lot of people don't understand: What the city can be credited for bringing to town What the city should not be credited/blamed for bringing to town What our economic development staff is actively recruiting to CS  In this episode of AUIYB, College Station Economic Development Director Natalie Ruiz and Communications Director Jay Socol discuss all these points, as well as some things about Post Oak Mall you may not have known. (cliff-hanger!) ** Click here for video pod and show transcript ** Subscribe (rate, review, recommend...) to All Up In Your Business at your favorite podcast source: Apple Podcasts Google Play Spotify Stitcher Podbean Send questions and comments to jsocol@cstx.gov Learn more about locating your business or HQ in College Station by visiting grow.cstx.gov. 

College Station Eco-Devo 101

In this podcast episode, College Station Economic Development Director Natalie Ruiz returns to talk about new restaurants, office space, commercial growth and more. Natalie and Communications Director Jay Socol also dive into an email from a pod listener (we have one!) who expressed concerns about what feels like constant expansion in College Station. You can submit a question or comment, too: jsocol@cstx.gov  Video version + transcript: https://youtu.be/tGBSkp0BW2k All Up In Your Business is now available via: Podbean Apple Podcasts/iTunes Google Play Spotify Stitcher Please subscribe, rate and recommend!

All Up In Your Business: Breakfast you'll be la Gladeleine about

If you've lived in College Station or Bryan more than a minute, then you probably know about the Culpepper family. If not, then you're certainly living, shopping, dining or being entertained in spaces that were developed by the Culpeppers. President/CEO of Culpepper Realty Co. Jack Culpepper, and General Counsel Larry Haskins talked about the beginnings of the family business, its early successes throughout the twin cities (and beyond) -- and even gave some hints about their next redevelopment moves on property just across from Texas A&M. Hint: Think of the space where IHOP, Schlotzsky's and Hurricane Harry's are located -- across from Century Square. There's great insight from a family that's already invested in College Station for nine decades, with its fourth generation already working on the next big announcement. Video version + transcript: https://youtu.be/-UdYJS5KJX0 All Up In Your Business is now available via: Podbean Apple Podcasts/iTunes Google Play Spotify Stitcher Please subscribe, rate and recommend!

The Culpeppers: Legacy residential, retail developers who still have plans

College Station Economic Development Director Natalie Ruiz and Communications Director Jay Socol have a jaunty (thanks, thesaurus!) discussion about some businesses either recently on the ground or at least have a really good shot at it. But they also talk about one that appeared to be a sure thing until...it wasn't: Gringo's. Back in aspirational mode, Nat explains how genuine the interest is from Buc-ee's in a College Station location vs. her own wishful thinking. Also discussed: Why it matters so much that extensions to Lakeway Drive and Pebble Creek Parkway are now open (hint: Midtown). And for those brave enough to sample the video version of this episode, we apologize profusely for obscuring Nat's face with the new microphone. A partial Nat eclipse was definitely visible to the naked eye. Video version + transcript

What's coming to CS + real talk about Gringo's and Buc-ee's

Like BBQ, burgers, tacos -- or any other food type you can think of - donuts are a pretty personal thing for people. College Station has a variety of options, all with loyal followings. But long-suffering fans of Krispy Kreme can finally rejoice: The red light of happiness is in Aggieland. Franchisee Brian Davis doesn't have the typical connection with College Station or with Texas A&M University. He talked to us about why he chose College Station, why the Harvey Road location was actually his second choice, how it takes nearly 100 people to operate a single location, and how he plans on giving back to a community that he's only spent limited time in. Video version + transcript: https://youtu.be/5trKMOR7c7g​ We hope you enjoy this first episode of All Up In Your Business, and we hope you'll subscribe, rate, review and recommend.   Jay Socol, Communications Director Natalie Ruiz, Economic Development Director

How Krispy Kreme finally came to CS

For those of you who listened to a previous podcast series about economic development in College Station, Texas -- "Is This A Thing?" -- we now bring you something new. Our reinvented podcast, "All Up In Your Business," will still bring focus to what's coming to College Station and what's not + feature deep-dive discussions with those who are bringing new development to our city. But "All Up" will also feature legacy business owners and developers to hear their successes and struggles. For anyone who lives in the College Station-Bryan area, or maybe who has a connection to Texas A&M University, we think you'll enjoy this new venture. Our inaugural interview is with Brian Davis, who can be credited with bringing the first Krispy Kreme to our market. it was a great chat that you won't want to miss. We hope you'll subscribe, rate and recommend!   Jay Socol, Communications Director Natalie Ruiz, Economic Development Director

All Up In Your Business: An introduction

Separating rumors from reality + real economic development insight in College Station, Texas -- Home of Texas A&M University.