Bryan College Station, October 7, 2025

News Summary

The Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce is hosting its Annual Banquet to celebrate community contributions. Honorees include Citizen of the Year John Raney and Volunteer of the Year Jason Cornelius. The event, also featuring a Lobsterfest and Golf Classic, highlights the importance of community relationships and local leadership. The Chamber aims to support economic growth in the Brazos Valley through initiatives and engagement.

Bryan, Texas Celebrates Local Achievements at Upcoming Annual Banquet

The Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce is set to host its highly anticipated 2025 Annual Banquet on Monday, November 10, recognizing outstanding contributions to the community. This year’s Citizen of the Year title will be awarded to former state representative John Raney, while the Volunteer of the Year honor will go to Jason Cornelius from Frost Bank.

The banquet, held at the Hilton College Station, serves as an opportunity to celebrate achievements from the past year and will also announce the Ambassador of the Year. Individual tickets for non-members are priced at $125, providing access to the event which plays a crucial role in fostering community relationships and recognizing local leaders.

Last year, the honors went to then-Texas A&M System Chancellor John Sharp as Citizen of the Year and John Giesenschlag as Volunteer of the Year. This year’s selections reflect the Chamber’s commitment to honoring those who make a significant impact in the Bryan-College Station area.

Upcoming Events: Lobsterfest and Golf Classic

In addition to the Annual Banquet, the Chamber is organizing two more key events: the Lobsterfest and the Golf Classic. The Lobsterfest will take place on Friday, September 19, from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Brazos Center. Tickets for this event are available for $100, which includes a steak and lobster dinner and access to both live and silent auctions.

The Golf Classic is scheduled for Monday, September 22, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Pebble Creek Country Club. The event has limited availability, hosting 56 teams, thereby adding a competitive edge to the fundraising efforts for the Chamber.

Federal Legislative Action Plan for Economic Growth

Recently, a delegation from the Bryan-College Station area traveled from Houston to Washington D.C. to present the 2025 Federal Legislative Action Plan to Congress. The objective of the plan is to encourage lawmakers to boost the economic success of the Brazos Valley.

The action plan covers crucial topics including economic development, healthcare, infrastructure, and workforce training. A briefing from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce was part of the agenda, focusing on federal legislation concerning taxation and business development.

Importance of Infrastructure in Growing Economy

With the rapid growth of Bryan-College Station, there is an increased demand for improved transportation and infrastructure. Mayor pro tem James Edge has highlighted that enhanced transportation infrastructure is critical for attracting larger businesses and manufacturing jobs, further driving the area’s economic development.

The local economy has benefitted considerably from various sporting events, which draw large crowds. In 2024, over 4.8 million visitors came to Bryan, contributing over $184 million towards local services, including fuel, food, and lodging.

Mayor Edge reiterated the need for infrastructure upgrades to keep pace with technological advancements, stating that such improvements are vital for supporting a modern economy in a growing city like Bryan-College Station.

Conclusion

The 2025 Annual Banquet promises to be a significant event for the Bryan-College Station community, celebrating local achievements and acknowledging those who contribute positively to the area. With associated events like the Lobsterfest and Golf Classic, as well as initiatives aimed at enhancing infrastructure, the Chamber of Commerce remains committed to the growth and prosperity of the region.

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Additional Resources

• KBTX: Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce Announces Citizen, Volunteer of the Year
• Wikipedia: Bryan, Texas
• KBTX: Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce Holding Several Community Events in September
• Google Search: Bryan College Station Chamber of Commerce
• KBTX: Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce Speaking Up for Small Businesses in Austin
• Google Scholar: Local Economic Development
• KBTX: 20th Annual BCS Chamber Day Gathers Economic Information from Local Business Leaders
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Economic Development
• KBTX: Bryan-College Station’s Chamber of Commerce Pushes for Infrastructure Improvements in D.C.
• Google News: Bryan College Station Economic Growth

Author: STAFF HERE COLLEGE WRITER

The COLLEGE STATION STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECollegeStation.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in College Station, Brazos County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo, Chilifest, and Aggie Muster. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Brazos Valley, plus leading businesses in education, biotechnology, and retail that power the local economy such as Texas A&M University, Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, and H-E-B. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.