🗝️Bedford mayor resigns; Burlington Northern sells affiliate; Bell closes 2 deals

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🗞️NEWS OF THE DAY:

With the annual budget completed, Bedford Mayor Michael Boyter resigned eight months before his term was set to expire. In his remarks to council, Boyter said it was "a good time for me to step aside and let others pick up the mantle from here."

J.B. Hunt Transport Services said it will pay cash to acquire the brokerage operations of BNSF Logistics LLC, an affiliate of BNSF Railway Co. It provides third-party logistics services, including truckload, flatbed, temperature-controlled, drayage, expedited and less-than-truckload. J.B. Hunt has been a customer of BNSF Railway’s truck-rail intermodal services for several years, providing containers and truck trailers that move on BNSF’s rail network.

A potential change of a city ordinance would allow Arlington and UT-Arlington to launch a bike and scooter rental program that connects riders to campus and downtown. A 2005 ordinance outlaws motor-assisted scooters from city streets.

Arlington's GM assembly plant is operating, with employees there not among the first round of strikes ordered by the United Auto Workers.

Bell 1: The U.S. has revealed an $80-million grant to Zambia for the provision of four Bell 412EP helicopters to the Zambia Air Force (ZAF). The grant also covers three years of service, parts and training for the helicopters.

Bell 2: Bell Textron Inc. announced an upcoming delivery of a Bell 429 twin-engine helicopter to Shaanxi Helicopter Co., Ltd., one of the prominent players in China's sector. It is Bell's fifth twin-engine aircraft to Shaanxi Helicopter's versatile fleet.

Sweet Paris Creperie & Café is coming to south Fort Worth. John and Sue Gilbert have signed a development agreement for the popular brand known for crepes, waffles, salads and hot drinks. The Gilberts have been highly successful Nothing Bundt Cake franchisees for 10+ years.

Texas REALTORS has released its Q2 housing report. Here are highlights for the D-FW area compared to state averages:

• Median home price: $404,999 (-4.7%) in DFW, vs. $345,000 (-3.1%) statewide

• Active listings: +17.3% in DFW, vs. +32.2% statewide

• Days on market: 78 in DFW (24 more than last year), vs. 87 statewide (20 more than last year)

• Closed sales: -4.7% in DFW vs. -10.8% statewide

• Months of inventory: 2.5 in DFW (last year 1.8 mos), vs. 3.2 statewide (last year 2.0 mos)

Governor Abbott has re-appointed Ellen Bauman to the Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities for a term to expire on February 1, 2025. She is the special needs ministry liaison for First United Methodist Church in Arlington. She is a member of the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Council of Tarrant County and Cook Children’s Oral Health Coalition. Additionally, she is the board president of the Arc of DFW Area. She attended Texas Wesleyan University and Tarrant County College.

How to list ‘sports team owner’ on your resume: Goldman Sachs is preparing to offer wealthy clients more access to a unique investment - the chance to own a piece of a private sports team. The bank is creating a “sports franchise” unit within its investment banking division that will combine sports M&A with sports financing. A top goal is to work with asset and wealth management to pitch wealthy clients on investing in teams, stadiums and other flashy deals.

Governor Abbott announced last week $3.2 million in grants to nine Fort Worth-area veteran organizations. Here’s the list of recipients.

U.S. inflation expectations fell to the lowest levels in over two years, as consumers grew more optimistic about the economic outlook. However, consumer sentiment about current conditions fell to a three-month low.

🏆ANNOUNCEMENTS, AWARDS & PROMOTIONS:

• Texas Travel Alliance: Selects Visit Fort Worth President & CEO Bob Jameson for its 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award

• Douglass SPLY Co.: Launched as fractional marketing/development company by former Fort Worth Chamber marketing director Katie Douglass

• Maverick Fine Western Wear: Names Katelyn Thornton Marketing Manager

• Quorum: Hires Gabriel Winter as Project Designer

✂️SNIPPETS:

• The cost of raising a child from birth to age 18 is now $237,482 on average – and that’s before college.

• These sporty canines took top honors in an annual dog surfing competition. (video link) 

• Citing sustainability, Starbucks wants to overhaul its iconic cup. Will customers go along?

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