4th of July Freedom Fest- Ft Hood, TX

Fort Hood will host its annual salute to the nation and observance of Independence Day 1-10 p.m. July 4 at Hood Stadium.

The day will be chock full of entertainment featuring a free concert by multi-platinum country artist Dierks Bentley and a 30-minute fireworks display set to patriotic music beginning at 9:30 pm. The day will be filled with free carnival rides, laser tag, miniature stock car racing, concessions and arts and crafts vendors. Military displays and music will provide a salute to the nation.  This event is free and open to the public.  Transportation is offered from Killeen and Ellison High Schools and Central Texas College.  Visit www.forthoodsentinel.com/ for more information.

Rodeo Belton – Expo Center, Belton TX

Rodeo action is back in Belton. Grab your hat, pull on your boots and head to the Bell County Expo Center, Thursday, July 1st through Saturday, July 3rd for the 86th Annual 4th of July PRCA Rodeo.

Rodeo Belton kicks off Thursday, July 1st through Saturday July 3rd with performances starting nightly at 7:00 p.m. This year's PRCA rodeo will feature Lancaster and Pickett Pro Rodeo Company out of Fairfield, Texas.  Visit www.rodeobelton.com for more information.

4^th of July Parade- Belton, TX

The 4th of July Parade is held each year for the benefit of more than 30,000 spectators.  2008 USA Today named the Belton 4th of July Parade as one the Nations "Top Ten Places to Fly Your Flag on the 4th".

There will be floats, bands, marching units, decorated vehicles, antique cars, decorated bicycles, etc. The first parade was held in the mid 1800's and has been an annual event in Belton since 1919. This long time Belton tradition starts at 10:00 a.m. on Main Street at 10th Avenue. Visit www.rodeobelton.com/parade.htm for more information.

HEB 4^th of July Family Fun Fest- Temple, TX

Miller Park- 1919 N 1^st St.

Join Uncle Sam on July 4^th from 4-10:30 pm for an evening of good ol' American fun, including: great music, food, inflatables, games, face painting, a mechanical bull, dunking booth and more! Oldies and Motown greats, The GTO's, take the stage at 7:30 followed by a spectacular fireworks show!

Bring your lawn chairs and picnic baskets and make plans to spend your Fourth of July in Miller Park.  Visit www.ci.temple.tx.us for ticket pricing and schedules.

COLLEGE STATION (Real Estate Center) – Texas is coming out of the Great Recession and leading the United States in the current U-shaped economic recovery, according to the Real Estate Center's latest monthly review of the Texas economy.

After 16 months of job losses, the state’s annual employment growth rate turned positive in May 2010 and posted an annual employment growth rate of 0.2 percent for the period from May 2009 to May 2010. The nation’s rate of job losses has decreased from 5 percent in August 2009 to 0.4 percent in May 2010.

The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose from 7.5 percent in May 2009 to 8.3 percent in May 2010, while the U.S. rate rose from 9.4 percent to 9.7 percent during that period.

Five Texas industries — education and health services, mining and logging, other services, leisure and hospitality, professional and business services — and the government sector had more jobs in May 2010 than in May 2009. Six other industries had net job losses over the same period.

Thirteen Texas metro areas posted positive employment growth rates from May 2009 to May 2010, up from seven for the period from March 2009 to March 2010. College Station-Bryan ranked first in job creation followed by San Angelo, Waco, Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood and McAllen-Edinburg-Mission.

The state’s actual unemployment rate in May 2010 was 8 percent. Amarillo had the lowest unemployment rate followed by Midland, Lubbock, College Station-Bryan and San Angelo.

COPPERAS COVE (Copperas Cove EDC) – The Copperas Cove Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC) announced that the city's land exchange with Fort Hood is complete.

In exchange for nearly 110 acres at Clear Creek and Ammo Rd., the city received 125 acres on the south side of SH 190.

“Having control of this property allows us to control our own destiny,” said Polo Enriquez, CCEDC executive director. “We can determine our future — bring in desired retail and attract primary jobs to create an economy that will enhance the quality of life we enjoy here.”

“Viable, commercial property is what has been needed in Copperas Cove in order for it to rise to the potential we all know it can achieve,” said Dan Yancey, chairman of the CCEDC Board of Directors. “New development will also increase sales and property tax receipts, offsetting the residential property owner’s tax burden in Copperas Cove.”