Hopkins County Bond Rating Upgraded As County’s Financial Position Improves
Moody’s Investors Service has upgraded from A2 to A1 Hopkins County, TX’s General Obligation Limited Tax Bonds. The rating action affects $18.3 million in rated debt. The upgrade reflects the county’s improved financial position and the stable outlook for the county’s financial position based on healthy revenue levels. The rating incorporates the stability of the county’s moderately-sized agricultural tax base, below average wealth...
Local Leaders Optimistic Following Economic Outlook Conference
Having had a day to digest the Tuesday Chamber of Commerce Economic Outlook Conference, both Sulphur Springs City Manager Marc Maxwell and Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom told KSST News the Conference with Dr. Ray Perryman, President and CEO of The Perryman Group, provided powerful optimistic vision for the local area. Roger Feagley also heard optimism in local growth as did Realtor Tim Kelty. Perryman’s organization is an economic...
Study Ranks Hopkins County 91st in State for Overall Health Outcomes
Out of 240 counties in Texas Hopkins County ranks 91st in overall health outcomes according to a recent report published by a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation program. Neighboring Franklin County ranks 15th with Rains at 83, Hunt at 125, Lamar at 199, and Delta at 204. Several factors were noted in the study. Franklin County, according to the report, only outscored Hopkins County on length of life, education percentages and children in...
EDC Presents State of the Economy Report to City Council
With only 3.8 percent unemployment in December, Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County face a good news/bad news situation. Economic Development Director Roger Feagley presented his State of the Economy Report to the Sulphur Springs City Council Tuesday Night. He pointed to the employment rate as an indicator of the stability of jobs in the area. Although the numbers are not exact, Feagley said people whose benefits have expired, who are...
PJC Tuition and Fees Called a Bargain
The Paris Junior College Board of Regents, at a regular January meeting, was told that PJC continues to be a bargain in tuition and fees. “An annual review of statewide tuition, fees and taxes shows that PJC remains below average for in-district, out-of-district and out-of-state tuition and fees,” said PJC President Dr. Pam Anglin. “In-district is $65 per semester credit hour versus the statewide average of $82. The tax survey showed...
Surprise At New Jail Site, Newsom Talks County News
Workers doing dirt work for the new Hopkins County Jail project north of the current jail unearthed a surprise recently. They found what appears to be a railroad spur that had been buried. County Judge Robert Newsom says it shouldn’t raise any environmental issues. He can’t find any records for the spur. Judge Newsom says County Commissioners will be removing the rails and selling the steel. In some Hopkins County notes, County Judge...
City Council Receives State of the Economy Presentation
A low unemployment rate that beats the state, national and our regional competitors was one bullet presented by Roger Feagley during his State of the Economy presentation to the Sulphur Springs City Council Tuesday night. Feagley said our area better survived the recent economic downturn due to our good mix of primary jobs. He said another factor was owner occupied businesses. Feagley said maybe people should be talking about the...
