Out of 26 million Texans, you may have an idea to change the world. You may have had several ideas to change the world. But only a tiny minority of you pushed through the U.S. Patent office from application to successful patent. We've seen Texans change the world many times over. Jack Kilby did it with Texas Instruments in 1958 with the integrated circuit, causing the start of the digital revolution, which, in part, is why you can read these words over your electronic device.
Over the last few years, Texas Business has brought its feature: Texas Business Patent of the Day. This list is of the ones that were either extremely clever, odd or strange. One thing becomes apparent from these patents and the patent that runs daily in Texas Business—Texans have a unique mind set.
Though the history of the Corn Dog is disputed, the State Fair of Texas claims to have introduced the Corny Dog sometime between 1938 and 1942. As a paean to that invention that now sits in the freezer section of every grocery store in the southwest, here are the fried foods the State Fair of Texas has introduced, or tried to introduce, in the last seven years.
Dead Texas musicians live on every time you hear their songs. Their songs play everywhere, so the dead Texas musicians appear to be immortal. Here's the short list.
Don't get caught up with John Wayne religion. For one thing, he's not Texan. He's in some fine movies involving Texas, most notably The Searchers, but none of his movies can make the best cut of Texas movies. Here's the short list.
Unsung Texas Business Journalists Mention that one is a reporter, and there's a spark of interest. Mention that one is a business news reporter, and watch the eyes glaze over. Except to the players, business and economic journalists are unappreciated. While many wish to become sports reporters when they grow up, most do not realize that business journalists cover the Real Game. Mention that reporter covers business, and watch the eyes glaze over. A toast to these below on the short list and the numerous unnamed ones slogging away. Full Story » TexasBusiness.com
Best Texas Mexican Food: The Short List No, we're not going to debate the difference between Tex-Mex, Mex-Tex, Mexican and Texican food. Just know these establishments are the pinnacle of Texas Mexican fare. No brag, just fact. Full Story » TexasBusiness.com
Best Texas Burgers Texas Burgers. . While a hamburger is merely sustenance and gratification for a meal, the memory a good Texas burger can give rise to Homeric odes. The short list. Full Story » TexasBusiness.com
Texas Business reports: TEMPLE, Texas—Panda Power Funds announced that its affiliate Panda Temple Power LLC has successfully completed the financing on its planned 758-megawatt natural gas-fueled, combined-cycle power plant in Temple, Texas.
The company will immediately start construction on the 250-acre site and expects commercial operations to begin by the end of 2014.
The plant plans to utilize the latest, most advanced combustion turbine and emissions-control technology, making it one of the cleanest, most efficient natural gas-fueled power plants in the United States.
“It has been an uphill battle, in a very difficult financial market, to get this project off the drawing board and out of the ground,” said Panda Power Funds president Todd W. Carter in a prepared statement. “Since the beginning, our team never lost sight that Texas needs the power. Thanks to our financial partners, our Panda team and the strong backing of state and local officials, the State of Texas will soon be the beneficiary of critically needed electricity, more jobs and greater economic development.”
According to an economic impact analysis conducted by Impact Data Source of Austin, the construction and ongoing operation of the plant is expected to contribute up to $1.6 billion into the area's economy during construction and the plant's first 10 years of operation.
An estimated 700-800 personnel will be employed to construct the Temple power plant at peak construction. During operations, the generating station will create an estimated 27 skilled jobs to operate the facility and 45 indirect jobs within the community to support the plant.
Panda Power Funds selected a turn-key construction consortium of Bechtel and Siemens Energy Inc. to build the generation facility. The firms are two of the largest power contractors and technology providers in the world.
Equity financing for the project is being provided by Panda Power Funds and other financial institutions.
The Temple Generating Station will be located at Synergy Industrial Park. Once completed, the generating station will be able to supply the power needs of approximately 750,000 homes in the Central and North Texas regions.
Founded in 2010, Panda Power Funds has the ability to internally source and develop, acquire, invest in, and operate large-scale, natural gas-fueled power generation facilities. The company recently built a utility-scale, 20-megawatt solar farm in Pilesgrove, New Jersey - one of the largest solar farms in the northeast United States. The private equity firm is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.
The Texas News Scrawl is a handy reference to stories Texas Business recommends from other news sources. Some of the stories that Texas Business currently suggests include: Pipeline ruling strengthens Texas private property rights; Texas Bowl seeks new title sponsor; Insult to Injury: Texas Workers’ Comp System Denies, Delays Medical Help; American Airlines continues to shed jobs; Chemical Safety Board shut out of West probe by ATF; America’s greatest threat: Unsafe work conditions; The West News proves the value of a great weekly newspaper in a community torn up with grief and chaos; and more.
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