Office of the Governor Texas Weekly Digest Bulletin
Texas Film Commission February Newsletter
02/25/2025
Fort Worth Approved as Media Production Development Zone
We want to wish a Texas-sized congratulations to the City of Fort Worth for recently receiving approval from the Texas Film Commission (TFC) to establish their newest Media Production Development Zone (MPDZ)!
The first Qualified Media Production Location within the new zone will be located in Hillwood's AllianceTexas corridor. The existing 224,616-square-foot facility will be transformed into a premier soundstage and production hub to accommodate both large-scale film productions and long-term television tenants.
The MPDZ Program is an incentive program designed to encourage the development of permanent moving image production sites in Texas and is administered by the Texas Film Commission. MPDZ certification allows for up to a two-year sales and use tax exemption for the construction, maintenance, expansion, improvement or renovation of a media production facility at a qualified media production location.
Interested in learning more about the MPDZ Program? Click the button below to review program information and reach out to our team to discuss further.
As we enter the second month of the 89th Legislative Session in Texas, the TFC continues to provide information about media production in the Lone Star State. Bills continue to be filed, legislative meetings are being held, and there is strong interest in the work the TFC does and the resources we provide.
As a reminder, you can stay up to date and follow the progress of all bills filed at Texas Legislature Online.
Left to right: Texas Film Commission Director Stephanie Whallon and team members Willita Mahone, Steven McCaig and Michelle Habecker
This past month, Texas Film Commission Director Stephanie Whallon and team members Willita Mahone, Steven McCaig and Michelle Habecker had the pleasure of attending the Sundance Film Festival, where they met with filmmakers, producers and industry professionals from around the world.
While in Park City, the TFC was proud to help sponsor the Film in Texas Brunch with Amplify Asian, which offered an opportunity for Texas filmmakers and industry representatives to meet one another and find ways to collaborate to ensure Texas remains a top-tier production location for the foreseeable future.
Thanks to everyone who stopped by the event, as well as those who took the time to get to know us while waiting in line for the movies. We can't wait to see you here in Texas!
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The 2025 Texas Autism Conference is a virtual conference for the exchange of scientific and clinical advances in treating autism spectrum disorder. Research findings, clinical updates, and topical discussions are presented over four days. The conference is designed for researchers, students, family members, care givers, and all professional providers working with individuals with autism spectrum disorder including clinicians, counselors, therapists, service providers and state agency staff. The conference is free to attend.
2025 Virtual Autism Conference: Collaborative Pathways in Autism
Tuesday, April 14 – Thursday, April 17, 2025
Registration will open in March 2025. More information will be available soon.
Please direct questions regarding the conference to the Childrens Autism Program with the Subject: ‘Autism Conference 2025’.
Continuing education credit for multiple disciplines will be provided for this activity.
You're Invited to the Digital Media x TMIIIP Virtual Office Hours
02/27/2025
Good afternoon,
As someone who’s expressed interest in the greater animation, VFX, video game, or XR industries in Texas, you are officially invited to attend the Digital Media x TMIIIP Virtual Office Hours hosted by the Texas Film Commission (TFC) on March 27, from 1-2PM.
Attendees of this virtual event can look forward to:
Information on how the TFC supports Texas' animation, VFX, video game, and XR industries and organizations
Information on how these Digital Media projects can benefit from the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program (TMIIIP) and its new rules expanding eligibility to even more Digital Media projects
The opportunity to speak with TFC representatives about the Commission's Digital Media support efforts and incentive programs
This event is open to the public and free to attend. Please feel free to forward this invitation to other Digital Media professionals. To attend, please visit https://gov.texas.gov/film/event/digital-media-x-tmiiip-virtual-office-hours at 1PM on March 27. The virtual event will automatically open once the Office Hours begin.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the TFC directly at 512-463-9200 or at film@gov.texas.gov.
The Governor of Texas has proclaimed March to be Brain Injury Awareness Month.
To commemorate the month, the Texas Health and Human Services Brain Injury Programs are hosting a weekly webinar series with the underlying theme of "Creating a Foundation of Resiliency and Recovery. Providing Support, to Grow and Connect." These webinars are free and open to the public.
Brain Injury Awareness Webinars
Click on the registration link of the Brain Injury Awareness Month Lunch & Learn webinar that you would like to attend. Register for each webinar separately.
“Community Integration through Driving”
March 4, 2025 at 11:00 a.m., Central Time
All traumatic brain injury (TBI) symptoms can greatly impact function and independence. This presentation will examine the impact a TBI can have on one’s ability to drive, the skills and strategies to assist in returning to driving, and various interventions.
“Resilience for All: Supporting Veterans and Civilian Lives Alike”
March 17, 2025 at 12:00 p.m., Central Time
A session from a professional in veteran services who will discuss suggestions to initiate and support resiliency for those who have experienced a brain injury.
Texas Music Office Releases 2024 Economic Impact Study
“The Texas Music Office (TMO) is thrilled to release the newest edition of our biennial economic impact study,” said TMO Director Chip Adams. “This report not only underscores the immense positive impact music has on the quality of life in Texas, it also highlights the economic vitality of our state's diverse and thriving music industry. As the nation’s first and longest-running state music office since it was established 35 years ago, TMO is proud to assist Texas communities in boosting local job creation and economic expansion. This report provides valuable insight into the resulting economic impact of music businesses, music education, and music-related tourism in Texas and demonstrates the global appeal and strength of Texas music.”
Inaugural Jambaloo Symposium and Festival Amplifies Live Music in Dallas, Fort Worth, and Denton
The TMO team was in North Texas for the kickoff of Jambaloo, featuring eight days of free live music at four independent, locally owned venues in the Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW) area. The event highlighted many of the best local artists DFW has to offer and ran through Saturday February 8.
TMO Director Chip Adams took part in the inaugural Jambaloo Symposium at Tulips in Ft. Worth. The Symposium featured Grammy-winning Dallas rapper Bobby Sessions, Kristina Kirkenaer-Hart (Director of Cultural Tourism and the Dallas Music Office at Visit Dallas), and Tom Martens (Vice President of Creative, Film & Music for Visit Fort Worth and Director, Fort Worth Music Office) and was moderated by Benji McPhail (Program Director at KXT)
Mansfield Certified as Music Friendly Texas Community
TMO proudly welcomed the City of Mansfield to becoming Texas' 73rd Music Friendly Community. The Music Friendly Texas Community Certification Ceremony was held on January 27th at Mansfield City Hall and included city officials and community leaders. The event was cohosted by TMO and the City of Mansfield, and TMO Community Relations and Outreach Specialist Gini Mascorro presented the designation. Read more about Mansfield's MFT Certification at the link below.
L-R Chip Adams, Alyssa Mason, Emily Zertuche at House of Rock (Corpus Christi)
Corpus Christi Welcomes the Music Industry to The Third Coast!
House of Rock, in partnership with Visit Corpus Christi’s Music Commission, hosted the third annual Coastal Bend Music Industry Symposium on February 13, 2025, bringing together music professionals, artists, and enthusiasts for an unforgettable day of networking, education, and more. TMO Director Chip Adams spoke at the Kickoff Ceremony and participated on The Economic Impact of Live Music panel, along with Alyssa Mason (Executive Director, Corpus Christi Downtown Management District), and Emily Zertuche (Chief Marketing Officer, Visit Corpus Christi).
The Corpus Christi Songwriters Festival was held February 14‒16 at multiple venues throughout the city. The festival is an annual celebration of original music, storytelling, and community, where audiences can immerse themselves in the unique voices of singer-songwriters from Texas and beyond. Launched six years ago, this Gulf Coast festival has grown into a dynamic cultural event, offering an intimate stage where artists share their music, stories, and songwriting passion with both loyal fans and new listeners.
March 2 Longhorn Jubilee - Celebrating 75 years of The Longhorn Ballroom Featuring Toadies, Band of Heathens, The Polyphonic Spree, Bob Wills' Texas Playboys, and Pachuco Boogie Sound System Dallas more info
March 14-16 Tejano Music Awards and Fan Fair San Antonio more info
March 22 Houston Brazilian Carnaval 14th Edition! Featuring FUNDO DE QUINTAL Houston more info
April 24-26 53rd Annual Bob Wills Day Celebration Turkey more info
Bring Home The Award For Best License Plate
February is awards season, and you can be the big winner of the road with a Texas Music license plate! $22 from the $30 fee for each custom plate goes directly to the TMO’s Music Education & Community Program grant, which provides grants to benefit music-related educational and community programs sponsored by 501(c)(3) nonprofits based in Texas. Click the graphic above to order your Texas Music plates today!
Governor Abbott Names Chair, Appoints Seven To Governor’s Committee On People With Disabilities
Governor Abbott Names Chair, Appoints Seven To Governor’s Committee On People With Disabilities
AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott appointed Juan Carlos Lopez to the Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities for a term set to expire on February 1, 2026. Additionally, the Governor has appointed Chelsea Elliott, Ronald Browning, and Lisa Treleaven, Ed.D. and reappointed Ellen M. Bauman, Neva Fairchild, and Kristie Orr, Ph.D. for terms set to expire on February 1, 2027. Additionally, the Governor named Ellen Bauman as chair of the Committee. The Committee recommends changes in disability policies and programs, supports a network of committees on people with disabilities, issues awards to promote greater awareness, and promotes compliance with disability related laws.
Juan Lopez of Edinburg is a board member for the Valley Association for Independent Living. He previously served as a support member and translator for the Texas Civil Rights Project and a paralegal for Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid.
Chelsea Elliott of Austin is the founder and executive director of half Helen. She is a McBee Fellow for the Austin Area Research Organization and an associate member of the Texas Optometric Association. She is a mentor at St. Edward’s University and St. David’s Foundation’s Neal Kocurek Scholarship Program. Elliott received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from St. Edward's University.
Ronald “Ronnie” Browning of Spring is a legacy board member of Texas Advocates. He is a volunteer for The Arc of Texas and the Special Olympics and former president, vice president and treasurer for Peoples First of Wichita Falls. Additionally, he is a former board member of the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities and a former volunteer for the United Way.
Lisa Treleaven, Ed.D. of Montgomery is a licensed counselor and a consultant in the fields of education and mental health. She a volunteer parent mentor for Texas Parent to Parent and a family advisor for Texas Children’s Hospital and Emergency Medical Services for Children. She is a member of the Community Emergency Response Team and Texas Partners in Policymaking class of 2025. Treleaven received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from The University of Texas (UT) at Austin and a Master of Arts in Psychology and Doctor of Education from Houston Christian University.
Ellen M. Bauman of Joshua has served on the Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities since 2018. She formally worked as the special needs ministry liaison for First United Methodist Church in Arlington and is a certified Christian educator. She is a member of the Texas Commission on Jail Standards Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Advisory Committee, Durable Medical Equipment Back-Up Taskforce, and The Arc of Texas Public Policy Advocacy Committee. Additionally, she is the immediate past president of the Arc of DFW Area and board chair of Texas Parent to Parent. Bauman attended Texas Wesleyan University and Tarrant County College and received a certificate of Christian Education from Columbia College in Columbia South Carolina.
Neva Fairchild of Flower Mound is owner of Experts On Blindness. She has worked in the field of blindness services for over 30 years. She is president of the Braille Revival League of Texas, state newsletter editor for the American Council of the Blind of Texas, and former president of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired. Fairchild received a Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Science and a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling Psychology from UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.
Kristie Orr, Ph.D. of College Station is the disability resources director for Texas A&M University. She is a member and former president of the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD). She frequently provides workshops, lectures, and external reviews at state and national conferences and on campuses throughout the United States. Orr received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Doctor of Philosophy in School Psychology from Texas A&M University and a Master of Education in Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
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HHSC Invites Public Comments on State Plan on Aging
HHSC Invites Public Comments on State Plan on Aging
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) invites public comment on the draft Texas State Plan on Aging for Federal Fiscal Years 2026-2028. Comments will be accepted from Saturday, February 22, 2025, to Monday, March 24, 2025. In accordance with the Older Americans Act, HHSC serves as the State Unit on Aging and is responsible for developing the State Plan on Aging. The plan provides the vision and direction for Texas’ aging services network and an opportunity to share priorities and strategies for improving the lives of older Texans and their family caregivers. The developing 2026-2028 State Plan on Aging is available on the HHSC Office of Area Agencies on Aging webpage.
