Whitehouse Economic Development Corporation - WEDC

09/22/2026

Tomorrow is Tuesday Morning Brew!

We keep saying it…but y’all keep proving us right: last month was our BIGGEST Tuesday Morning Brew yet!

Join us for our September Morning Brew, sponsored by Whitehouse Economic Development Corporation - WEDC, and make sure to introduce yourself to Economic Development Director Susan Hargis while enjoying breakfast burritos, coffee, and one of our favorite hours of business networking.

All the details-
Tuesday, September 22
8:00–9:00 a.m.
Whitehouse City Center, 109 E. Main

Morning Brew is about more than exchanging business cards. It’s about knowing who does business in Whitehouse, understanding what our community has to offer, creating referral relationships, finding opportunities to collaborate, and keeping our local business community connected.

You’ll have the opportunity to introduce yourself and your business, hear from other Chamber members, and start conversations that can continue long after the coffee is gone.

* Coffee * Breakfast * Networking * Business connections * A room full of people invested in Whitehouse

Your Chamber membership gives you the opportunity to share for 30 seconds with everyone's undivided attention- come use it!

Tuesday Morning Brew is a Whitehouse Area Chamber of Commerce members-exclusive networking event. Please let us know if you plan to invite a guest.

09/18/2026

🤝 Made in Whitehouse

Some of the businesses that give a community its character are the locally owned places where good food and familiar faces come together.

The Whitehouse EDC and Whitehouse Area Chamber of Commerce recently stopped by Ribtown Stevie Blue’s BBQ to visit with owner Steve Stone and learn more about his business and experience serving the Whitehouse community.

Ribtown has been part of the Whitehouse business community since 2018, bringing its own Texas BBQ flavor to Highway 110 and adding to the variety of locally owned dining options available right here at home.

Our Made in Whitehouse visits are about more than learning what a business sells or serves. They give us the opportunity to hear directly from local business owners, strengthen relationships, and better understand the businesses that help shape the identity and economy of our community.

Thank you to Steve for taking time to visit with us—and for continuing to invest in Whitehouse! 🤠💙

Made in Whitehouse: Whitehouse Roots. Texas Vision.

09/16/2026

🤝 Made in Whitehouse

Strong communities are built on strong relationships—and local financial institutions are an important part of helping individuals and businesses plan, invest, and grow.

The Whitehouse EDC and Whitehouse Area Chamber of Commerce recently stopped by Southside Bank - Whitehouse branch for a visit with Cindy Miller, Vice President – Branch Manager. We enjoyed the opportunity to catch up, learn more about what they’re seeing in our community, and continue building the relationships that help us better understand and support Whitehouse businesses.

Southside Bank has a longstanding presence in East Texas, and having local banking resources available right here in Whitehouse is an important part of a healthy business environment.

Our Made in Whitehouse visits aren’t just about celebrating the businesses in our community—they’re also about listening. Every conversation helps us learn more about the people behind our local businesses, what they’re experiencing, and how we can continue working together to support a strong local economy.

Thank you to Cindy and the Southside Bank team for taking time to visit with us! 💙

Made in Whitehouse: Whitehouse Roots. Texas Vision.

09/12/2026

Today, the Whitehouse Economic Development Corporation Board, City of Whitehouse Texas leadership and our Whitehouse Area Chamber of Commerce partner came together to help chart Whitehouse’s next chapter in economic development.

Through thoughtful conversation and collaborative work, participants reflected on our progress, considered the realities our next plan must respect, envisioned what should be meaningfully different by 2029 and began identifying areas for focused attention and responsible action.

Today’s workshop established a proposed direction. The work will now be organized and refined before a draft strategic plan is presented to the EDC Board for formal consideration.

Thank you to everyone who brought candor, experience and a shared commitment to Whitehouse’s future.

Shared Vision. Focused Priorities. Collective Action. 💙

09/05/2026

🇺🇸 In observance of Labor Day, the Whitehouse Economic Development Corporation office will be closed Monday, September 7.

Labor Day is an opportunity to recognize the people whose hard work, talent, and dedication keep our businesses running and our communities moving forward.

We’re especially grateful for the employees, entrepreneurs, business owners, and community partners who contribute every day to Whitehouse’s continued growth and success.

We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable Labor Day weekend! ❤️🤍💙

09/04/2026

✨ Connections build strong communities!

Chamber members, mark your calendars for the September After Hours at Camp Tyler—a great opportunity to connect, build relationships, and enjoy one of our beautiful local destinations.

Details below! 👇

JOIN US FOR AFTER HOURS! We’re just TWO WEEKS away from our September After Hours at Camp Tyler!

Date- Thursday, September 17th
Time- 5:00- 6:00 PM
Location- Camp Tyler- 15143 Camp Tyler Rd, Whitehouse, TX

Come spend an hour with fellow Chamber members, make some new connections, and enjoy a delicious dinner generously provided by Camp Tyler. Eat inside the Lodge, or on the porch overlooking Lake Tyler! We are so thankful for Camp Tyler's hospitality and hope you’ll join us! As always, make sure you sign in for the door prize!

09/02/2026

🩸 Whitehouse is answering the call!

Our Whitehouse Police and Fire Departments are teaming up for the Battle of the Badges Blood Drive, and our community can help make an impact.

Strong communities show up for one another—and this is a great opportunity to do just that. ❤️

See the City’s post below for details and information on scheduling your appointment. 👇

🚨 BATTLE OF THE BADGES 🚨

Who will take the win? 🏆 You decide!

The American Red Cross is bringing the Battle of the Badges Blood Drive to City Center and every donor gets to choose which department they’re backing. Whitehouse 🚔Police Department or Whitehouse 🚒 Fire Department!

Donate blood. Pick your badge. Help your team win!

📅 September 23
⏰ 10 am- 3 pm
📍 109 E Main St

Sign up to donate and let the battle begin!

https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=whitehouse

09/01/2026

🤝 Made in Whitehouse

Sometimes investing in a community means starting something new—and sometimes it means carrying an established local business into its next chapter.

Today, the Whitehouse EDC and the Whitehouse Area Chamber of Commerce had the pleasure of visiting Azalea Animal Hospital and spending time with Dr. Sydney Jay and her team. And our timing couldn’t have been better: today marks four years since Dr. Jay purchased the practice formerly known as Rannels Animal Hospital! 🎉🐾

A Whitehouse native, Dr. Jay returned home to build her veterinary career and invest in the community where she grew up. Today, she and Dr. Lindsay Pettepher, along with the Azalea Animal Hospital team, continue the tradition of veterinary care at this longtime Whitehouse location while writing a new chapter of their own.

Stories like this are an important part of economic development. Local businesses don’t always begin with a groundbreaking or a brand-new building. Sometimes growth happens when the next generation of local entrepreneurs chooses to invest in an existing business, build upon its history, create their own vision, and keep that business rooted in the community.

Congratulations to Dr. Jay, Dr. Pettepher, and the entire Azalea Animal Hospital team on this four-year milestone—and thank you for continuing to invest in and serve the Whitehouse community. We enjoyed our visit and loved learning more about your story!

And, of course, a special thank-you to Ivy, who made absolutely certain we had proper representation from hospital management in the photo. 🐕 🐾 💙

Made in Whitehouse: Whitehouse Roots. Texas Vision.

08/27/2026

🏥 More investment. More services. More access to care right here in Whitehouse.

We’re excited to see UT Health East Texas continuing to invest in our community with a new 11,000-square-foot clinic currently under construction on Highway 110 N.

This expansion represents not only increased access to healthcare for Whitehouse-area families, but continued private investment and growth in our community.

We look forward to welcoming UT Health East Texas to their new location and watching this project take shape!

Exciting growth is coming to Whitehouse!

UT Health East Texas is expanding access to care with a new 11,000+ square-foot clinic now under construction at 710 Highway 110 N. The facility will be home to six family medicine providers and offer on-site X-ray and laboratory services, making it easier for families in southern Smith County to receive quality care close to home.

The new clinic will provide preventive care, wellness visits, chronic disease management, minor procedures and more, all in one convenient location.

Learn more at the link in the comments.

08/21/2026

🍪 Another sweet addition to Whitehouse!

The Cookie Decorating Studio has taken an exciting step with the opening of its new storefront in Whitehouse.

Moving into a dedicated commercial space marks an important milestone for a local business and adds another unique destination for residents and visitors to enjoy right here in our community.

Congratulations to The Cookie Decorating Studio on the opening of its new location. We wish them continued success in this next chapter!

Please help us welcome The Cookie Decorating Studio to the Whitehouse Area Chamber of Commerce!
The Cookie Decorating Studio is a new event venue in Whitehouse, Texas. The studio offers cookie decorating events as a special experience for friends, family and co-workers.

You can sign up for $20 classes and enjoy a beautiful setting as you are guided step by step on how to decorate your themed set of cookies with a pre-recorded video tutorial. These events last 45 minutes and are an affordable way to do something fun in town with the kids.

Live events are $35 with in person step by step guidance on how to decorate your themed set of cookies. These events are adults only and are available on Tuesday evenings or Saturday afternoons. Usually they last 90 minutes and are perfect for a date night or girl’s night out.

At the front of the space is a unique treat shop stocked full of delicious cookies, cake pops, and many other gourmet quality individually packaged sweets. The vendor for the store is Good Juju Gourmet Cookies - a long time favorite in East Texas.

The store hours are Tuesday thru Thursday 12 - 8 pm, Friday 12-10 pm and Saturday 12-6 pm.

The studio is also available for private bookings for up to 12 guests. For larger groups or children’s parties, you can request to have those scheduled at your location.

Information for studio events can be found at www.cookiedecoratingstudio.com

The owner, Julia Bradshaw, has over 9 years experience hosting fun and interactive cookie decorating workshops all over East Texas. Julia is a long-time resident of Whitehouse with her youngest being a Freshman this year. She has been providing businesses and individuals with gourmet quality cookies since 2016.

Stop by and welcome The Cookie Decorating Studio to the Chamber!!