Nothing brings Rotarians to a meeting like scheduling Randy Nix as the guest speaker, which is what program chair Mike Rankin did this week.
The club on Wednesday welcomed local investors and entrepreneurs Randy and his wife, Misty. Having formed RMNix Co. LLC, along with their Nix Rental Homes operation, the Nixes have led the Mineral Wells transformation and resurrection.
Primarily, they are principals in the restorations of two historic downtown hotel properties. They formed a public benefit corporation and assembled 88 investors to restore Crazy Water Plaza (aka Crazy Water Hotel.) A mixed-use development, the hotel has already hosted events in its beautiful roof-top ballroom and pavilion. There are 37 air B-and-B rooms and 37 permanent apartments, of which several have been promised for lease.
The plaza has leased all of its downtown retail spaces and plans a Sept. 15 soft opening with a grand opening on date to be determined. A “casting call”-style job fair is set for Aug. 9 and Aug. 19.
The Nixes are also principal investors in the Baker Hotel and Spa restoration, the largest renovation of a historic property in Texas history. Equally important is their lead in acquiring a number of downtown buildings and properties, renovating them and leasing them to new and existing businesses all within a plan and vision to support the two hotels, provide new places to shop, eat and entertain, spur new investors to join in the town's re-development and grow the local economy.
The new Palo Pinto County annex east of downtown is the result of one of the Nixes' initial property acquisitions – the former Bank of America building.
Randy told a large gathering of Rotarians and guests he is equally excited by other things taking place in the city and county. A new manufacturer is preparing to come to town, the result of efforts involving the city Economic Development department under Rotarian David Hawes with assistance from the city's Economic Development Corporation.
The city is also in the process of approving and assisting a major residential development on 110 acres on Garrett Morris Parkway with more than 400 master-planned lots developed in four phases. The city's TIRZ No. 2 board is working to assist that project with the development of needed infrastructure to support the development.
Randy said the county tax office has reported $9 million in new taxable value in 
Mineral Wells and $82 million in the county – where several new residential developments are planned or underway at Possum Kingdom Lake, along the Brazos River and in the southern portions of the county. He noted these new developments and projects will help ease the tax burdens of existing property owners through creating new property and sales taxes and jobs.
Randy also noted an important agreement with a firm overseeing the development and operational oversight plans for Mineral Wells Regional Airport, a major asset in the local economic development tool bag.
Much progress has been done, and much more change and progress are coming that will be seen over the coming several years and beyond. Rotary Club of Mineral Wells appreciates the Nixes, Hawes, Rotarian Cody Jordan, and all of the investors and new businesses as the city reawakens and welcomes the growth and change.
Rotary Club meets every Wednesday at noon at Southside Church of Christ. Lunch is catered by Sadie's Eats. Meetings are for club members, prospective members, and invited guests. For information on becoming a member, find a Rotarian and visit the information on our website at mineralwellsrotary.org.