WEEK IN REVIEW
Monday A&M wants data center
The Texas A&M University System said it hopes to recruit a private partner for a “state-ofthe-art” data center in Bryan. The 30-acre campus would host servers and back up information from big Austin and Houston organizations.
Economic corridor born
Economic development is the focus in the Third Ward, with new street signs designating the area as an economic corridor. Officials gathered under the signs to celebrate changing Dowling Street’s name to Emancipation Avenue.
Call to understand risks
Scientists, regulators and leaders of Texas’ energy industry must identify and understand the environmental risks of shale oil and gas drilling before air pollution or water contamination leads to tighter restrictions that could ultimately derail the rebounding industry, the leader of a broad new study said.
Tuesday Focus to be built in China
Ford Motor Co. said it would build its next-generation small car for U.S. consumers in China rather than Mexico, where the automaker canceled plans for a new factory this year.
In favor of a carbon tax
Exxon Mobil Corp. and other large oil companies said they are backing a carbon tax proposal put forward earlier this year by a group of former Republican leaders including James A. Baker III, the former secretary of state and a Houston attorney.
Wednesday Brush with tropical storm
Builders and contractors tied down loose ends, and many sent workers home ahead of the possible overnight arrival of Tropical Storm Cindy. Similar scenes unfolded on some offshore oil rigs in the path of the disturbance.
Uniform uproar
American Airlines said it would change uniform suppliers after employees complained the uniforms were causing reactions from hives to wheezing. American told employees that it will not renew a contract with Twin Hill, a division of Houston-based Tailored Brands, when the deal expires in 2020.
Big bucks for tequila brand
Liquor behemoth Diageo said it would pay up to $1 billion to buy a tequila brand co-founded by movie star George Clooney Clooney said he founded the Casamigos brand four years ago with partners Rande Gerber and Mike Meldma Clooney simply because they wanted to make a better-tasting tequila.
Kia is No. 1 again
Kia claimed the top spot in a survey of new-vehicle quality for the second straight year. Genesis, a luxury brand owned by Hyundai Motor Co., was second in J.D. Power’s annual initial quality survey. Porsche, Ford and Ram rounded out the top five.
Thursday Qatar Airways’ surprise
American Airlines said in a regulatory filing that a bid by Qatar Airways to buy 10 percent of the U.S. carrier was unsolicited. Qatar Airways’ move would trigger a U.S. antitrust review and carry political and tradepolicy implications.
Mixed health bill reviews
The U.S. Senate’s health care plan garnered mixed reviews in Texas, with some applauding its sweep, others offering tepid support, and still others voicing outright disgust as they accused the bill of balancing tax cuts on the backs of the state’s most vulnerable.
Friday Rigs keep on coming
Oil and gas companies sent a net eight drilling rigs into U.S. oil patches over the past week, Baker Hughes said, extending the rig count’s record run to 23 straight weeks. The gains came even as oil prices racked up their fifth consecutive weekly loss.