COUNTY LIFE
ICF creates affordable, energy-efficient homes, developer saw a market need in Bowie
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
Kenson Vance is a shrewd businessman, but he also has a desire to develop affordable housing for a community as well as help serve those with special needs.
Vance calls himself a realtor and developer. Making his home in Alvord, he has been working in Bowie the past several years first doing several house “flips.” Two years ago he put in one of the first tiny house projects on the corner of South Mason and Clay Streets. He and a silent partner operate under the name Dynamic Duo.
Bowie was not new to Vance as he grew up enjoying a family home on Lake Amon Carter. In 2020 as the tiny home project was completed, Vance told The Bowie News he feels like he has been part of Bowie all his life, and he loves it. He said trying to do small developments and affordable housing, sale or rental, in Wise County had become cost-prohibitive, especially in Decatur. He has found Bowie to be very open and accommodating.
“We did a couple of flips here, and then when the tornado came we had some bigger ideas. I came up and volunteered for a few weeks, and so did Dana Kilgore, my property manager. Being in real estate I would take people with certain budgets and try to find them something, but we could only find junk, so we started building houses,” explained Vance.
His most recent building projects are using a material not that common in small-town Texas for residential homes, insulated concrete forms.
Dave Cougston oversees Vance’s local construction, and he has been working with ICFs for more than 20 years. Cougston had been building large mansions which are not appropriate to the primary market in Bowie, but these two men see ICFs as a strong alternative to “stick houses.”
“I don’t know why anyone is building houses out of wood anymore,” explained Cougston. “This is such a superior product as far as safety, going greener and creating a healthier home.”
Vance also is working closely with Evergreen Life Services to develop a new facility in Bowie that can assist people with special needs, something that is very close to his heart.
Read the full feature in the weekend Bowie News.
Montague County Commissioner’s Court will meet at 9 a.m. on Nov. 25.
Members will consider an anti-fraud policy and adding it to the personnel policy. The annual liability renewal with the Texas Association of Counties Risk Pool will be reviewed.
Montague County officials will be enrolling in the TAC 2025 certified cybersecurity course required by the state for all employees who use county computers.
Other topics for Monday will include the bond for the county treasurer, review an account application with Schad & Pulte Welding Supply, Inc and consider raising the road hand clothing allowance from $500 to $1,000.
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
It was family night for the City of Bowie Fire Department as members gathered for the annual pre-Thanksgiving awards dinner this week.
Firefighter of the Year awards, service awards and officers and firefighters were pinned with their new badges.
Fire Chief Doug Page opened the evening with a remembrance of a fallen firefighter, James Dunham who died 25 years ago on Nov. 18. This Saint Jo firefighter was responding to a car accident at Forestburg and after he arrived suffered a heart attack. Page noted his daughter is auxiliary member Renee Hart.
Chad Long, member of the department for one year and one month received the Firefighter of the Year Award. Kelly Tomlin, nine-year member, was selected by the volunteers to receive the Roy Gene Williams Award.
Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.
Top photo- New lieutenants Michael Burrows and Chad Gerlach received the oath from Mayor Gaylynn Burris. (Photo by Barbara Green)
The new Montague County Animal Rescue, which will be helping with operation of the new county animal shelter, invite you to “Wine Like A Dog” on Dec. 3 at Kimber Creek Wine Bar and Gift Shop in downtown Bowie.
The evening will include wine and charcuterie from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., while raising funds for the rescue organization. Tickets are $50.
Melanie Gillespie of Montague County Animal Rescue said the new 501c3 has completed its agreement to work with Montague County operating the animal shelter.
“Your support enables us to launch the opening of the first county-run animal shelter. We invite you to join our mission of rescuing, rehabilitating and finding loving homes for animals in need,” said Gillespie.
Limited tickets will be offered at the door based on availability. Those with questions may call Gillespie at 469-951-0215 or email [email protected].
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