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Business Wire
09-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
KBRA Assigns AAA Rating to Harris County, TX Permanent Improvement Refunding Bonds, Series 2025A and Unlimited Tax Road Refunding Bonds, Series 2025A; Affirms Related Ratings
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--KBRA assigns a long-term rating of AAA to the Harris County, TX Permanent Improvement Refunding Bonds, Series 2025A and Unlimited Tax Road Refunding Bonds, Series 2025A. KBRA additionally affirms the long-term rating of AAA for the County's outstanding Limited Tax Obligations and Unlimited Tax Obligations. The rating Outlook is Stable. Key Credit Considerations The ratings reflect the following key credit considerations: Credit Positives Sizable and diversifying economy, centered around the nation's fourth largest city, that has benefitted from above average property tax base growth. Strong financial profile supported by generally favorable operations and considerable balance sheet resources, derived from stable property tax collections. Robust financial management practices, including a comprehensive budgeting process, frequent intra-fiscal year monitoring, and the maintenance of prudent reserves. The County electorate in November 2024 approved a permanent increase in the O&M property tax levy for the Harris County Flood Control District that will provide an additional $100 million each year toward activities mitigating future flood risks and protecting the property tax base. Credit Challenges Susceptibility to significant storm activity given its domicile on Texas's Gulf Coast, as evidenced by Hurricane Harvey (2017) and the less severe but still significant disaster events of 2024 including Hurricane Beryl. Flexibility to increase the O&M property tax levy without voter approval is constrained by SB 2 of 2019 which reduced the growth cap on O&M property tax assessments for existing property to 3.5% annually compared to the prior 8% limit. This limitation may pressure the County's budgetary balance over time. Rating Sensitivities For Upgrade Not applicable for this rating level. For Downgrade Significant deterioration in operating reserves and liquidity. A secular decline in the socioeconomic profile of the County. To access ratings and relevant documents, click here. Methodologies Public Finance: U.S. Local Government General Obligation Rating Methodology ESG Global Rating Methodology Disclosures A description of all substantially material sources that were used to prepare the credit rating and information on the methodology(ies) (inclusive of any material models and sensitivity analyses of the relevant key rating assumptions, as applicable) used in determining the credit rating is available in the Information Disclosure Form(s) located here. Information on the meaning of each rating category can be located here. Further disclosures relating to this rating action are available in the Information Disclosure Form(s) referenced above. Additional information regarding KBRA policies, methodologies, rating scales and disclosures are available at About KBRA Kroll Bond Rating Agency, LLC (KBRA), one of the major credit rating agencies (CRA), is a full-service CRA registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as an NRSRO. Kroll Bond Rating Agency Europe Limited is registered as a CRA with the European Securities and Markets Authority. Kroll Bond Rating Agency UK Limited is registered as a CRA with the UK Financial Conduct Authority. In addition, KBRA is designated as a Designated Rating Organization (DRO) by the Ontario Securities Commission for issuers of asset-backed securities to file a short form prospectus or shelf prospectus. KBRA is also recognized as a Qualified Rating Agency by Taiwan's Financial Supervisory Commission and is recognized by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners as a Credit Rating Provider (CRP) in the U.S. Doc ID: 1010281
News.com.au
07-07-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
‘Everyone thought we were nuts': Woman's idea that turned into a multimillion-dollar success
Jose Bryce Smith was running a hair salon when she risked $80,000 to back her own simple but innovative idea. Back in 2007, Ms Bryce-Smith conceived the idea to launch Original & Mineral, a haircare line that focused on using natural ingredients instead of chemicals. The 50-year-old said even though $80,000 was a staggering amount back in 2007 she always knew what she could afford to spend. 'Although $80K was a lot in the early 2000s, we had a good business, our hair salon! So if we did lose it, we knew we could make it back,' she told 'We believed in the product.' Ms Bryce-Smith might have been sure about her plan, but not everyone else was sold on the idea. 'Everyone thought we were nuts,' she said. 'Some people told me to get a proper job, since I'd had a career in advertising in the UK, and for many years I earned no money doing O&M.' She also found it hard to get people to believe in the product because many claimed it wasn't possible to make hair products without ammonia. There was one person though who completely supported her even when she wasn't making a wage from the bold idea. 'My mum always had an unwavering belief in me and my ability to do anything.' she said. 'I've never been afraid to back myself, I mean, what's the worst that can happen? You fail. I've done a lot of that, and I learned a lot from it, which set me up for success.' The fact that Ms Bryce-Smith always believed in herself and the brand turned out to be a winning recipe. Original & Mineral is now stocked at over 50,000 salons globally and a product sells every 8 seconds. That doesn't mean the success didn't come without failure along the way. Looking back, she can see the mistakes she made. 'I think one of the biggest mistakes was choosing the wrong people, letting people pick me instead of me picking them,' she said. 'Starting a business is a very entrepreneurial mission, and the lows are not for everyone. There's a lot of pivoting and problem-solving.' There has been so much success along over the years, but Ms Bryce-Smith is still buzzing about launching their hair colouring product a decade ago. 'We cracked the formula in 2015,' she said. What makes the product special is that it doesn't smell and there are no fumes. As Aussies have come to care more about wellness and health, the product has grown in popularity and really took off during the pandemic. The success has led to the brand growing even further, and now there are over 50 people working in the head office in Sydney. The profit is in the 'tens of millions' and has grown four times the size in the last few years, with the business continuing to scale up. Most importantly though, Ms Bryce-Smith is proud of what she's created and still believes in what she's doing. 'It was never about the size and growth (that is) a by-product of doing what you love,' she said.
India.com
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Meet actor, who was expelled from school due to Shah Rukh Khan, worked as content writer, now owns Rs 245 crore; His name is...
There are only a few actors who have the same level of energy both on-screen and off-screen. Born into a Sindhi family in Mumbai, this actor's grandmother was an actress in Lahore, Pakistan, and even appeared in Raj Kapoor's film Boot Polish in 1954. Interestingly, his parents never considered pursuing a career in acting. However, his maternal aunt, Sunita, married actor Anil Kapoor, making him the cousin of Sonam Kapoor. You must have guessed by now who this actor is! We are talking about actor Ranveer Singh. His entry into Bollywood was not easy. It was difficult for him to get into movies. Though he was a die-hard fan of acting and dancing, he used to participate in several school plays and debates. Why did Ranveer Singh get expelled from school? One day, in his school classroom, he was listening to the song ' Chaiyya Chaiyya' from Shah Rukh Khan and Malaika Arora's film ' Dil Se '. When teachers got to know about this, he was suspended from school. How did Ranveer Singh get into Bollywood? Ranveer Singh completed his Bachelor's in Arts degree in Telecommunications from Indiana University Bloomington in 2008. At the university, he decided to take acting classes and took up theatre as his minor. He worked for a few years in an advertising company as a copywriter, with agencies like O&M and J. Walter Thompson. Ranveer Singh has also worked as an assistant director but left it to pursue acting. Singh then decided to send his portfolio to the directors. For this, he would go for all kinds of auditions, but did not get any good opportunities, while only getting calls for minor roles. He had once said, 'Everything was so bleak. It was very frustrating. There were times I would think whether I was doing the right thing or not.' How did Ranveer Singh get his first role? It was 2010 when Ranveer Singh auditioned for a lead role in YRF's Band Baaja Baaraat. Aditya Chopra was impressed with his audition, and he was confirmed to play Bittoo Sharma, who was opposite Anushka Sharma. Life changed for Ranveer soon after that as he signed movies like Ladies vs Ricky Bahl, Lootera, Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, Gunday, Dil Dhadakne Do, Bajirao Mastani, to name a few. He became a superstar. What is Ranveer Singh's Net Worth? According to The Times of India, CNBC TV18, and ABP Live , Ranveer Singh's fee has increased to Rs 50 crore after the success of his film 83. His net worth is reportedly around Rs 245 crore. Ranveer, who became a father to a daughter last year, will be seen in Aditya Dhar's Dhurandhar. The spy-actioner will be released in December.
Argaam
16-06-2025
- Business
- Argaam
ACWA Power files with Kuwait's CPA to acquire 3 firms
Kuwait's Competition Protection Agency (CPA) received a request from ACWA Power Co., AZN Dutch Holdco No.1 B.V Co., AZN Dutch Holdco No.2 B.V Co., and AZN O&M Co. W.L.L to approve their economic concentration transaction. In a statement, the agency said ACWA Power filed for acquiring 100% of AZN Dutch Holdco No.1 B.V and AZN Dutch Holdco No.2 B.V, in addition to 50% of AZN O&M, which are owned by Kahrabil Company (MMH). AZN Dutch Holdco No.1 B.V and AZN Dutch Holdco No.2 B.V are holding companies, while AZN O&M is active in the operation, supply, development and maintenance of electrical energy and desalinated drinking water, according to the statement.
The Hindu
14-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Erode Corporation to auction modern abattoir at Vairapalayam
The Corporation will soon auction the modern cow slaughterhouse, constructed at a cost of ₹75 lakh at Vairapalayam, and has outlined various guidelines for its operation and maintenance by the contractor. Established on a 10,500 sq ft site under the Infrastructure Gap Filling Fund 2016–17 in Zone I, the facility is intended to operate under the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) scheme for the slaughter of large animals (cows). The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board has granted Consent to Operate, and the facility is now ready for use. Accordingly, the civic body has decided to invite public tenders or conduct an auction to identify a contractor to run the facility. The Corporation has stipulated several conditions for the operator. The contractor is permitted to charge only ₹100 per cow for slaughtering and is also required to serve meat shops within the Corporation limits. Slaughtering must be conducted strictly within the designated space on the premises, and waste must be disposed of within three hours. If the contractor fails to do so, Corporation workers will remove the waste and recover the charges from the operator. Slaughtering is permitted only between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m., and again from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. It is prohibited on designated holidays such as Gandhi Jayanti and Mahavir Jayanti. The operator will bear the electricity charges and must ensure that the premises are properly cleaned, washed, and maintained. An official said that the agenda for the auction was tabled and approved at the council meeting held in May, and the auction process will begin shortly.
