harlingen 100 plan update economic development harlingen edc september 10, 2009
TRANSCRIPT
HARLINGEN 100 PLAN UPDATEEconomic Development
HARLINGEN EDC
September 10, 2009
BUSINESS RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION
Board adopted – The “Guiding Principles” for HEDC
Provide assistance to “basic” business/industry Help existing industry expand Support large-scale commercial development
– The Program of Work
Community Fact File– 350 site location consultants– 500 national commercial and industrial realtors– Won SEDC Literature Award (08)
Fact Book– Won SEDC Literature Award (09)
Update Sites and Buildings 4,000 target industry data base
BUSINESS RECRUITMENTAND RETENTION
BUSINESS RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION
Marketing CORENET International Asset Management Council Site Selection Network Site Location Consultants Forum Matamoros Maquila Association Matamoros Economic Development Corp. Reynosa Economic Development Committee Team Texas / TexasOne
BUSINESS RECRUITMENTAND RETENTION
New website (www.harlingenedc.com)– 10,704 website visits since 11/4/08 launch
Search engine optimization Direct mail campaign
– 4 postcard series (won SEDC Literature Award 09)
Advertising Public relations campaign
BUSINESS RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION
Regional Economic Development– Rio South Texas Economic Council
Joint Marketing Program
– Rio Tech Fund Entrepreneurial Venture Capital
– Tech Prep of the RGV– Overseas Security Advisory Council
Security issues for U.S. firms doing business in Mexico
BUSINESS RETENTION STRATEGY
Work with Harlingen Manufacturers Association Call on 30 companies per year 8 firms have expansion plans
– Aloe Laboratories – 20,000 sq. ft. – 15 jobs– Pocket Communications – 18,000 sq. ft. – 260 jobs (80
existing plus 180 new)
BUSINESS RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION
Sixty-Three total projects since 10/1/08– 22 Ongoing– 6 Complete– 7 State Leads– 26 Dead
Fifty-five prospects visits– 3 locations
UHG Spring Dynamics Rental World
22
57
26
On-Going Complete State Lead Dead
BUSINESS RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION
COMPANY INVESTMENT JOBS
Pocket Communications $2,380,000 260
Aloe Labs $500,000 15
Spring Dynamics $1,400,000 35
VA Ambulatory Health $41,000,000 400
UnitedHealth Group $12,600,000 732
Rental World $1,600,000 40
Total $59,480,000 1,482
SUPPORT MAJOR RETAIL DEVELOPMENT
HARLINGEN CORNERS $33 million project - 375,000 square feet Kohl’s Logan’s Roadhouse Marshall’s Bed, Bath and Beyond Shoe Carnival Maurices Super Cuts Hibbett Sports Rue 21 $3 million infrastructure
Tourism
Develop a plan to attract an upscale hotel with meeting facilities– Developed factual presentations and potential sites– Hosted 8 visits by hotel representatives– Hotel/Conference Center feasibility study
Healthcare
Position Harlingen as Healthcare Hub of the Region– Funded Harlingen Healthcare Plan (UTHSC-ST)– Worked to insure long term property solutions
Purchased 35 acre tract for development
– Funded road extension to VA Health Center
Education
Participated in planning for Joint Articulation Center– TSTC Master Plan Update– Program Design Study underway– EDC budgeted $4.2 million for facility