07/18/2023 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Ms. Hammond continued with the presentation by discussing coordination with local leadership to call on corporate headquarters. In the last two years, the PEDC has called on Turner Industries, Campbell Soup, Kimberly Clark, Potter’s, Huhtamaki, and American SpiralWeld Pipe. In addition, an incentive review committee was established to assist in establishing internal guidelines for upcoming project incentives. The section concluded with Ms. Hammond thanking Chairman Bray, Mr. Coleman, and Mr. Fendley for their time in participating in this committee. Ms. Hammond ended by stating that this committee is active and will continue meeting as needed. Attract New Employers and Industry: Under initiative two, Ms. Hammond stated that the PEDC has set out to coordinate with Cox Field to identify opportunities and as such, has formed a great relationship with the new airport manager, Paul Strahan, and has had several meetings. She went on to provide the following highlights: presently there are 1,600 acres of land at Cox Field with 500 of those acres dedicated to industrial/commercial use; of those acres, less than 100 acres are served by utilities. Acknowledging that while the land is sizeable, she went on to note that there are several challenges including the availability of utilities, extension of taxiways, and funding. Ms. Hammond resumed the presentation by discussing the various aspects of the new website and the steps that have taken place since starting in early 2023. She noted that site selectors and businesses will visit your website first before they even reach out to you and expressed how important it is that the PEDC have a website that is attractive, interactive, and up to date. She went on to state that the website will provide a more visual appeal and a higher level of interactiveness. Ms. Hammond stated that the website is nearing completion and followed by playing a brief video clip preview of the Southwest Industrial Park, stating a video will be created for each industrial park. Mr. Terrell provided commentary, providing that the video looks great. This sentiment was echoed by several members of the board. Continuing the discussion about initiative two, Ms. Hammond noted that over the past year, there have been 81 leads mainly originating from the Governor’s Economic Development Office. Of those 81 leads, the PEDC was eligible to submit 46. She provided a summary of attraction projects stating it has been a very successful year with four attraction projects. These attraction projects included Trison Tarps, LionsHead Tire and Wheel, Universal Fabricating, and Amesta Packaging; two of these projects were FDI projects. The section concluded with Ms. Hammond highlighting that within less than a year of learning of Skinner’s closing, the PEDC was able to assist and support a company in acquiring the facility, creating jobs, and starting production. Ms. Hammond also provided an update on Ametsa Packaging, stating that as of last month, they had already hired 40 FTEs. Cultivate An Entrepreneurial Ecosystem: Over the past year, the PEDC has met with approximately four entrepreneurs. The PEDC has been averaging approximately four entrepreneurs yearly, ranging from microbreweries to manufacturing. Support Workforce Development Programming: The PEDC continues to support Workforce Solutions and PJC in a grant. Ms. Hammond highlighted that Northeast Texas Workforce Solutions recognized the PEDC in December of 2022 with a Partnership Award. The PEDC will continue that relationship moving forward. Additionally, the PEDC supported a job fair in partnership with Workforce Solutions and PJC. In addition, the Community Advisory Board will support training individuals for the trailer industry. Lastly, the PEDC will continue to participate, in partnership with the Chamber, in North Lamar’s Career Day.