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Why This Matters <br />Regional growth from DFW presents tremendous opportunity, but stakeholders expressed frustration with <br />permitting hurdles, workforce misalignment, and housing gaps. Downtown momentum is praised but risks <br />becoming the sole geographic beneficiary of investment. This Outcome focuses on creating broadly shared <br />prosperity through workforce development, housing diversity, business support, and strategic <br />infrastructure. <br />Promote a Prosperous Community focuses on building the conditions that allow Paris's residents, <br />businesses, and institutions to thrive. This Outcome emphasizes economic vitality, housing opportunity, <br />workforce alignment, and collaboration with regional partners to expand prosperity throughout the <br />community. It recognizes that economic development is not limited to recruitment—it includes the <br />everyday work of supporting local entrepreneurs, strengthening infrastructure, and creating pathways for <br />residents to participate fully in the city's growth. <br />During the City Council's strategic planning workshop, economic development emerged as both a <br />continuing strength and a future priority. Council members highlighted the city's strong downtown <br />momentum, available land for growth, and an improving business climate, while also noting barriers such <br />as housing shortages, workforce skill gaps, and complexity in the development process. Subsequent <br />Department Director sessions reinforced these findings, calling for modernization of the City's development <br />code, improved communication with developers, and greater use of partnerships to attract and retain <br />investment. <br />Key Activities under this Outcome focus on advancing Paris's economic competitiveness through targeted <br />programs and policy updates. These include expanding the "5 -in -5" infill housing program, implementing <br />Chapter 380/381 incentive policies, strengthening small business and micro -enterprise support, and <br />coordinating city -managed data to more nimbly respond to PEDC needs on a proactive basis. Downtown <br />traffic -calming, marketing, and branding efforts further tie economic opportunity to quality -of -place <br />investments. <br />Together, these initiatives create a comprehensive approach to prosperity—one that balances business <br />growth with livability, fosters innovation, and ensures that the benefits of progress are shared across all <br />parts of the community <br />