The Forney Economic Development Corporation held their monthly meeting on May 17, 2012 and kicked it off with good news, the April sales tax revenue is up 32% from last April. Though EDC Director Kim Buttram described May as a “whirlwind” of activity for the city, the financial growth has been encouraging.
The Forney Economic Development Corporation held their monthly meeting on May 17, 2012 and kicked it off with good news, the April sales tax revenue is up 32% from last April. Though EDC Director Kim Buttram described May as a “whirlwind” of activity for the city, the financial growth has been encouraging.
Director Buttram reported that 16 new home building sites had been started in March within the city limits and that the average cost of one of theses new home in Forney is $191,000. Buttram showed the board an impressive new marketing package developed for the city that incorporates the new city logo and branding. Buttram, Mayor Rozell, City Manager Brian Brooks, Assistant City Manager Gina Nash, and a few others from city government will be in Las Vegas on the weekend of May 20-23 at the RECon ICSC. The ICSC is a convention attended by nearly 30,000 people, and Forney will be one of about 1,000 exhibitors at the convention. RECon estimates that nearly 50 percent of industry deals are made at this yearly convention. RECon is a “global real estate convention for the shopping center industry.”
A lot of discussion was held about the EDC's entrepreneur incentive and their facade incentive. Two local businesses submitted applications for these grants, however, at the moment there is no money left in that particular fund. The new fiscal year starts on October 1, but if additional money comes into the fund before then, the EDC Board of Directors will vote on whether to approve the grants for 4-T's BBQ and Wild Bill's. The facade incentive has been reserved to a particular bordered area of downtown Forney, however, the EDC would like to amend the applications and allow more businesses to apply. This year they have had a big response from new and existing businesses. EDC President Matt Ferguson called it, “A great problem to have.” Kim Buttram added, “If EDC decisions were based on need, we would help everyone...but we have to make sure the funds are used in a way to encourage further growth and additional businesses.”
A much anticipated regional medical facility was also discussed at the meeting. The PM Realty Performance Group will own a 32,000 square foot facility with leasable space for medical providers. It will include a 10,000 square foot full-scale emergency center open 24 hours a day. It will even have a Helipad on the roof. It is Phase 2 of the Forney Medical Plaza that is located off Highway 80 and FM 548. They facility is expected to create over 100 jobs in Forney. What it means for Forney is that residents will not have to drive to another town in a medical emergency, you can even have your baby delivered there. Groundbreaking has not yet begun on the project as previously expected. There have been a few delays, but city officials hope to announce the groundbreaking soon. The facility will be getting a 50 percent tax abatement for four years, and the city wants to make sure the number of jobs created will be worthy of that tax break.
As Director Buttram put it, “Forney is not just a city, it's an area.” With over 35,000 people living within the Forney zip code, the EDC and the City of Forney must consider all Forney residents when they seek out new businesses. They are still committed to downtown revitalization and hope to develop a specific action plan for downtown Forney to go with next years budget process. They hope to target tourism and technology for Forney and are excited about the possibilities for Forney's future. They believe that the new Spellman Amphitheater, the emergency medical facility, and the number of new retail businesses that are coming to Forney are all a step in the right direction for the community's growth.
