Vernon, Texas Community and Economic Development Initiative

1
Vernon, TexasCommunity and Economic Development
Initiative

• Presented By
• The Business Development Corporation of Vernon
• The City of Vernon
• Wilbarger County
• The Vernon Chamber of Commerce
• September 5, 2008

2
Project History

• April 2007 BDC Contacts TEEX for a Community
  Baseline Study and Economic Development
  Assessment
• Identify Best Opportunities for economic,
  community and tourism growth
• Educate Vernons Elected Leadership about
  trends and opportunities in above categories

3
The Process

• Community Round-Table with Vernon Community
  Leaders January 2008
• City
• County
• Chamber
• BDC
• Community Workshops with Vernon Citizenry March
  6th and 7th 2008 at RRVM
• Small Business Owners
• College Students
• Teachers
• Homemakers
• Farmers
• Realtors
• Bankers
• Etc
• No Elected Officials, City, County or BDC
  employees or board members present at these
  meetings
• De-Brief with BDC, City and County of final
  Vernon Community and Economic Development
  Initiative April 4, 2008 in College Station

4
The Results

• Water Quality Perception
• Downtown/Main Street Revitalization Program
• Local Government and Community Interaction
• Capitalize on Western Heritage Tourism
• Water Resources
• Wilbarger Auditorium
• Better Workforce
• Coordinated Tourism Effort
• Covered Events Center (aka Arena)
• Youth Activities
• Beautification
• Attract New Industry
• RRVM Expansion
• Water Park
• Paved Roads
• Capitalize in Auto Related Tourism
• Airport
• Jailhouse/Tourism Attraction

5
Where Were At Today

• Covered Event Center Under Construction
• Cooperation between governmental agencies to Get
  things Done
• Leadership Vernon program
• New Industry Attraction
• Green Industry Companies
• Vernon Revitalization Committee
• Youth Activities
• Swimming Pool Initiative

6
Next Steps

• Communication, Coordination, Cooperation
• City, County, BDC and Chamber agree to lead the
  charge and be held accountable to Citizens of
  Vernon
• Do not lose community momentum
• Progress Reports at least bi-annually to
  community
• We need ALL the Community to be involved and
  committed for the long haul to be successful
• Eat the Elephant One Bite at a time
• Community Support Committees to tackle issues
• BDC will serve as focal point for committee
  development and sign-ups

7
Next Steps cont

• Marketing/Branding of Vernon
• Development of a Shared Community Website
• Downtown Revitalization Efforts
• Main Street
• Wilbarger
• College Drive
• Etc

8
The Resolutions

• BDC Vote
• City Vote
• County Vote
• Chamber Vote

9
Public Comment

• QAs