Question #7 Candidates Answers to Forum Questions
How would you rate the city’s current efforts in fostering economic development and what actions do you feel need to be taken to promote continued economic development in Copperas Cove?
January 28, 2009
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We’re not getting our return for the buck, we’re going to have to do some heavy thinking in this area & it just might be to follow what has worked out real good in other Central Texas cities or communities ( Harker Heights / Killeen ) put the EDC and Chamber together.
Chuck Downard
Place 3
Comment by Marty Smith — January 28, 2009 @ 9:27 pm
I think the EDC has done a good job. It is very hard to try and attract new businesses in a bad economy. Door knocking is going to be the best way for the EDC to get these new businesses interested in Copperas Cove. I’ve been saying the same thing over and over that if we don’t build more houses to grow our population we are off the radar of large chain stores. We just don’t have a large enough customer base for them. This also will be what helps our small business owners to grow.
Michael Zehr
Place 3
Comment by Marty Smith — January 28, 2009 @ 10:30 pm
Economic development should be diversified and we should be looking at nationwide recruitment of business, not just local or within the state of Texas. There are numerous firms that keep expanding their businesses, looking for economical realistic locations with a good employee base. We have that base of potential employees and we need to ensure that national and international businesses are aware of the potential that the city offers. Federal government contracting corporations should be contacted and made aware of how the city can support their needs. A tax deferral might be offered for the first year of so in order to entice new businesses.
Bill Stephens
Place 5
Comment by Marty Smith — January 28, 2009 @ 10:31 pm
Allow them (small business owners) to be part of our decision making process. They know and understand the Copperas Cove (CC) area better than anyone. The local EDC has an employee that specializes in business; they also need to be included in the planning meetings. I would push for an open meeting to include all citizens and their recommendations. The citizen knows what they want and need in our city. The Chamber of Commerce and EDC are key players, their leadership and advice will help improve our economy.
Comment by Danny Palmer — January 29, 2009 @ 1:14 am
Fair. Tough times are hard on small businesses. The community needs to support local businesses. The Chamber of Commerce is key in getting the word out and fostering good will for owners of established businesses. The EDC needs to continue to look for enterprises that would be successful in the community. City Council needs to pay attention to the trends of business and ensuring planning is going in the right direction.
Danny Palmer Place #4
Comment by Danny Palmer — January 29, 2009 @ 1:53 am
The real question is “What does Cove have to sell?” We are not exactly on the beaten path in Central Texas. If you are a business owner looking to relocate your business what would make you move your operation to Cove. Good schools? Low taxes? Major highway system? Good recreational facilities for the kids? Good water system? Good, stable political environment? I feel the Council needs to address and solve the day to day requirements in maintaining our City. If we can take care of the basic quality of life requirements we will indeed be fostering a healthy Economic Development environment.
Charlie Youngs
Place 1
Comment by Marty Smith — January 29, 2009 @ 11:57 am
Overall I have seen the City of Copperas Cove be an active participant in the growth of the City in economic development. This needs to be a vital function of the cities elected and appointed officials. The city’s Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Corporation have been very visible in every aspect of our growth. This needs to be continued and we may even need to roll up our sleeves and work harder with the certain economic tough times we are experiencing and may face in the future. It is always too easy to “Monday morning quarterback” or have “20/20 hindsight vision” of what we did not do properly before, than to try and look into a crystal ball and forecast the future with clear vision. I see the revitalization of our Downtown area and beautification of especially the Highway 190 corridor and other portions of the city as the most vital to promoting economic development and enhancement. As I have stated before, if a city or business does not have “curb appeal” or is not enticing to its residents or those transitioning through it, they will take their business elsewhere. These are dollars that we can not afford to lose.
Konrad Kohler
Placed 5
Comment by Marty Smith — January 29, 2009 @ 3:21 pm
? I think that many of the pieces of the economic development are almost in place. We need to make sure we have the infrastructure in place water, sewer, and roads so that we can bring in retail development.
David Wilson
Place 5
Comment by Marty Smith — January 29, 2009 @ 3:22 pm
Mr. Zehr- you incorrect about our population being any part of the economic development problem. There a communities with half of our population that have seen remarkable retail growth. Plus the out laying areas around Gatesville, Lampasses, etc provide an even larger economic pool that is currently going to Killeen, Temple, and even Waco. Our city is not providing enough incentive for us to be competitive in recruiting new business. What suggestions do you have to remedy this situation?
Comment by gregghill — January 29, 2009 @ 3:56 pm
Mr. Hill, sorry you think I am wrong but I own and operate two businesses in Copperas Cove and any business owner knows customer base is the number reason you stay in business. I’m not saying we can’t attract business but attracting the large chains is were we fall short. I really think they still don’t know Copperas Cove exist and what we have to offer. We need to be out door knocking and getting in front of them and then follow up follow up and follow up with them.
Michael Zehr
Place 3
Comment by avalar — January 30, 2009 @ 9:54 pm
There has been great progress between the City of Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce and the EDC. Over time we will begin to see the efforts of the three organizations pay off.
Joseph Solomon Place 4
Comment by Marty Smith — January 31, 2009 @ 12:21 pm