HARLINGEN 100 PLAN UPDATE Economic Development HARLINGEN EDC September 10, 2009
BUSINESS RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION Board adopted – The “Guiding Principles” for HEDC Provide assistance to “basic” business/industry Help existing industry expand Support large-scale commercial development – The Program of Work
Community Fact File – 350 site location consultants – 500 national commercial and industrial realtors – Won SEDC Literature Award (08) Fact Book – Won SEDC Literature Award (09) Update Sites and Buildings 4,000 target industry data base BUSINESS RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION
Marketing CORENET International Asset Management Council Site Selection Network Site Location Consultants Forum Matamoros Maquila Association Matamoros Economic Development Corp. Reynosa Economic Development Committee Team Texas / TexasOne
BUSINESS RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION New website ( – 10,704 website visits since 11/4/08 launch Search engine optimization Direct mail campaign – 4 postcard series (won SEDC Literature Award 09) Advertising Public relations campaign
BUSINESS RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION Regional Economic Development – Rio South Texas Economic Council Joint Marketing Program – Rio Tech Fund Entrepreneurial Venture Capital – Tech Prep of the RGV – Overseas Security Advisory Council Security issues for U.S. firms doing business in Mexico
BUSINESS RETENTION STRATEGY Work with Harlingen Manufacturers Association Call on 30 companies per year 8 firms have expansion plans – Aloe Laboratories – 20,000 sq. ft. – 15 jobs – Pocket Communications – 18,000 sq. ft. – 260 jobs (80 existing plus 180 new)
BUSINESS RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION Sixty-Three total projects since 10/1/08 – 22 Ongoing – 6 Complete – 7 State Leads – 26 Dead Fifty-five prospects visits – 3 locations UHG Spring Dynamics Rental World
BUSINESS RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION COMPANYINVESTMENTJOBS Pocket Communications$2,380, Aloe Labs$500,00015 Spring Dynamics$1,400,00035 VA Ambulatory Health$41,000, UnitedHealth Group$12,600, Rental World$1,600,00040 Total$59,480,0001,482
SUPPORT MAJOR RETAIL DEVELOPMENT HARLINGEN CORNERS $33 million project - 375,000 square feet Kohl’s Logan’s Roadhouse Marshall’s Bed, Bath and Beyond Shoe Carnival Maurices Super Cuts Hibbett Sports Rue 21 $3 million infrastructure
Tourism Develop a plan to attract an upscale hotel with meeting facilities – Developed factual presentations and potential sites – Hosted 8 visits by hotel representatives – Hotel/Conference Center feasibility study
Healthcare Position Harlingen as Healthcare Hub of the Region – Funded Harlingen Healthcare Plan (UTHSC-ST) – Worked to insure long term property solutions Purchased 35 acre tract for development – Funded road extension to VA Health Center
Education Participated in planning for Joint Articulation Center – TSTC Master Plan Update – Program Design Study underway – EDC budgeted $4.2 million for facility