Memo
To:
LEDC Board of Directors
From:
Mandy Walsh
cc:
Finley deGraffenried
Date:
March 22, 2017
Re:
LEDC February Monthly Report
Sales Tax
Sales tax collection in February was $182,050.81. Collection in 2016 was $181,829.53.
This represents a 0.12% increase. Sales tax is up 5.7% for the fiscal year.
Marketing
 LEDC website analytics & social media reports attached
 Drafting a master marketing plan for 2017
o Do we have a clear vision and mission statement? Ideas:
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VISION: Lampasas will be a sound economic competitor, providing
opportunities for commercial and industrial development that enable
business owners and residents to benefit from our dynamic economy,
strong labor force, and unmatched living and working environment.
MISSION: The mission of the Lampasas Economic Development
Corporation is to promote the economic growth of the City through the
attraction of new business and industry, along with the retention of
existing businesses by providing resources that enable development,
stimulate job opportunities and improve quality of life in the community.
Updating real estate & job opportunities on website; also working on a master
list of current businesses and a description of each business (with photo) for site.
Working with Monica & Civic Plus on re-vamping the website; making it more
user-friendly and easy to navigate.
o Met with Marketing Alliance regarding programs for EDC websites that
are beneficial. Ex: interactive maps, 3D visuals of potential businesses in
the Business Park, etc.
LEDC social media analytics attached; branding and promoting through
LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook channels.
o Would like to discuss potential marketing funds to promote LEDC efforts
on social media. You can target an audience based on age, location, and
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if they “like” the LEDC page you can reach their friend database, or you
can choose your own criteria based on keywords, etc. Ex: for $20 I can
reach 2,700-7,000 or maximize at $1,500 and reach 350,000 of a
targeted audience with interest in our content. The campaign duration is
set at our discretion.
o I met with Texas Wide Open for Business Site Selection Publication. This
is an annual publication that comes from the Governor’s office, but the
cost of an ad is fairly expensive. I believe we can be more effective using
online tools/channels and can discuss placing an ad in 2018.
Working on a video highlighting local businesses and their owners. My goal is to
promote local businesses and build brand/city ambassadors so my questions
will be brief, but all geared towards “What is it you love about Lampasas?” I am
looking at a free video app where I can tie the content together by using my
phone, showcase their businesses, add music and create a professional piece
to use for local business promotion.
Met with CTC Coordinator and CTE Director at LISD; I will be working with them
to organize a monthly meeting with representatives from the following: CTC,
TWC, LISD, LCHEC and LEDC (myself) to forecast, plan, execute, etc. potential
programs and resources for our students and workforce.
o Attending the CTE Community Partners lunch on 4/5.
o Discussing a job fair in May or June at LCHEC. Will meet with Derrick
Barrios in the coming weeks and should have more information at the
next meeting in regards to funds, timeline, etc.
Networking – I have attended the TEDC Legislative Conference, Lion’s Club,
Courtyard Square Association, Chamber of Commerce events and Texas
Midwest Communication Network for Economic Developers. I plan to attend the
next Kiwanis Club Meeting, a Texas Workforce Commission Workshop in Killeen
(3/23), the TEDC Basic Economic Development Course (June) and the TEDC
Tax Workshop in September.
Joined Austin Young Business Professionals Network.
Business Park
 Accompanied Finley to the Executive Session of County Commissioners Court
on 3/13 and they made a motion to begin drafting a Chapter 381 agreement for
AWI property tax abatement; no terms decided yet.
 LAMCO, Steve McDonald, interested in expanding to business park location.
o Discussion regarding possible construction of spec buildings?
Business Recruitment & Expansion
 LAMCO looking at expanding business to the Business Park.
 BHI finalized their new site location on Key Ave.
 Continued work with Ajinomoto Windsor on expansion efforts to Business Park.
 Met with marble/quartzite/granite manufacturing client looking to start up a
Central Texas location.
City of Lampasas, LEDC September 2016 Staff Report
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Met with Roll-Call Security & Communications owner. He is interested in
purchasing 311/313 E. Third St. and has applied for NEZ funding in order to
assist with renovation.
Meetings
 February:
o Met with CYSA, downtown and local business owners (total of
approximately 50) to get an understanding of the business climate, their
challenges and successes.
o Met with AWI to finalize details on funding and relocation to Business
Park.
o Attended Texas Economic Development Council Legislative Conference
in Austin.
 Met with State Rep. Scott Cosper’s Chief of Staff
 Networked with TEDC members from all across Texas
 Met with Texas Wide Open for Business Site Selection publication
o Attended Texas Midwest Communications Network, Economic
Development Alliance meetings in San Saba.
o Linda Moore-Lanning has connected me to a contact of hers in New York
that is interested in visiting Lampasas in the coming weeks and working
with investors on a few potential start-up businesses.
o Attended Commissioners Court and City Council meetings
o Met with Heart of Texas Defense Alliance, Ken Cox to get a better
understanding of the workforce potential coming from Fort Hood.
 Ken extended the invitation to attend the unveiling of the new
Interstate 14 in April. I plan to attend on April 22.
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March:
o Discussing options with two companies to obtain an updated traffic count.
Reece Oestreich and I have been discussing the need for this.
o Met the Statesman contact that created the LEDC promotional video. We
discussed circling back later this year once we have more updates on the
business park.
o Met with TWC, LISD Superintendent & CTE Director, CTC Coordinator &
Lampasas County Higher Education Center Director
o Attended the City Council Sign Ordinance meeting on 3/6 and met with
several current business owners.
o Attended a portion of Christmas on the Creek meeting and met with the
men and women that run that group.
o Met with Vision members.
o Met with the Public Library and have attended a few of their events to
promote our local library.
o Meeting with AWI Plant Manager 3/21
o Meeting with Connie Blair from TourTexas.com on 3/22
o Meeting with LISD Superintendent Dr. Rascoe
City of Lampasas, LEDC September 2016 Staff Report
o Attending Texas Workforce Commission Business and Education Forum
in Killeen on 3/23.
City of Lampasas, LEDC September 2016 Staff Report