Page 70 - FDI Alliance International Magazine Summer 2020 Digital Interactive Issue

» Leslie as the new economic development director
for Jacksboro EDC what new strategies will you be
implementing to continue to attract foreign direct
investment in 2021 and beyond?
As the EDC moves forward, I will continue to provide the same
great service and attention to detail that the previous Executive
Director, Lynda Pack, provided, but with the intentions to expand
on that through increased social media awareness, an aggressive
marketing and promotion plan and identifying those that realize
the opportunity of business growth and expansion in a community
such as Jacksboro. Our community has the ability and location to be
extremely successful and profitable for a foreign direct investment,
and my goal as an Executive Director is to provide the environment
for them to do just that. e-commerce the ability to take their products/services to the world
wide web and reach an entirely new demographic. This is a huge
» How important is it to Retain, expand and attract new benefit to those that otherwise would not be able to make that
business in Jacksboro Texas? investment and capitalize on reaching a new market.
To be successful within business, retention is key. Without it, it's
» Leslie what are the top 4 industry sectors in Jacksboro
extremely difficult to address the other two aspects of expansion
Texas? what other industries would you like to welcome
and attraction. Retention is built through relationships with business
to your community?
owners. Understanding both their struggles and their success in
order to expand upon it and utilize them as examples for attracting Our top four industries at the current time are healthcare, retail/
new business. restaurant, education and oil & gas. Each of these provides our
» What measures are being taken in Jacksboro Texas to community with jobs and resources and enables Jacksboro to offer
support small businesses during and after the covid - 19 prime amenities that both businesses and families are searching for.
pandemic?
Responding to COVID-19 in Jacksboro Texas has truly given our » Briefly outline the incentive and start up programs for
small businesses an insight to the extent we will go to support them. new businesses in Jacksboro Texas?
We recently launched a Business Rescue Grant program where small Jacksboro is determined and eager to competitively compete for
businesses were given the opportunity to apply for up to $2,500, new business by offering the following programs: Tax Abatement
in an effort to help them bridge the gap on general expenses that Incentives, 380 Agreements & Property Enhancement Grants.
normally would be covered by customers. We realized that with
the shutdown of most businesses and their daily foot traffic that
general operating doesn't shut down, and with continuing cost » What are the key benefits of doing business in Jacksboro
and no customers, they potentially face closure. We were able to Texas? Focus on workforce, business climate and quality
assist over 20 businesses in our small community, granting nearly of life.
$48,000 in funding. We have also just launched a partnership with Doing business in a rural community such as Jacksboro, you get to
The Retail Coach and their Small Biz 360 program that will also “have your cake and eat it too.” It’s truly the best of both worlds.
be grant funded and will enable existing small businesses without You will enjoy the convenience of location and proximity to major

70. FDI ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL