Page 74 - FDI Alliance International Magazine, July 2019 Interactive Issue_Neat

for our existing business, perpetuating growth makes recruiting companies manufacturing parts
for them and new business opportunities for their for this industry a must. Small tools for fracking,
contractors and clients. We saw opportunity in an plugs, parts, fishing tools, etc. and all manner of
area that was not previously represented in our region small parts for wind turbines are on our radar for
and worked diligently to locate them in Jacksboro, potential relocation to Jacksboro. This growth
The conviction that entrepreneurship creates creating an entirely new ecosystem with growth ecosystem has the potential to also foster logistics
jobs and produces economic growth has become potential. This entity has both a for-profit arm and facilities for shipping products all over the world.
deeply entrenched in the economic development a nonprofit, fundraising component to their business
strategies and programs of Jacksboro and our plan. The initial contacts made with their vendors and We have the available land for construction, the
region. To a great extent our policies and programs contributors have resulted in multiple possibilities for workforce, the schools, a new hospital, a new
facilitate and foster venture creation and early new businesses to locate or move here. housing development with infrastructure in place
venture growth, increasing an entrepreneurship and homes under construction, an excellent quality
ecosystem. Evidence of this activity is seen in the Jacksboro has long been home to a variety of energy of life, and the desire to work with companies to
start-up encouragement programs in Texas. But companies, including wind, gas, and oil. Oilfield join our successful ecosystem. Add Jacksboro’s
entrepreneurship-base growth doesn’t necessarily supplies and services actually make up the bulk of proximity to the metroplex, and you have a winning
require new firms. Instead of only scaling up the businesses operating in our area for many, many combination for growing companies and a growing
businesses, we also work with existing businesses. years. This organic cluster of energy companies community.
We help our businesses identify what they need.
Then we begin the search for those pieces of
the puzzle. We focus on an area of comparative
advantage and new ways of working together. We
make every effort to link innovation capacity and
entrepreneurial capacity.

An entrepreneurial ecosystem is the interaction of
all elements that sustain a system in which increasing
numbers of companies grow faster. For example,
Jacksboro has recently become home to a company
whose mission is to train all First Responders how
to address a threat on human life, in order to limit
casualties of emergency personnel and the citizens
they serve and protect. The Jacksboro Economic
Development Corporation is currently working with
two other companies that manufacture products
useful in this training facility. This is a win/win

74 FDI ALLIANCE | JULY ISSUE 2019