Marble Falls looks for industry identity to spur growth
MARBLE FALLS — Health and wellness careers as well as light manufacturing companies might be the key to future growth, researchers told city leaders during the Economic Development Corp. meeting Dec. 5.
Officials with TIP (Theory into Practice) Strategies unveiled their recommendations aimed at taking Marble Falls to another level of economic success. “You should primarily be focusing on manufacturing that would be serving the local regional market,” senior consultant Alan Cox said.
Examples included a bicycle-making factory or construction and building materials manufacturing.
The so-called Target Industry Analysis also offered other possibilities such as resort- and recreation-related companies, technical services and medical-related fields.
Other suggestions included working with local facilities of higher education to expand healthcare education and training programs.
“We can review this in our workshop as far as working this into our plans,” EDC President John Packer said.
EDC members are scheduled to host a comprehensive goals review in January.
In other business, EDC officials approved drafting a budget amendment for the first-year payout regarding a performance agreement with Scott & White Healthcare, which is building a regional hospital at the intersection of U.S. 281 and Texas 71.
The $2.3 million, five-year agreement, to be approved on a year-to-year basis (2012-2017), includes — $347,000, 62 jobs; $302,000, 54 jobs; $1.1 million, 210 jobs; $549,000, 98 jobs; and $123,000, 22 jobs.
connie@thepicayune.com