Dec. 19 Forney EDC gets Strategic Plan Update, considers FAC lease, approves purchase of 110 E. Main

During their regular Dec. 19 meeting, the Forney Economic Development Corp.:

• Presentation by, and discussion with, Tom Stellman of TIP Strategies with Greg Last of EDT Best Practices re: progress and future direction of the Strategic Plan.
  Discussed whether being a bedroom community was a liability, or if Forney could grow towards more job creation.
  Critical mass appears to have been reached for attracting retail development.
  Future expansion of the Gateway development and the involvement of the Hunt is an opportunity.
• Reviewed beta version of the new EDC website. All pictures on the site are local people and places.
• The Forney Arts Council will continue to try and acquire the Reagin House. They hope to get a grant of about $150,000. There would be a performance agreement, and if that is met for the 10 year term, the FAC would own the house. The FAC would lease some of the property to artisans, a room to the FEDC for a visitors center and possibly a business incubator section. The FAC's lease with Crumbzz would probably remain unchanged.
• After a lengthy executive session, the board:
  
  • Declined to take action on a lodging/tourism analysis
  • Approved the Executive Director to move forward with purchase of 110 E. Main St. for an amount to not exceed $400,000, and to prepare a public hearing for the purchase of another downtown property.