Accomplishments of the Economic Development Corporation 2008

The Cleveland Economic Development Corporation has been receiving funds since 2003.  Although, the Board of Directors does a biannual review of progress on its goals and objectives, a list of accomplishments to date has been presented at the end of each fiscal year.  This will be the third annual report:

• Offered incentives that retained 148 jobs at Union Tank Car, which were going to Louisiana.  Union Tank Car has now expanded its operations by making a $6,000,000 investment and creating 52 more jobs.  There are now 200 jobs at the Union Tank Car facility paying a minimum of $15.00 per hour.

• Offered incentives to Western Forge, a California manufacturing company, which has already begun its move to the Cleveland area.  There are now 56 jobs at Western Forge paying a minimum of $15.00 per hour.  

• Offered incentives to Martin Chrysler in its relocation from Washington Street to U. S. Highway 59.  Martin Chrysler will invest $2,000,000 and create 10 new jobs with its relocation.

• Recruited the Southeast Texas Research Institute to locate in Cleveland.  The Institute will be a biomedical research facility with a long term goal of establishing a private medical school.

• Improved numerous areas of on-street parking for several businesses in the Central Business District, resulting in improved parking for more than 60 parking spaces.

• Demolished and cleared 49 dilapidated structures, which have provided new sites for new affordable housing and commercial structures.

• Participated in a partnership with the City through grant programs to build 45 new affordable housing units throughout Cleveland.

• Established the City’s first official website, which contains a variety of information.  This website is used by many people, from all over the world, interested in Cleveland.        

• Financed a Retail Development Study, which identified the retail market for the Cleveland area and the retail leakage to other areas.  Several retailers considering Cleveland as a location use this study for their due diligence in making a decision to locate in Cleveland.  Three retailers, Burke’s Outlet, Hibbett’s Sports, and Sears have used this study to make their decisions to locate in Cleveland.  The Study is available to the public on the website.

• Through the assistance of an industrial park planning firm, identified and prioritized three locations for industrial/business parks that would be suitable for development with regard to land, soil conditions, highway access, rail access and availability of utilities.  The EDC has now made a commitment to buy property for an industrial park at one of these sites.  This will enhance the ability of the EDC to attract manufacturing businesses by offering them sites to locate in the Cleveland area.

• Initiated and continuing a partnership with the Operation Refuge to establish a recycling center for paper, plastic and metal.

• Encouraged the City to bring its tax abatement policy in line with Liberty County’s policy so that joint economic development efforts could be made between the City and County.

• Initiated and will be continuing an existing business program with the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce.  This partnership will allow the Cleveland EDC to detect trends in the economic conditions of existing businesses and use its influence and resources to make positive changes in the economic climate.

• Financed a conceptual study for improvements to the Central Business District (CBD).  This study will be the basis for all future improvements in the CBD.

• Initiated and continuing to finance the Liberty County Workforce Academy, which is a consortium of Liberty County school districts and economic development corporations.  This Academy trains high school students and adults for vocational careers during the school year.  Teachers for the Academy are from the surrounding junior colleges.

• Helped to form the Liberty County Economic Development Alliance.  This group of Chamber and Economic Development Executives are working on a community and economic development strategic plan for Liberty County.

• Financed the development of the Cleveland History Museum.  This was done in cooperation with the Cleveland Historical Society.  The museum will be located in the old City Hall at 203 East Boothe and will be opened in December, 2008.

• Financed a civic center and community event digital display sign.  The sign will be located at the City Hall to direct people to the civic center and to announce community events.

• Saw the unemployment rate for this area go from 9.3% of the labor force in 2003 to 6.2% of the labor force in August, 2008.