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WIDCO Type A
Regular Meeting
Thursday, May 10 at 8:00 AM
Click HERE for Agenda
Posted 5/4/12 10:30

WEDCO Type B
Regular Meeting
Thursday, May 10 at 9:00 AM
Click HERE for Agenda
Posted 5/4/12 10:30

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The City of Whitesboro, Texas is committed to the promotion and retention of high quality development within the city limits. The economic development team is lead by the Type A Whitesboro Industrial Development Board, the Type B Whitesboro Economic Development Board of Directors and the Whitesboro City Council to offer incentives
and opportunities to business recruitment, retention and expansion. The City will, on a case by case basis, consider providing incentives and/or tax abatements to aid in the stimulation of economic development in Whitesboro.

The economic development team may enter into incentive agreements with landowners on projects demonstrating an increased investment in buildings, fixed assets, increased employment, or an increase in the City’s sales tax revenues.

NOTE: This page of the Whitesboro website is directly accessible at: www.WhitesboroTexas.com/Business

Business Economic Development News

Whitesboro Butterfield Overland Mail Stage Stop and ‘Diamond Station’ Dedication Day
Saturday, September 11, 2010

The WEDCO Board of Directors and Whitesboro City Council invite everyone to downtown on Saturday, September 11, 2010 for a little bit of Whitesboro History and Heritage Preservation.

A project earmarked by WEDCO in early 2010 was to place a Designation Marker at the site of the once ‘Diamond Station’ a stop for the Butterfield/ Overland Mail Route Stagecoach. This historic site is located one mile west of downtown on Main Street/US Hwy 56W and Mr. John Diamond is buried on the site. It is now known as ‘Pioneer Park’. Mr. & Mrs. Carroll Brown purchased the property several years ago and since have undergone a cemetery restoration and beautification task to allow this property to become a park in honor of the Diamond Family and the legacy they leave behind as one of the first settlers in the area.

The dedication of this marker will designate Pioneer Park as a historic site with a beautiful marble marker. The site was designated by the State of Texas as a Historic Site in 1967, yet very few Whitesboro residence understood what the site was actually used for. This hopefully begins the education process of not only Whitesboro area residence but for all visitors to our area and those studying the travels of the Butterfield/Overland Mail Route.

The route stretched from St Louis MS to San Francisco CA, 2800 miles and it took 21 to 25 days to make the trip. An unqualified success. John Butterfield, a New Yorker businessman and financier, spearheaded the first transcontinental stage line by obtaining a $600,000 government contract to establish and run the Overland Mail Company. This year-round operation of the Butterfield Overland Mail dictated the choice of a route through the milder climate of the southern tier of states and territories from September 1858 to 1861. The ‘Diamond Station’ was the second stop inside Texas on its way to California. In establishing the service, John Butterfield was quoted “Remember boys, nothing on God’s earth must stop the United States mail!” And nothing did, during the 21/2 years of service, every eastbound and westbound stage arrived within the 25-day contract time.

The only through passenger on the first westbound stage was Waterman L. Ormsby, a correspondent for the New York Herald, notes tell the story of harnessing wild mules at the ‘Diamond Station’ stop and the length of time it took. Horses were changed to mules in Texas due to the Indian raids. The mules were less sought after than horses by the Indians.

Everyone is invited to the marker dedication, free shuttle rides provided by TAPS will begin at 12:15pm from Downtown City Hall or meet at the location – 1 mile west on Main Street (USHwy 56) on the north side of the roadway at the Historical Marker.

Bynum Eye Car Groundbreaking

Whitesboro Industrial & Economic Development Corporations celebrate the groundbreaking of Bynum Eye Care, PA in Whitesboro. Bynum Eye Care is located at 650 N. US377, Whitesboro Texas (next to Landmark Bank) in a temporary building while the new building is under construction. Patience are being accepted at this time. Phone number for Bynum Eye Care is 903.564.9100. More >>

United Way Kick-Off

Whitesboro Texas represented at the Grayson County United Way Campaign Kick-off Fun Run in Sherman on Saturday, August 28. "Whitesboro...United in Giving back"

Whitesboro Showcases Tourism at Texas State Fair


	Partners Whitesboro Economic Development Corporation (WEDCO) and Texas Lakes Trails and Texas Historical Commission Booth at Texas State Fair showcases the ten (10) Regions of Texas Tourism. (see article)

Each year since partnering with the Texas Lakes Trails, Whitesboro has had the unique opportunity to showcase tourism in the North Texas region for 5 days during the fair time. This year our 5 days were Wednesday, October 7 – Sunday, October 11. This is a partnership coop that Whitesboro Economic Develop- ment Corporation has with Texas Lakes Trails and the Texas Historical Commission to have a booth at the fair promoting tourism throughout the state of Texas. The booth includes all 10 regions of Texas tourism which are Texas Tropical, Forest, Forts, Plains, Lakes, Pecos, Hill Country, Independence and Mountain Trails and runs the entire length of the State Fair. It is located in the Food and Fiber Building and is visited by 1000’s.

Texas is the second most popular destination of tourist in America and heritage tourist stay and spend an average of $29 more per day than other tourist. It is the fastest growing segment of the $40+billion tourism industry in Texas. Whitesboro showcases their heritage tourism with the Butterfield Overland Mail stop and the Agritourism showcasing the Equine Ranch Tours. The showcase at the State Fair has a proven record of increased visitation to cultural and historic sites throughout the state. The cost to participate is built into the membership cost and cost WEDCO nothing extra over man power. “Crawley enjoys the interaction and opportunity to tell 100’s about Whitesboro and the north Texas region, a true opportunity that could not be affordable without the membership and partnership with Texas Lakes Trails.”

WIDCO Receives CiCi Award

WIDCO is awarded the CiCi Award by Trade & Industry Development Magazine for the Community ImPact the IESI project had on the community.

IESI, Corp and WIDCO were chosen as one of the Top 15 Community Impact Economic Development Projects in the Nation for 2009. This award was presented to IESI, Corp and WIDCO by Texas Governor Rick Perry's Economic Development department.

For full details, visit tradeandindustrydev.com


Ribbon Cutting with Mickey Flood as the Corporation President (left of Janis holding the plaque).	The IESI Team is who worked to make the project happen. The award plaques as presented by the Governor's office.

WEDCO / WIDCO Furthers Sidewalk Grant Process

Recently WEDCO (Whitesboro Economic Development Corp) and WIDCO (Whitesboro Industrial Development Corp) set up display at the Whitesboro Chamber of Commerce quarterly breakfast. This display offered information on the sidewalk grant application showcasing a downtown revitalization concept with explanation that the grant application would include funding for the replacement of sidewalks in the Downtown Historic Business District, 100 Block East Main. WEDCO is making application for funding of $150,000.00 with a $50,000 match to be used for the ADA compliance areas in mid-block and inside the walkways on the south side of Main.

Other displayed items included the Red River Valley Tourism Association display and the Community Impact Award. The Red River Valley Tourism Association display showcases the partnership between Whitesboro and neighboring Red River Valley participating communities on both sides of the River involved with tourism for a region that spans 350 miles and includes three states (Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas). The Community Impact Award was presented by the Due North Consulting, Inc “Trade & Industry” magazine to the Whitesboro Industrial Development Corporation and IESI, Corporation for the Economic impact this company made on Whitesboro with the creation of 20 plus jobs in 2008. This is a National recognition which only 15 communities are chosen annually.

WEDCO / WIDCO thought its importance to showcase in their hometown for all breakfast guest, the citizens of Whitesboro and Whitesboro Business leaders and to offer a better understanding of the importance showcasing Whitesboro at Trade and Tourism events. In 2008 and 2009 WEDCO has participated in 16 Tourism shows and 4 Trade shows. This includes the State Fair of Texas and New Mexico. Partnering has allowed the corporation the ability to participate in a number of Trade & Tourism shows with lower travel and booking expenses.

Showcasing what Whitesboro has to offer is a full time job and not one taken lightly by the members of Whitesboro City Council and the Economic Development TEAM. Tourism, business recruitment and business retention is our business and we are open for all suggestions for improvement. You may contact the ED Team at 903.564.4000 or edc@whitesborotexas.com . Members of the TEAM are: Mike Haynie, Craig Falco, Jerry Warren, Amy Goedecke, Jon Sanders, Ralph Burton, Tim Meador, Brandon Parker, Bill Hayes, Tommy Neal, Cary Bryan, Truman Case, Michael Marter, Charles Whitecotton, Mike Pack and Janis Crawley.

Whitesboro Inn & Suites Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Whitesboro Inn - Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Whitesboro Inn & Suites celebrate their grand opening on February 9, 2008. WIDCO assisted with utilities and the building permitting process for this project. Owner Suddath Patel, cutting the ribbon (center)

Whitesboro's new Welcome Marquee Sign

The construction of this was paid for by a Texas Department of Agriculture GO TEXAN (see GO TEXAN link at left sidebar) Downtown Beautification grant and the Whitesboro Economic Development Corporation.

Post Office Beautification

The Whitesboro Post Office property is owned by the Whitesboro Economic Development Corporation and leased to the United States Postal Service with a 20 year lease agreement. The grounds recently took on a new look with the addition of Texas Native plants and a new rock bed on the corner of Main & Union where the Service Monument was relocated from the corner to the center of the bed for better viewing of the monument.

IESI Corporation Groundbreaking

The Whitesboro Industrial Development Corporation recently broke ground with Justin Texas developers, Sammy Harwell & Kelly Kimmey, for construction of a 6000 sq ft maintenance facility to be leased to the IESI Corporation bringing 20 plus jobs to Whitesboro. Pictured here are: L-R WIDCO Board President, Jeff Butts; IESI Division Manager, Richard West; Developers, Kelly Kimmey & Sammy Harwell; WIDCO Board VP, Brandon Parker, Whitesboro Mayor, Dee Welch; County Commissioner, Jackie Crisp; City Administrator, Michael Marter and other community supporters for the project.

Economic Development Director, Janis Crawley noted this project will add an additional $300,000 to the tax base and more than 20 full time primary jobs. WIDCO currently offers 3.15 acres of land in their Industrial Park located at 408 S Union. This facility will be placed on Lot 2 of the Industrial Park. For information about available space in the Park contact the Economic Development Director at edc@WhitesboroTexas.com or by phone (903)564-3311.

Whitesboro Suites Ground Breaking

The Whitesboro Industrial Development Corporation and the City of Whitesboro is proud to announce the Ground Breaking Ceremony for the Whitesboro Inn & Suites that will be located at 31434 East US Hwy 82, Whitesboro Texas.


Left to Right: Whitesboro Mayor, Dee Welch; Owner Sudha Patel; Pete Patel; general contractor Orcas Company, Inc, Rick & Sydney Reynolds; and WIDCO Board President, Jeff Butts.	Left to Right: City Administrator, Michael Marter; WIDCO Board Member, Brandon Parker; Whitesboro Inn & Suites Owner, Sudha Patel; City Council Reps, Mike Pack and Mark Pike; WIDCO Board Member Cary Bryan and WIDCO Board President, Jeff Butts.

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