Page 172 - City of Bedford FY21 Budget

City of Bedford
Program Summary
FY 2020-2021

Fund: General
Department: Development Division: Economic Development

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The mission of the Economic Development Division is to enhance the quality of life for residents and the sustainability of City businesses
through the retention and revitalization of existing businesses and neighborhoods and the promotion, recruitment, and coordination of
new commercial and residential development in the City. Staff is focused on comprehensive economic development throughout the
City and those efforts are assisted through a partnership with the Hurst-Euless-Bedford (HEB) Chamber of Commerce. Staff works
independently and cooperatively to market Bedford, the Hurst-Euless-Bedford (HEB) area, Northeast Tarrant County, and the Metroplex
region. This division provides excellent customer service to the private sector development community, Bedford businesses,
prospective businesses, residents, and visitors. The services provided emphasize improving the business climate through specific efforts
in the following projects and activities: new development, redevelopment, workforce development, business retention and expansion,
and small business development.

FY 2019-2020 HIGHLIGHTS

∗ Coordination with developers from Chick-fil-A on new Economic Development Program Agreement; with Northern Tool on new
Economic Development Program Agreement; with Rainbow Shop LLC on new Retail Center Revitalization (RCR) agreement; Monitor
program year milestones and execute rebates on 11 active Economic Development Program agreements.
∗ Large scale, impactful projects include the new 96-room Residence Inn by Marriott hotel in Bedford Forum; Carter BloodCare new
laboratory space; Texas Health HEB Hospital new CT Room in ER; 7-Eleven new construction at Hwy 121/Harwood Rd; two HEB ISD
school bond renovations (Harwood Jr High, Bedford Jr High); Solis Mammography remodel; WalMart Supercenter exterior/interior
remodel; Albertsons exterior/interior remodel; Bedford Wellness/Rehab major remodel.
∗ Other projects include existing building remodels on the following properties: First Baptist Church of Bedford interior; Happy State
Bank first floor; Pecan Creek Apartments pool area; Blink Fitness gym remodel; Wendy's Hwy 121 exterior/interior remodel.
∗ Coordination with developer, neighborhood group(s) and consultants regarding land use concerns within the Bedford Commons
development zone.

FY 2020-2021 DIVISIONAL GOALS
(AS RELATED TO COUNCIL STRATEGIC FOCUS AREAS)

Revitalization
∗ Aid in the revitalization of obsolete facilities through redevelopment, rehabilitation, and other available means.
∗ Create outreach programs to facilitate and incentivize the revitalization of older residential neighborhoods.
Economic Vitality
∗ Positively influence growth and redevelopment of the City of Bedford's business community.
∗ Take advantage of the opportunities revealed by the North Tarrant Express expansion.

Transformation
∗ Strive to develop a highly skilled and flexible workforce to meet the needs of the community's businesses by networking with
education and business leaders and by taking an active role in identifying opportunities to enhance the workforce.
∗ Direct specific recruiting efforts towards arts-related businesses.
Organizational Excellence
∗ Maintain economic development related databases to meet the needs of the development community.
∗ Obtain favorable management decisions to invest human and capital resources in Bedford.

Communicate & Engage with Citizens
∗ Stimulate participation in shop-local programs such as "Shop Bedford First."
∗ Promote participation in neighborhood programs via the Neighborhood Services Division.

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