Page 21 - ArlingtonFY24AdoptedBudget

Business Plan

Legislative Affairs Department not only facilitates interdepartmental projects to enhance cooperation within the organization, but
also takes the lead in connecting City government to Arlington’s residents through City Council meetings, City-wide and district-
specific tele-townhalls, social media, the City’s website, answering calls from residents on a variety of topics and writing articles
that tell the story of the work that the organization does. The City's Intergovernmental Relations Division develops the state and
federal legislative agendas, monitors legislation and activities at the state and federal levels, collaborates with other local
governments and non-governmental organizations on area legislative needs and projects, and manages the City's state and
federal lobbyists. The department also manages resources such as printers and copiers as well as distributes mail throughout
the organization with the goal of improving work efficiencies and effectiveness.

The Office of Economic Development (OED) strives to support the
growth of Arlington’s existing businesses and to recruit new businesses that
are consistent with the City’s adopted Economic Development Strategy. The
primary goal of the OED is to develop opportunities and attract businesses that
will increase the City’s revenue, provide high-quality employment opportunities
for Arlington residents, and contribute to the overall prestige and future growth
of the City of Arlington.

The Economic Development Strategy, first implemented in 2015 and
comprehensively updated in 2022, guides both the Office of Economic
Development and the City’s Economic Development Corporation towards the
overarching goals related to economic development within the city. Consequently, the OED now also works closely with the
EDC on projects that are consistent with the ED strategy.

Over the past couple of years, during the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic, several new businesses successfully recruited to
establish themselves within the City of Arlington. These include Bowery Farming, a high tech indoor/vertical farming company;
Wallbox, a Spanish manufacturer of charging stations for electric vehicles; Ann’s Health Food Center, the first downtown grocery
store; Pregis, an eco-friendly packaging and protective products manufacturing company, Innovative Beauty Products, a
cosmetic products manufacturer, and distributor; as well as major expansions of Canales Furniture, P&H Casters and Texstars.

In November of 2020, Arlington voters approved the adoption of an
additional quarter-cent City sales and use tax during the general
election. The quarter-cent sales and use tax will fund Arlington's
Economic Development Corporation to undertake such projects as
authorized by Chapter 505 of the Texas Local Government Code.
The fund is estimated to generate $30 million per year.

The fund was used to develop the city’s new economic
development strategic plan in partnership with TIP Strategies, an
economic development consulting firm out of Austin that was
adopted in early 2022 and is currently being used to guide staff on future project initiatives and set goals. The EDC Board of
Directors hold regular monthly meetings to receive relevant updates from the Executive Director, staff, and other city staff as
needed. To date, the EDC Board has approved three incentive agreements to support growth at Bell Helicopter, located at the
City’s Municipal Airport, proposed enhancements for the Town North Shopping Center, and support for a new WealthTech
Accelerator through a partnership with First Rate, Inc. In addition to acquiring strategic properties along Center Street and Six
Flags Road, the EDC has established a Strategic Solutions Fund with the Texas Manufacturers Assistance Center. There are
other projects in the pipeline that will be presented at future meetings for consideration.

The Unity Council of Arlington recommended the OED utilize existing relationships with banks to make introductions and
increase funding opportunities for Black and minority owned businesses. In addition to making introductions, we have also
created a resource guide of alternative funding options that may have better racial equity outcomes compared to traditional bank
loans, such as fintech loans. Fintech (short for "Financial Technology") loans are open to anyone but tend to have more equitable
approval rates. You may have heard of fintech companies like Cash App and PayPal. Some fintech companies exist for the

FY 2024 Adopted Budget and Business Plan 12 City of Arlington, Texas