City of Center Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Center Completes Business Survey
Results Indicate Further Growth in the City

CENTER, Texas (June 23, 2011) – The City of Center, Texas, conducted its initial business survey in an attempt to take the pulse of the local business climate.  The survey results indicate that Center is positioned for continued economic prosperity.  “This survey instrument speaks volumes on how businesses feel about all this activity in Center,” reported Center Mayor David Chadwick.  “Overall, the survey tells us that most local businesses are healthy and achieving their business goals.  It also tells us that we should see additional business expansions in the next few years.”

The computer based survey was designed to provide input and data for the City’s new Economic Development Plan.  “Letters were mailed to approximately 320 local businesses to solicit their input.  We had about a 10 percent response rate,” explained Jim Gibson, the City’s Economic Development Coordinator.  “We wanted to get a measure of how businesses are doing, what their future plans are, how they feel about the City, and what issues need attention.”

Some highlights of the survey results are:

When considering the strengths of Center as a place to do business, the top responses are:  The quality of life (71%), market access (58%), supply access (55%), labor costs (52%), and the quality of the Center ISD schools (52%).  In terms of weaknesses, the shortage of housing and skilled workers, and labor availability ranked at the top.

The Center business climate is one characterized by optimism.  A majority of respondents feel their competitors are either not having an effect on them or are losing ground and 65% reported that next year’s sales will be higher than this year’s sales.  All businesses report being either somewhat or completely satisfied with their location in Center.

When asked what features of Center would be attractive for other businesses to locate in the City, the responses focused on the oil and gas drilling activity and the corresponding growth  and the community’s quality of life.  When asked what would not be attractive, the responses identified the lack of housing availability.

Businesses in Center are planning additional growth.  35% of the question respondents report they are planning a capital investment in their business in the next two years.  53% of respondents say that they are always able to secure capital from a local financial institution.  New business expansion will come in the form of more floor space or a building expansion (57%) and a new building, new product line or service, and an expanded workforce (43% each).

When asked what factors are likely to have an impact on future profits, the top responses were transportation costs (44%), taxes (41%) and energy costs (38%).

This data will be used in the City’s Economic Development Plan and to develop additional programs to foster the business environment in Center and to address other issues identified as possible limitations or local policy hindrances to further business growth.

City of Center
617 Tenaha Street
Center, Texas  75935
Jim Gibson 
936/598-2941