ASK THE MAYOR
Recent growth shows city on the move
MAYOR PHILLIP SPENRATH

What is the key to economic success and how do you measure it? A wise college professor taught me that diversification was the essential component for a community to experience continued economic development. If you look closely you can see many indicators that El Campo is diversifying and steadily moving toward a period of economic prosperity. Oftentimes, this development will be gradual, but steady, never-the-less, and the casual observer will often overlook the productivity because he has limited his search to the big factory that brings in 300-400 jobs.

Farming, finance, retail, oil and gas, and light industry have consistently served as the staples for El Campo's economic growth and development through the years. In recent times, many existing businesses have experienced positive growth through the remodeling of their existing infrastructure and/or the hiring of additional employees. Eighty percent of all new jobs created come from within existing businesses. Economic prosperity for some of our local businesses meant moving into larger, more modern locations. A drive around the West Loop of El Campo makes it hard for anyone to deny that our retail economy is moving forward as there are new shopping centers; bigger, better Pizza Huts, Wal-Marts, Tractor Supplys; and a soon to be opened middle school, Lube Express, Shoe Dept., NewFirst Bank and other business entities.

In addition to the aforementioned economic staples, El Campo is experiencing a strong growth in the convention and tourism industry. Once again, the Texas Aquaculture Association enlisted El Campo as home to its 38th Annual Conference and Trade Show. During the past three days, hundreds of guests traveled to El Campo to learn and discuss new techniques and strategies being used in the aquaculture industry. In addition, these visitors participated in aquaculture farm demonstrations and tours of several of our local farms. Participants engaged in the legislative and rule-making efforts that will hopefully protect and enhance the success of

protect and enhance the success of this vital source of food production and economic industry.

While our aquaculture guests were in town, they frequented many of our local retail stores, restaurants, gas stations and hotels. In addition, this enterprising group scheduled a scholarship golf tournament and a scholarship duck/goose hunting excursion which not only provided fi- nancial assistance to deserving college students, but also helped to promote and support two of El Campo's diverse economic entities.

In addition to the recent Texas Aquaculture Association, the Texas Soybean and The Rice

Soybean and The Rice Clinic Grain Handler's Conference have marked El Campo as the site for their upcoming annual convention headquarters. As the word gets out that El Campo is a viable and highly receptive location for future conventions, and the new renovations are completed on our El Campo Civic Center, the El Campo convention and tourism industry must certainly be listed as one of the important diversifying economic staples of our local economy. It is important that we recognize and honor the hard work and determination of our area industries, farmers, businesses and sponsors. We thank you for your continued commitment to El Campo and ensuring a diverse economy.