CDC, city agree to fund major study

A consulting company is set to move forward with an economic analysis of the city of El Campo at a cost of $45,000.

The City Development Corp. of El Campo gave the nod to hiring Hawes Hill Calderon LLP to analyze the city's economic situation Feb. 19, and City Council agreed by a unanimous vote Monday night.

Hawes Hill Calderon provides professional consulting services to municipal governments, community organizations, private development interests and real estate investment trusts on public policy, economic development, infrastructure, mobility and public/private financing.

Chandra Spenrath, CDC executive director, told the CDC the company has worked successfully with the city in the past. A motion was made by Randy Collins to approve the agreement, subject to approval from City Council, and passed unanimously.

Gwen Willis, CDC board chairwoman, said the study will figure out what type of jobs and job-creating businesses are best suited for El Campo, and give the CDC clearer direction in its mission of attracting those companies. Hawes Hill Calderon will also look into what sort of resources are available to help the city attract such businesses.

El Campo City Council took just four minutes Monday night to approve the study.

Councilman Ed Erwin made the motion which was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Kenneth Martin.

It was approved unanimously by the currently six-member council.

Councilwoman Gloria Harris called for the study to "work with the old dilapidated buildings" in town.

Hawes Hill Calderon helped implement a special tax zone that made it possible to demolish the dilapidated, Depression-era Nightingale Hospital and use the land for other purposes.

Council also asked if the group would be setting up another Tax Increment Finance Zone like the one established to demolish Nightingale.

City Attorney Ronny Collins told Council the study was still in its planning stage.

Harris questioned the $45,000 cost of the study, but was told the city was getting more than that for their dollars.

"Because of our long-standing relationship, this is a turn-key cost," Hawes said.