Page 27 - Cuero, TX Downtown Plan
P. 27
Section 5
Economic Strategy
plan for physical improvements is of little use if media (Note: this is best done as part of a “circuit”
there is no economic impetus to bring it about. of small cities branded as the Lower Guadalupe
A New streetscape, public art, and programmed River/Coastal Plains/Chisholm Trail Region).
events are helpful in changing public perceptions, but Working with area Small Business Development
these things need to be paid for (typically by expanding Centers (SBDCs) and area business colleges to
the tax base), and they can do little by themselves to establish a “virtual incubator” Downtown. This
change weak market dynamics. designation would serve to provide a range of wrap-
around support services targeted specifically to
For this reason, the physical plan for Downtown needs
to be wrapped in a broader economic strategy that seeks entrepreneurs seeking to start or expand a business
to build market demand for Downtown real estate and Downtown (and not available elsewhere in the City
to increase opportunities for new jobs and housing. and region). The City could provide additional
This can be done both by helping property-owners revolving loan fund (RLF) resources specifically
offset the extra costs of doing historic rehabilitation for Downtown businesses and connect businesses
(the supply side) and by helping increase demand for to the resources of an SBDC and/or area business
space among prospective tenants (the demand side). colleges.
The first is basically a real estate strategy whereas the The relocation and enlargement of the Cuero
latter is an over-arching business development strategy. Farmers Market to downtown and its potential
expansion into antique auctions and arts and crafts
The most promising economic strategies for Downtown fairs. This move should be accompanied with a
involve: new professional management structure potentially
organized under the aegis of a reconstituted Main
Leveraging the region’s oil and gas industry
by creating new housing and support-service Street Cuero program. The new, larger, permanent
opportunities Downtown through direct solicitation facility should be branded simply as the “Cuero
for patronage and philanthropic giving for special Market.”
initiatives. Implementation Actions
Increasing tourism by joint marketing Downtown Convene a working group of Cuero Development
specialty businesses, expanded special event Corporation (CDC) representatives, City leaders,
programming, and advertising in regional tourism
ADOPTED 03.04.13 27
