Accomplishments of the Economic Development Corporation 2011

The Cleveland Economic Development Corporation has been receiving funds since 2003.  The below list are accomplishments to date:

• Bought 153 acres of property on the east side of the Cleveland Municipal Airport for development as an industrial park. Eleven acres of the property was given to the City for future airport development, specifically for more airport hangers.
  
• Bought 91 acres of property north of FM 787 and north of the Cleveland Municipal Airport for development as an industrial park with rail access.
  
• Recruited with the help of the Greater Cleveland Chamber of Commerce a tire recycling firm that has bought 56 acres of the aforementioned industrial park site for development as an alternative fuel manufacturer from scrap tires.
  
• Purchased a portion of a 97 acre tract in conjunction with a major land donation from Whitetail Land Development for a major municipal park to be owned and operated by the City of Cleveland.
  
• Bought 11 acres of property on FM 1010 between the Cleveland City limits and the Highway 105 bypass for industrial and commercial development.
  
• Offered incentives that retained jobs at Union Tank Car, which were going to Louisiana. Union Tank Car has now expanded its operations by making a $6,000,000 investment and creating more jobs. These jobs at the Union Tank Car facility pay a minimum of $15.00 per hour.
  
• Offered incentives to Western Forge, a California manufacturing company, which has already begun its move to the Cleveland area. There are now 60 jobs at Western Forge paying a minimum of $15.00 per hour.
  
• Offered incentives to Martin Chrysler in its relocation from Washington Street to U. S. Highway 59. Martin Chrysler invested $2,000,000 and created 10 new jobs with its relocation.
  
• Recruited the Southeast Texas Research Institute to locate in Cleveland. The Institute will be a biomedical research facility with a long term goal of establishing a private medical school.
  
• Improved numerous areas of on-street parking for several businesses in the Central Business District, resulting in improved parking for more than 60 parking spaces.
  
• Demolished and cleared 61 dilapidated structures, which have provided new sites for new affordable housing and commercial structures.
  
• Participated in a partnership with the City through grant programs to build 45 new affordable housing units throughout Cleveland.
  
• Established the City’s first official website, which contains a variety of information. This website is used by many people, from all over the world, interested in Cleveland.
  
• Financed a Retail Development Study, which identified the retail market for the Cleveland area and the retail leakage to other areas. Several retailers considering Cleveland as a location use this study for their due diligence in making a decision to locate in Cleveland. Several retailers have used this study to make their decisions to locate in Cleveland. The Study and its update are available to the public on the website.
  
• Initiated a partnership with the Operation Refuge to establish a recycling center for paper, plastic and metal.
  
• Encouraged the City to bring its tax abatement policy in line with Liberty County’s policy so that joint economic development efforts could be made between the City and County. This has resulted in the location of the Best Western, La Quinta and Holiday Inn Express in Cleveland.
  
• Initiated and will be continuing an existing business program with the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce. This partnership will allow the Cleveland EDC to detect trends in the economic conditions of existing businesses and use its influence and resources to make positive changes in the economic climate.
  
• Financed a conceptual study for improvements to the Central Business District (CBD). This study will be the basis for all future improvements in the CBD. Additionally, the EDC has established a block-by-block redevelopment program for the CBD and has initiated a façade improvement program for commercial businesses to improve their appearance.
  
• Initiated and continuing to finance the Liberty County Workforce Academy, which is a consortium of Liberty County school districts and economic development corporations. This Academy trains high school students and adults for vocational careers during the school year. Teachers for the Academy are from the surrounding junior colleges.
  
• Helped to form the Liberty County Economic Development Alliance. This group of Chamber and Economic Development Executives are working on a community and economic development strategic plan for Liberty County.
  
• Financed the development of the Cleveland History Museum. This was done in cooperation with the Cleveland Historical Society. The museum is located in the old City Hall at 203 East Boothe and opened in August, 2009.
  
• Financed a civic center and community event digital display sign. The sign is located at the City Hall to direct people to the civic center and to announce community events.