Gun Barrel City, Texas, Embarks on Campaign to Attract Californians and their Businesses

BIG BEAR LAKE, Calif. - March 19, 2013 - PRLog -- The Economic Development Corporation in Gun Barrel City, Texas, is inviting businesses in California to consider relocating to their community.  The town, which has no city property tax in a state with no income tax, believes that California business owners will find the city’s pro business attitude coupled with the community’s resort lifestyle, low-cost property and business assistance attractive.

“The Texas economy is one of the strongest in the nation, and we lead the nation in new business creation.  In Gun Barrel City, we welcome businesses that bring jobs, products and services to town,” says Steve Webster, president of the Gun Barrel City EDC.

Gun Barrel City is a town of close to 7,000 people.  It is the commercial center for Cedar Creek Lake, which is one of the largest man-made lakes in Texas.  The town is located less than an hour from Dallas.  In 2012, the community welcomed new businesses including restaurants, retail and manufacturing.  

“We have businesses here that could choose to locate anywhere, but they find the area good for attracting professionals who like the location and lifestyle, particularly they like the idea of living on a lake,” Webster says.

One such business, Emergicon, handles the EMS billing for municipalities throughout Texas.  Christopher Turner, president, says his company, which currently employs 25 professionals, will add another 25 jobs over the next two years.  The company relocated most of its headquarters from the Dallas suburb of Plano six years ago and recently moved to bigger office space.

“Being in Gun Barrel City gives me a competitive advantage in hiring.  The low cost of living and small town environment is appealing to many people who are looking for an affordable, safe place to live and raise a family,” Turner says.

Mike and Victoria Sugrue of Silver Leaf Development chose Gun Barrel City to build an 80-home affordable senior apartment community.  The $10 million project will be complete in June 2013.  The first phase opened in November, and the entire community provides residents with the perfect location across the street from the East Texas Medical Center and Olympic Fitness Center.  

The development was also built adjacent to the city’s growing city park, which has walking trails and fitness stations, lighted horseshoe pits, tennis courts, an outdoor amphitheatre, a tournament softball complex, basketball courts and a large covered event pavilion.  A senior center is scheduled to be built this year.

Webster says the EDC offers a variety of business assistance, ranging from low interest loans and lines of credit to loan guarantees and grants.  The EDC recent purchased additional property in town for more business development, and the organization offers a grant program designed specifically for veterans who want to start or expand a business in Gun Barrel City.  Additional grants are being developed every year.

“Our Boots to Business Grant is a matching grant program that offers veterans up to $50,000 to bring a business to our town,” Webster says.  

Gun Barrel City has pad sites, commercial acreage, and move-in ready commercial properties for both sale and rent.  The Economic Development Corporation offers a list of available commercial property on their website at www.gunbarrelcity.net.  The site also provides information on the various forms of assistance the EDC offers.  

“Our community can support marine-based businesses because we’re located on one of the largest lakes in Texas.  Our weekend and summer population is fueled by “weekenders” from Dallas who own second homes here.  More and more young families have moved to the lake for good schools and a slower pace.  It makes for an interesting mix in the community and provides opportunities for a wide variety of businesses to succeed here,” Webster says.

Information on opportunities for business owners interested in relocating to Gun Barrel City, Texas, including the Boots to Business Grant Program for veterans, is available at www.gunbarrelcity.net.