V. Hugh Lewis
Jefferson Jimplecute
JEDCO is ready to examine possible additional retail businesses along the US59 corridor after accepting a proposal from The Retail Coach president and CEO Kelly Cofer.
Cofer gave a 30-minute presentation and question and answer session to JEDCO during Tuesday nights’ regular meeting.
According to his presentation, Cofer’s company focuses on retail recruitment and development strategies around the country. They analyze properties in key retail development areas and then propose the development of them to national and regional retailers.
Cofer focused his presentation on the US59 corridor from the old Dollar General building south to the city limits, just past CEFCO. He says his company uses cell phone tracking technologies such as geo-codes, calls and apps, associated with existing businesses to determine their retail trade areas. Then they look at other businesses to see what potential for retail development is available.
For example, he used Brookshire Brothers in Marshall. Over the previous 12 months, they’ve had 38,800 visitors over 274,900 visits. A map then shows where those customers reside. That is used to determine how far people are willing to travel to shop.
His proposal was to work with JEDCO for one year and help identify both potential properties for development as well as types of businesses to try and recruit. His company then starts contacting companies which fit the business profile and tries to convince them to open a store in our area.
The cost for the one-year program is $30,000, renewable for two years at $20,000 per year.
JEDCO approved the proposal, but it still requires approval by the Jefferson City Council before it can begin.
Board president Bubba Haggard provided an update on the engineering study of the train trestle bridge saying that, “Dick Collins did not want the vines removed” from the trestle, so the engineer was at a standstill.
Jefferson Mayor Rob Baker clarified that Collins didn’t want the vines completely cut back and removed, but was OK with some trimming so that the engineer could obtain a proper study.
Haggard passed responsibility for talking with the engineer and Collins over to Baker.
During public comment Baker also offered to assist JEDCO with making their meeting agendas compliant with the Texas Open Meetings Act. As an example, the agenda called for item “6b. Discussion/Update – Old Business”. Under the act this does not provide enough information about the item to the public and is therefore not allowed.
“This just helps everyone be more transparent, and helpful to the community,” said Baker. “We’re here to help if you want it.”
Other items on the agenda the Jimplecute felt were not adequate included: “6a) Approval of professional services/scope of work proposed by Kelly Cofer, President & CEO, The Retail Coach, LLC” and “7. Update/Discussion – Potential New Business/Opportunities including Potential Acquisition of Property”
The Jimplecute has pointed these types of things to JEDCO in the past with limited results.
JEDCO will meet again at 5:30 p.m. October 11.