Haltom United Business Alliance (HUBA) Announces Joe Palmer as Communications Director

    HALTOM CITY, TX, June 08, 2021 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Haltom United Business Alliance Executive Director Drew Weakley announced the appointment of Joe Palmer as Communications Director for HUBA.

"We are very pleased to add Joe to our leadership team because of his extensive experience advocating for the interests of small business owners, property owners and taxpayers at the state and local level," said Weakley.

In this new role, Palmer will help HUBA by fielding calls and attending meetings and acting as a spokesperson for the group as it pursues its goals of making it easier for new businesses to come to Haltom City and easier for its existing base of small businesses to thrive in Haltom City.

"I drove up Carson across Belknap and east on NE 28th Street from Beach and up Denton Highway to Loop 820," said Palmer. "From the number of vacant commercial properties, it seems evident that businesses have been leaving Haltom City for some time," said Palmer.

"I am eager to dig in and learn more about the reasons for the loss of small businesses and the impediments to bringing in new small businesses, so that I can help achieve HUBA's goal of attracting more small businesses to South and Central Haltom City," said Palmer.

"I am excited to see new faces on the Haltom City Council and am eager to collaborate with city leaders and other stakeholders to find ways to energize and redevelop some of the older parts of the city," said Palmer.

"Certainly, one of the impediments to bringing in more small businesses is the many kinds of businesses that end up needing conditional use permits to open," said Palmer. Palmer said the city has had some significant successes in attracting larger businesses on the north side of the city, but he noted that nearly all that have opened have been permitted uses.

"With the decline of traditional retail, we are hopeful the city will look to fill many of the vacant properties in South and Central Haltom City with small enterprises in the service and commercial sectors," said Palmer.

HUBA Founder Member Ron Sturgeon added, "Joe will be an able spokesperson for HUBA because he isn't afraid to speak up for all stakeholders and he's passionate about HUBA's vision to bring more prosperity and opportunity to all parts of Haltom City."

HUBA is continuing to build its membership and wants to hear from you if you own a business in Haltom City and would like to join the effort to create a better climate for small business in the city. Membership in HUBA is completely confidential. To get in touch with HUBA, contact Executive Director Drew Weakley at (682) 310-0591 or email [email protected].

About Haltom United Business Alliance

Haltom United Business Alliance (HUBA) wants to give members of Haltom City's business community an advocate and to keep those businesses informed about issues that affect them. They want to make sure Haltom City is business friendly and nurture small business growth, including automotive businesses, and bring more restaurants including breweries and a major grocery store to the city. New businesses and growth in existing businesses will create a stronger tax base which will allow the city to pay its first responders wages that are competitive with surrounding cities while improving Haltom City's facilities and infrastructure. Anyone who owns a business in Haltom City is eligible to join. Dues are $20 annually or $50 for a lifetime membership, and membership is 100% confidential. To join, contact Drew Weakley at (682) 310-0591 or by email at [email protected]. Visit the group's Facebook at Haltom United Business Alliance.

About Haltom City
Haltom City is a medium-sized city between Dallas and Fort Worth in Tarrant County, TX. The city is diverse and majority working class, with a growing population that is approximately 10% Asian-American and 45% Hispanic. Haltom City benefits from being only minutes from both DFW Airport and Downtown Fort Worth, with direct access to major highways including I-820 and SH-121. Small businesses that have historically provided products, services, and jobs to residents included a once thriving automotive industry. The city has seen a decline in small businesses, especially automotive businesses. The city is healthy financially, with median household income growing around 8% in the past year. Haltom City has opportunity for continued growth through undeveloped land and many vacant buildings, especially in major corridors close to the city's center. The city has good staff and a city manager who is interested in seeing more businesses, but they can only do as directed by the council.

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