HUBA Asks Haltom City Council to Revisit its Table of Uses to Spur Small Business Growth

    HALTOM CITY, TX, May 04, 2022 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The website for economic development in Haltom City features an encouraging portrait of commercial and residential development. There are several apartment complexes, hotels, and other large-scale construction projects currently underway or planned for the near future. Additionally, the website states "There are many other development projects looking to locate their businesses here in Haltom City." The site also included a new automotive business, but it has since been removed because the council barred such businesses in all commercial zones. Almost all of the new businesses are on the north side of the city.

This progress should be celebrated. Those who have worked diligently to affect these improvements should be appreciated. At the same time, it is important that the city also work on strategies to ensure that South and Central Haltom City are not left behind — particularly the specific neighborhoods and older commercial corridors where vacant properties abound.

Haltom United Business Alliance (HUBA) is once again asking the city council to seriously consider revisiting regulations that affect small business growth in Haltom City. "Haltom City needs a competitive edge to incentivize and encourage small businesses to choose our city over other options," said HUBA Founder Ron Sturgeon. "Unfortunately, in some cases, such as pool accessory sales and drop off dry cleaners, the use matrix in Haltom City seems to discourage, rather than encourage, small business growth," added Sturgeon.

Earlier this year, HUBA asked a consultant to draft recommendations regarding economic development in Haltom City. The independent report has since been provided to the city council and a number of city officials for review and consideration. HUBA is now asking that the city council add the report's specific land use recommendations to their agenda for early in the coming year.

Additionally, as per HUBA Communications Director Joe Palmer, "… Haltom City Council should take a comprehensive look at the city's use matrix and see where there are opportunities for Haltom City to become a little easier than neighboring cities to start a business of a particular kind."

Numerous studies and publications regarding changing urban land use reflect that proactive city governments are using strategic planning and regulatory and financial incentives to encourage growth in declining areas. Haltom City should be doing the same. Several of the measures other cities have enjoyed success with are converting to form-based zones and uses in their areas they want more activity in and reducing or eliminating parking minimums. Sturgeon said, "I talked to two applicants in a week that were denied certificates of occupancy because of parking minimums a few months ago, and these are pretty typical."

For more information about the issues outlined here reach out Joe Palmer, HUBA Communications Director, at [email protected] or (682) 310-0591. HUBA is seeking candidates with business ownership experience to run for seats on Haltom City Council. If you are interested in becoming a candidate, contact Joe Palmer.

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. The 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 an 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 come to Haltom City, but they can only do as directed by City Council.

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 nurtures 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. HUBA believes that the southern and central parts of the city need a revitalization plan, to prevent further degradation in those areas, and wants that to happen before the inner-city experiences increased crime and more blight. As retail and office uses are in decline, its more critical than ever to attract new businesses. They believe that such a plan requires a strong relationship and support of the business community. Anyone who owns a business in Haltom City is eligible to join HUBA. Dues are $20 annually or $50 for a lifetime membership, and membership is 100% confidential. To join, contact Joe Palmer at (682) 310-0591 or by email at [email protected]. Visit the group's Facebook at Haltom United Business Alliance.

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