Haltom City Business Alliance Seeks Forward-Thinking Candidates for Upcoming City Council Election

    HALTOM CITY, TX, August 03, 2022 /24-7PressRelease/ -- In Haltom City, leadership has repeatedly focused on mostly newer areas of the city, leaving residents and business owners in the inner-city areas feeling discouraged and ignored with higher taxes. In response, a coalition of small business owners formed the Haltom United Business Alliance (HUBA) in early 2021. HUBA, which is dedicated to representing existing business interests in Haltom City, is aggressively pushing for targeted strategies to reverse the decline of the south and central inner-city areas and spur revitalization along main corridors such as Denton Highway, Carson, NE 28th Street, and Belknap.

According to Founder Ron Sturgeon, "Since its inception, HUBA has identified problematic policies and presented evidence-based suggestions to help things turn around. We put out a list of ideas for the city to expand the business community more than a year ago, but Haltom City Council has never considered even one of the items on our list. We offered free mentoring of small business owners through a city-HUBA partnership and even hired an independent consultant to draft recommendations for economic development, all to no avail." "it's clear that they aren't interested in what the business community thinks, and have said repeatedly that if business owners don't live in the city they aren't a stakeholder."

HUBA is now looking for forward-thinking business friendly individuals who are willing to run for City Council for the coming year. According to HUBA Communications Director Joe Palmer, "Haltom City needs council members who are not in denial about inner-city issues, who will look at the big picture and advocate for policies that promote private sector businesses, strengthen the tax base, and cultivate healthy neighborhoods."

Palmer believes that the city needs a targeted revitalization plan. "The city should begin to act on the many ideas HUBA has put forth to start to return prosperity to South and Central Haltom City," said Palmer. "What's really crazy is that these ideas aren't new, other cities have had the same results, which happen quickly, and cost the city nothing to implement. Haltom city wants to wait for a 30 years TIRZ to fix everything, which just isn't going to happen."

HUBA strongly believes that adding experienced business owners and managers to the Haltom City Council and committees will benefit both residents and business owners alike. Ideal candidates will be able to look at the big picture when setting policy and recognize that different areas of the city will have different needs and goals. They have also suggested that the city hire a progressive firm like Strong Towns to do a study and make specific recommendations.

If you think you might fit the bill and want to make a difference, HUBA encourages you to consider running for City Council. You are welcome to contact Joe Palmer, HUBA Communications Director, at [email protected] or (682) 310-0591 with any questions you might have.

About Haltom United Business Alliance
The Haltom United Business Alliance (HUBA) represents existing business interests in Haltom City and strives to promote growth of diverse businesses as well. Founder Ron Sturgeon recently co-authored and published a new book — Keeping the Lights on Downtown in America's Small Cities — which offers key strategies for revitalizing America's inner-city areas. All Haltom City business owners are eligible to join. Dues are $20 annually or $50 for a lifetime membership, and membership is 100% confidential. For more information, contact Joe Palmer by phone at (682) 310-0591 or email [email protected] or visit the HUBA Facebook Page.

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