Haltom United Business Alliance Asks Haltom City to Track Inquiries about Starting a New Business

    HALTOM CITY, TX, September 20, 2022 /24-7PressRelease/ -- In June of 2021, Haltom United Business Alliance (HUBA) learned that Haltom City does not track inquiries about starting or expanding a business in the city.

In July of last year, HUBA delivered a research report to Haltom City Council, the City Manager and staff that included this recommendation: "Haltom City's Economic Development Corporation [should] begin to track telephone and walk in inquiries from people about opening new businesses in the city…."

"In the year since the city received that recommendation, no action has been taken," said HUBA Communications Director Joe Palmer. "For the city to know how well its efforts to attract small businesses are working, it should track inquiries and benchmark against similar cities," added Palmer.

"Without keeping score, it's impossible to know if Haltom City is falling behind in the competition with nearby cities for startups," said HUBA Founder and Small Business Activist Ron Sturgeon.

In addition to tracking inquiries and benchmarking, HUBA has recommended the city do an annual census of businesses in the city so that it can measure the success of economic development efforts.

HUBA believes brining small businesses back to the main corridors in South and Central Haltom City is the key to revitalization of those areas. HUBA is seeking candidates for Haltom City Council who will take the actions necessary for Haltom City to win the competition for new small businesses.

If you are interested in running for Haltom City Council or have ideas to contribute to the effort to revitalize South and Central Haltom City, please 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. 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 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
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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