The City of Seabrook’s
e-Update September 2010 Volume 2, Issue 9
Seabrook Economic Development Corporation by Mayor Gary Renola and Teresa Vasquez-Evans What are we doing to reduce your taxes? One answer is Seabrook's economic development activities. For Seabrook, commercial based activities, i.e. commercial property tax and city sales tax, contribute only about 25% to the general fund, the city's revenue stream, while residential property taxes make up the majority of the fund. The general fund provides for city services and amenities, and increasing our commercial tax base is one way to decrease our property taxes, provide an enhanced level of city services, and develop additional parks and trails. Seabrook's Economic Development Corporation (EDC) plays a key role in progressing us toward our goal of quality commercial development. Seabrook voters approved a ½ cent sales tax in 1992 that funds EDC activities. A Board of Directors governs the EDC, and is comprised of two elected officials, the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem, and five other resident volunteers. This board governs the corporation’s policies, establishes the budget, and identifies and manages economic development projects, all with the approval of City Council.
The mission of the EDC is to aggressively implement economic development resources that enhance and expand the Seabrook tax base with quality sustainable businesses and amenities consistent with the community’s vision. In general, this means the EDC promotes commercial development, particularly development with high property value or that generates sales tax. Retail stores and restaurants are among the target establishments. The key point of contact for Seabrook Economic Development efforts is our Director, Teresa Vazquez-Evans. Teresa brings the skills and experience to develop and execute a portfolio of economic development activities. Teresa is the first point of contact for all potential development activity. In addition, Teresa markets the City of Seabrook at retail trade shows and to the development community, maintains relationships with our economic development allies and regional organizations, serves as project manager for SEDC projects, engages our existing business community to ensure that we retain our current businesses, and updates our economic development website at www.seabrookedc.com. She also performs special activities like the Business Recovery Workshop following Hurricane Ike.
A key project being led by the Seabrook EDC are the infrastructure improvements planned for Waterfront Drive at the Point. This long awaited project is funded almost exclusively by grants. It will raise the roadway, improve drainage, upgrade the water and sewer lines, bury the overhead power lines, provide walking surfaces for pedestrians, and include lighting and landscaping improvements. An entry way sign to the Point, partially funded by grants, is also planned and will be visible from State Highway 146. Another EDC project is the implementation of the Seabrook Retail Development Strategy. A retail gap analysis identified Seabrook’s potential for specific services and vendors. Efforts are underway to actively recruit companies identified as having a strong affinity to our demographics and spending habits. Additionally, this retail report can also be utilized by the Seabrook business community and the development and brokerage community to target specific markets. And finally, there is a project that will install wayfinding and directional signs to city facilities and businesses.
However, the Seabrook EDC is not alone in its efforts to promote growth and prosperity in Seabrook. The EDC is also member of the Economic Alliance and Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership (BAHEP). These regional economic development organizations are funded by cities and businesses and are oriented toward recruiting and retaining businesses in the area. They also advocate for special issues like NASA funding and assist with transportation planning issues in the region.
CITY HALL WILL BE CLOSED MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6TH FOR LABOR DAY.
The Coast Guard Auxiliary will present Boating Safely Classes at the Seabrook Volunteer Fire Dept. on Sept. 18. Topics include Equipment for Your Boat, Trailering Your Boat, Handling Your Boat, Your "Highway" Signs, and Knots and Lines. Contact Penny Williams at 713-351-8286 or Fred Steves, 713-351-8202 or email fsteves@myronsteves.com for more information.
CALLING ON ALL WHO WANT TO JOIN A GARDEN CLUB IN SEABROOK! We want to restore the Butterfly Garden in Hester Park and help create beautiful gardens at our new Carothers Coastal Gardens because we live here and care about our community and want to learn more about plants for our area. We also want to have fun and if you do too, please join us! Meetings are held at the Seabrook Community House, 1210 Anders St. on the third Wednesday of each month at 12:30 p.m. If you have any questions call Dori Nelson: 281-474-4825 or Sara Thompson: 281-291-0472.
TO THE FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF SEABROOK'S EVELYN MEADOR LIBRARY Come support your library with an engraved paver as a permanent icon at the entrance to the main walkway or front entrance. Just a donation of one hundred dollars lets you be part of Seabrook History. Inscriptions may contain up to 2 lines of 16 characters each including spaces. Another size of paver is now available for $200.00 which allows 4 lines with 32 characters for the sponsor. The deadline for ordering is October 1, 2010 to be part of the first section of pavers on opening April 2011. Send your donation and inscription to Friends of Evelyn Meador Library, P. O. Box 684, Seabrook, Texas 77586. Or contact us at jakolar@sbcglobal.net. This is your opportunity to memorialize family or friends at our new 21,000 sq. ft. facility on this historic occasion.
Authors-&-Ice-Cream Event to Benefit Library Houston area children’s authors and the Friends of Evelyn Meador Library invite the public to enjoy FREE ice cream and programs at the Seabrook Community House on Sunday, Sept. 26, 2-5 p.m. Proceeds from sales of autographed books and paving stones will be donated to support the construction of the new library to replace the one destroyed by Hurricane Ike. So come enjoy FREE ice cream and go on a Reader’s Treasure Hunt and earn stickers, bookmarks, and prizes! The Seabrook Community House is located at 1210 Anders St., Seabrook, TX 77586, near the intersection of 1-46 and NASA Pkwy.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010 Fall Registration for Cub Scouts Pack 389 at the Seabrook Community House Some of the exciting activities that local Cub Scout Pack 389 is planning this year include: Family Camp Outs (Sept, March, May), Raingutter Regatta (Sept), Bayshore Pushmobile Race (Oct), Houston Aeros Tunnel Team and Color Guard (Nov), Camping on the Battleship Texas (Dec), Houston Rockets Benchwarmers (Jan), Pinewood Derby (Jan), Scout Night with the Harlem Globetrotters (Feb), Blue and Gold Banquet (Feb), Bayshore Cub-o-ree (March), Scout Fair & Mega Derby at Reliant Arena (April), Family Fun Day (May), Bayshore Twilight Camp (June), Summer Camp at Bovay Scout Ranch (July), Scout Day with the Astros (Sept). The local rally will be held at Seabrook Community House on Tuesday, September 7th at 6:30 PM. All who attend the rally and join will receive a free model rocket. More information is available online at http://sites.google.com/site/pack389tx/Home. For more information on local programs, contact Nick Cocchia at 713-410-7742 or pack389@gmail.com. Pack 389 is in the Bayshore District of the Sam Houston Area Council (SHAC) and serves Nassau Bay, Seabrook, El Lago, and Taylor Lake Village.