ANNUAL MEETING FEBRUARY 14, 2012 The annual meeting of the Greater New Braunfels Economic Development Foundation has been set for Tuesday, February 14 beginning at noon at the McKenna Events Center.  Registration and networking will begin at 11:30 am.  EDF members can attend and receive a served lunch for $15 and non-members $20. Items of business will include the election of directors and officers for 2012 along with an annual budget.  Plans are also underway to have a presentation on the regional transportation plan as well as the status of the SH 130 project.  Save the date now, Tuesday, February 14 at noon at McKenna Events Center. TRENDS POSITIVE FOR ECONOMY The annual economic benchmarks survey study, a requirement of the Chamber of Commerce’s professional services agreement with the New Braunfels Industrial Development Corporation, was completed recently.  A copy of powerpoint slides shown to the NBIDC and City Council are attached by clicking here This is the ninth year that the benchmark survey has been completed, most of which is via customized data assembled by your BUILD NB staff.  Of the nineteen areas measured, all have trended up and 2011 showed dramatic gains over last year’s record figures.  Over 1,400 primary jobs were announced, which is more than double the annual average.  Median income is up over 60% since 2003 and a record amount of per capita commercial investment was booked.  Office space inventory continues to grow along with absorption rates.  The unemployment rate is well below the SMA, state and national levels.  BUILD NB marketing and research director Holly Covington assembled the latest benchmarks survey study results. MEDICAL INDUSTRY BOOM At the October 18 EDF quarterly Board and membership luncheon, Tom Stellman of TIP Strategies presented information on the local medical industry boom.  A crowd of nearly 200 packed the McKenna Events Center ballroom to view data on the fastest growing employment sector locally. A copy of the presentation is available to EDF members on demand.  Stellman and his company TIP Strategies are nationally known economic development strategists and consultants.  An earlier comptroller study on the local medical industry noted that for every $1 million in medical care not exported out of the area would create an additional 13 jobs and have over a $600,000 impact on the local economy.  The New Braunfels Regional Rehabilitation Hospital was named the Economic Impact Award winner for the area at the Austin-San Antonio Business Journal Summit September 9 held in San Marcos. MAYOR’S SUMMIT HIGH ON PARTNERSHIPS The Mayor’s 6th Economic Development Summit was held October 26 in the Civic/Convention Center meeting rooms.  Mayor Gale Pospisil hosted her first summit which was facilitated by Jeff Finkle, the president and CEO of the International Economic Development Council.  Approximately 40 local stake holders were in attendance and Finkle praised economic development efforts and the status of the local economy in comparison to the rest of the state and nation.  Finkle specifically noted the public private partnerships involved in economic development in the community as a strength.  The city plans to bring Finkle back early next year for a “mini summit” to help in the preparation of the updated comprehensive development plan and vision for the area.  Foundation officers have communicated with Mayor Pospisil their interest in participation. EDF MEMBERSHIP UP 60% 2011 will go down as a year that the Foundation took a major step forward in solidifying the future of the organization with an astounding growth in membership.  2011 Membership Chair John Lovett, who was the founding chairman of the organization in 2004, credits the diverse economy and growth in the medical sector as major reasons for the membership growth.  Lovett also credited the new membership video and brochure as an indication of the quality of the organization, helping explain the benefits to potential members. If you are not yet a member of the Economic Development Foundation, click here for the revised membership application and video. Marketing Strategy: 10.08  The FY2011-2012 Marketing Plan is now available.