Seattle considers 2-tiered, phased, $15 minimum wage

Increasing the minimum wage is a much debated topic no matter what side of the argument you are on. 

Here is the latest twist, The City of Seattle is considering a 2-tiered (teens/adults) minimum wage increase with adults being paid $15 per hour (teens less), with wage increases that will be phased in (raised gradually) over 3 years.

thoughts?

http://news.msn.com/us/seattle-council-expected-to-ok-dollar15-minimum-wage

#minimumwage  #minwage #edc #economicdevelopment

Lavon Texas Economic Development starts the Lavon Business Park

Press Release

P.O. Box 340

120 School Road

Lavon, TX

Lavon Business Park Development Begins Soon

Lavon Economic Development Corporation in partnership with the City of Lavon, Main Construction and M-Texas Industrial Supply Company are extending a sanitary sewer line to Lavon Circle.  This sanitary sewer line extension allows for the development of 4.617 acres owned by M-Texas Properties and 4.104 acres owned by Lavon Business Park (Main Construction). The development will occur along SH 205 and Lavon Circle.  This area is close to the intersection of SH 205 with SH78. The City of Lavon has recently accepted the voluntary annexation of these two properties into the City of Lavon.  The City of Lavon upon recommendation of the Lavon Planning and Zoning Commission has established Planned Development Districts #2 and #3 to govern the land uses permitted in these developments.  The land uses permitted include retail, restaurant, trade contractor offices and dispatch facilities, warehouse and distribution facilities assembly of parts and equipment and technology and electrical engineering, electronic and computer technology related uses.   President of the Lavon EDC, Kay Wright said “The cooperation of many and the foresight of the City, Planning and Zoning Commission and the Economic Development Corporation has been essential to attract this important economic development project. We all look forward to seeing new development along SH 205 as we wait for SH 78 to be completed.” Lavon City Mayor Chuck Teske said “We welcome new development of this quality that can add to our tax base and provide our citizens with new retail opportunities.”  John Main of Main Construction said ”We look forward to working with the City and its EDC on this project.  We expect to have the sanitary sewer line under construction in the very near future.”  The Lavon EDC has agreed to reimburse John Main up to $77,500 for the construction of the sewer line.   John Main is agreeing to develop the property in line with the Planned Development with the initial building to be completed within 30 months.

PHOTO is  ATTACHED . In the photo from the left:  Kent Hembree, LEDC Director; Pam Mundo, LEDC Executive Director; Micki Hollien, LEDC Administrative Staff; Kay Wright, LEDC President; Charles Teske Lavon Mayor; John Main, Lavon Business Park; Bob Lee, Mid-Texas Industrial Supply; Second Row from left Paul Crabtree, LEDC Director; Paul Lemon, LEDC Vice President; David Piekarski, LEDC Director; Chris Kane, LEDC Director and Lavon City Council; Charles Allen, LEDC Director.   Lavon Economic Development Corporation. (LEDC).

For More information:

Pam Mundo, Lavon EDC, Executive Director, pam.mundo@lavonedc.com 214 773 0966

Kay Wright, Lavon EDC, President, kay.wright@lavonedc.com 469 867 9258

Mayor Charles Teske, mayor.teske@cityoflavon.org  972 843-4220

John Main, Main Construction, mainhomes@aol.com 214 688 5179

Danny McCartney, M-Tex Industrial Supply, danny@mtexassupply.com  214 414 1070  

Farmers Markets: Tips on what to do, and Not to do

Farmers Markets:  Here's a good article on what to do,  and NOT to do, to assist the farmers markets in your communities. 

http://www.dallasobserver.com/2013-04-25/restaurants/how-dallas-killed-farmers-markets/

NTCAR Trade Show-Good Traffic

Tis the start of the trade show season and the first is NTCAR in Dallas each year.  The North Texas Commercial Association of Realtors put on a good trade show that attracts a wide variety of investors, brokers and developers.  Wednesday, August 29 show was good.  Lots of traffic and inquiries. Mundo and Associates, Inc. represented Lorena and Pantego at the show.  We are noticing an up-tick in new inquiries of a wide range of real estate interests.  Industrial inquiries and investment deals are up as is the same with retail and hospitality.  Lots of interest in EB5 deals as well. 
Thanks to NTCAR for their trade show!  Thanks to the hard working brokers, investors and developers shaking out the deals. Hopefully the Grand Recession is over! #IN  #realestate #NTCAR   

Foster Wheeler Facility Expansion

Foster Wheeler has launched the expansion of their McGregor, Texas facility by purchasing an adjacent 30,000-square-foot building where they will manufacture stainless steel products for power plants and refineries. The $1.5 million investment will support the addition of 50 employees, exponentially increasing employment to make Foster Wheeler one of the largest employers in McGregor, Texas.

Form Based Codes

Pam just completed the 3 courses of the Form Based Code Institute.  The initial course by the Internet  was well organized.  Course 301 was implementing these codes and was a two day course in Arlington, TX.  This session was well organized and useful.  The 201 Course was just completed in Austin TX.  This two day course was filled with practical implementation tools and writing tasks.  Preparing the form based code course was filled with detail.  This new code by form not use is certainly an excellent alternative in the "built environment" for a redo of the old, tired and often challenged zoning by use.  Even in the smaller less developed communities the form based code methodology will provide a more predictable outcome.  Its time the economic developers and city planners take a more careful look at this technique for building walkable places via form not use.  You will be pleased.  We certainly are! #iedc #in #tedc #planning #economic development #form based code

Weatherford EcoSummit2!

Mundo and Associates Inc. had the pleasure to work for Dennis Clayton, Executive Director of the Weatherford Economic Development Authority.  Pam and Jason Mundo conducted a Strategic Planning Workshop assisting the community leaders in developing their Vision Statement and Goals.  We believe they came up with a  super vision statement!  Dennis developed a great Eco Summit2 with the DFW Economic Outlook presented by Dr Terry Clower of the Center for Economic Development and Research at U of North Texas.  Dennis Clayton presented the local economic review. Do they have economic progress!  Great new retail and hotel development in Weatherford.  Did your know about their cutting horse industry? Weatherford is the world leader in the cutting horse industry! A successful part of the Weatherford Eco Summit2 was the local community leaders presenting aspects of their economy sector from the standpoint of their business. Great insight as to the Texas economy.  Yes, Oil and Gas are King!