It’s the time of year where we think about all of the things we are grateful for.

For years, I had a business and I’m grateful to have been able to exit gracefully. But I had way too much idle time and wasn’t quite ready to face retirement. Along comes an opportunity to serve the community of Wallis on the EDC, Economic Development Corp.

Well, thank goodness for the internet because I’ve spent an untold amount of time researching one thing or another about economic development. There are so many great people that work in this field and the following are just a few that have been so gracious and so helpful. This also gives you an overview of how important planning and economic development is to our community.

I am grateful for the TEDC, Texas Economical Development Council. They have an annual sales tax class with all of the latest legislative updates. They have other classes online regularly which are economic development related. They also offer legislative support, training for future leaders and mentorship programs. And a great downtown revitalization program. I am grateful for the

TML, Texas Municipal League. The Municipal League is also excellent for training but with more of a legislative slant. When we want to know what we can and cannot do as far as using the business development dollars this is where we usually turn to for advice. They have a legal staff which is very helpful.

I am grateful for Grantworks, which is just one grant company that works with the City of Wallis. There are so many opportunities available it would be impossible to know about them all without these great folks. They keep abreast of the grants which would work for Wallis and notify us if an opportunity becomes available. And they still answer all of my phone calls, with my many, many questions.

I am grateful for Lee Huntoon with TWDB, The Texas Water Development Board. Besides helping me on the phone with questions concerning their grant opportunities, she also gave a presentation of these opportunities to city council.

I am grateful for the attorney that represents EDC, Jeff Moore. We occasionally need legal advice, luckily not too often. Economic Development is his specialty and has been so gracious to answer our questions, even between shots on the golf course.

The list goes on and on: the citizens of Wallis, our precinct four Austin Co. representative, Chip Reed, the governor’s EDC rep. Betty Russo, the administrative and finance dept. of the City of Wallis including the Mayor, the city council, EDCs in surrounding cities of Sealy, Fulshear, East Bernard, Orchard and Lois Kolkhorst our state representative. Our Wallis EDC members, James King, Mallori Ramey, Gloria Long, Belinda Halfin and Tom Turner who give their time and work so diligently for the betterment of the city.

I’ve forgotten a few but I will forever be grateful for all of the assistance we get in order to be good EDC representatives for the City of Wallis. Happy Thanksgiving to all!