PEDC executive Maureen Hammond gave the board of directors an overview of the site at a Dec. 5 meeting before it went public. Staff developed it in connection with locally owned DeadCat Media.

“Lea Emerson did an excellent job,” Hammond said of DeadCat’s cofounder. “Economic development websites are very niche, and she not only built special features tailored to our needs but she delivered a first-class, aesthetically pleasing website.

“Our team has had significant involvement in this process with content creation and organization of the data and in reviewing it,” Hammond said of Lauren Trejo, economic development specialist, and Steven Kelly, executive assistant. “Lauren spent a lot of time and effort on this as did our marketing committee.” (Dr. A.J. Hashmi, Stephen Terrell and Erik Roddy)

About the Website

Site selection specialists, businesses looking to locate or expand and existing businesses looking to expand are the site’s target audiences, but there is something there of interest to a wide range of audiences, a brief look at the site reveals at selectparistexas.com.

“A place where Texans can reach higher,” the site’s introductory logo, is accompanied by a video to highlight Paris, Texas, along with the statement: “Our partnerships with industry leaders have been a catalyst in growing a strong community that thrives in business with a determined workforce that delivers. We reach for the future, and our momentum has only just begun.”

That statement is supported throughout the site with a tab for new and existing businesses wishing to locate or expand here and includes major employers, the number of employees along with information about location advantages, utility and transportation infrastructure and many amenities.

Talent Recruitment

A talent tab highlights the labor force within a 60-mile radius with almost 850,000 workers and includes average wage and other data including the availability of workforce training at Paris Junior College.

Another tab showcases quality of life with a plethora of information including the Lamar County Chamber of Commerce Newcomer’s Guide, a section on history, housing, education, events, attractions, parks, outdoor activities, sports, downtown culture, health care and other topics.

“This tab is designed to really showcase the quality of life here and is a tool for both our existing industry and those looking to locate or expand here,” Hammond said. “I’ve heard over and over from businesses that what they really want is a centralized place to find quality of life, health care, housing and all of the things that you would utilize to try to recruit people to a community. You can just click on different topics and find attractions, parks, outdoor sports, downton events, health care, all with valuable information.”

Site Selection

A site selection tab showcases available land and building inventory to include size of water lines and transmission lines — basic information site selectors and businesses want to see — while another features news releases and posted PEDC director meeting agendas.

“I just think this website is inviting, professional and it’s user friendly,” Hammond said, adding that it is a work in progress and can be updated on a regular basis.

The Paris News

Mary Madewell is a staff writer for The Paris News. She can be reached at 903-785-6976 or at mary.madewell@theparisnews.com.