ROCKWALL, TX (Jan. 24, 2015) Attendees of the Rockwall Area Chamber of Commerce’s recent luncheon learned of a very optimistic outlook for the economy of Rockwall and of the positive impact that local businesses have had on the city.
Guests of the event, which took place inside the Lake Pointe Church’s Warehouse 45 on Wednesday, were treated to a delicious meal catered by Bimbo Bakeries as they heard from keynote speakers Mayor Jim Pruitt, City Manager Rick Crowley and Rockwall Economic Development Corporation CEO Sheri Franza regarding the state of the city’s economy and what to expect as Rockwall continues to move ahead in 2015.
Mayor Pruitt stated that even with the downtown construction and renovations, businesses continue to flourish and bring in more people than ever before to the downtown area, spotlighting this past year’s Christmas Parade as an example.
“I know all of the businesses that have come in downtown are being very successful and we’re going to continue with that,” Mayor Pruitt said. “The bond program that you guys supported brought to downtown all of the things that you see. We just did a little bit at Christmastime on a project that was probably a third finished, and we had a massive amount of people downtown. I just can’t wait until it’s completed.”
According to Mayor Pruitt, the city was able to keep the same great level of services for its citizens and even increase a few services thanks to good growth and a 12 percent increase in sales tax revenue generated through Rockwall’s strong business climate.
“We’re committed to doing things downtown,” he said. “We’re doing things to bring in businesses downtown. It’s just amazing to me that our businesses downtown are finding ways to increase their business even with all the renovating going on down there. We appreciate the businesses staying with us while we get this project done and I think it’ll pay off for all of us.”
The city recorded $13.8 million in total sales tax revenue from the previous fiscal year, and is anticipated to increase its sales tax revenue by a further two percent this upcoming fiscal year.
City Manager Rick Crowley said that although the economic outlook for Rockwall is strong, there are a few important things the city should keep an eye on in the coming years, including water and water revenue.
Crowley believes it’s “vitally important” in the long term that the North Texas Municipal Water District receive a permit to build a new lake – a project it has been working on for many years – or secure additional water resources or water supply for the district.
“Years of drought and years of below average rainfall have caused some significant problems, but we have dealt with those problems and will continue to do so,” Crowley said. “There will be continued discussions about water in the coming years, and I encourage you to actively participate in those discussions. I think a single year of average rainfall would make such a difference to the availability of the water in this region, and we haven’t had that in several years.”
Rockwall EDC CEO Sheri Franza shared some more positive news about the local business climate, including the expansion of two major businesses in Rockwall and one top notch corporation that’s coming to town.
Channell Commercial Corporation, a company which provides a full line of thermoplastic enclosure used for underground network applications, will be located on the corner of Justin Road and John King in a 200,000 square-foot facility that will add more than $20 million to the tax roll. The corporation will also bring in more jobs by employing 245 people.
Franza said Col-Met Engineered Finishing Solutions, which has been in Rockwall since 1993, is currently expanding and breaking ground on a 140,000 square foot facility that will add more than $10 million to the tax roll. L3 Communications is also occupying an additional 50,000 square feet and adding 35 high-intelligence jobs focusing on special operations emissions as they look to expand their business in Rockwall.
“Our recognition and reputation is not just local or regional or national; we are doing business and attracting businesses on a worldwide level,” Franza said. “That is a really cool thing because when people hear of Rockwall, they know it’s not just whatever Mesquite and Garland don’t have or don’t want. We get to start picking and choosing what we want.”
Story and photos by Austin Wells, Blue Ribbon News staff writer and reporter.
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