I-35 corridor economic development alliance formed

Austin Business Journal

Economic development officials in New Braunfels, Schertz and Seguin have agreed to pool their resources to market themselves as the 10/35 Economic Development Alliance to site selection firms and prospects.

The cities are drawing the name of their alliance from the fact these communities are located either on or near Interstate Highway 10 and Interstate Highway 35. The cities formed the alliance on the cusp of recent company relocation decisions in the tri-city area, including Caterpillar, Sysco Foods and Baptist Health Systems.

New Braunfels and Seguin already were in a long-standing partnership. However, economic development officials approached Schertz to join due to its strategic location, shared county resources, strong warehouse and distribution centers, shared workforce and values.

“Having worked on a number of projects together, there was already a level of familiarity established with Jeff Jewell, economic development director for Schertz,” said Rusty Brockman, economic development director for Build - New Braunfels.

By merging some of their core economic development functions, the three cities want to combine marketing resources in a cost-effective manner, expand their reach and compete on a larger, global scale.

“As economic developers, we have the option to grow by choice or chance. We are happy to be at the helm of choice; to shape and guide the area’s economic development future with our new partners,” Jewell said.

The new alliance has already approved a marketing budget that includes traveling to more trade missions with the Governor’s Office, increased trade shows, a bus tour, a commercial broker breakfast and expanded advertising and social media marketing.

Economic development officials say the genesis of this alliance stems from a shift in thinking in attracting companies that are in the process of expanding or relocating operations. Instead of competing against other in bidding for projects, the cities have decided to work together.

“As for the three cities in the alliance, we are all situated ideally between San Antonio and Austin. We have the same strengths as the bigger cities, but promote our cost advantages, availability of space and business-friendly attitude,” said Terry Trevino, economic development director for Seguin.

Read more: I-35 corridor economic development alliance formed - Austin Business Journal