Wilkinson also points to zoning updates that now allow for more flexible housing.“We added provisions for tiny homes, and we created an ordinance for accessory dwelling units.That means that in certain single family residential districts, property owners can apply to build a second housing unit on their property. That allows them to have some flexibility on their property, for an additional income, or to have family there.” In addition,Vernon’s zoning already supports mixeduse development in the core, and some residential spaces exist above downtown businesses. “We are always working with developers that are interested in putting in living spaces in our downtown,” she confirms. INDUSTRY AND INNOVATION Vernon continues to explore new economic opportunities, both in town and in the surrounding county. “There’s a group called OPS that’s doing an industrialized park. It is in the county, but it’s close enough to us to have a trickle-down effect,” expands Kennon.“They’re developing lots of things, like data centers and Bitcoin, and the infrastructure is the reason they’re here. The electrical infrastructure in that location is a huge magnet right now for businesses.” Over the past decade, developers have taken advantage of Wilbarger County’s abundant sunshine and strong winds to install numerous solar and wind farms, utilizing infrastructure left behind by a retired coal fired power plant. This surge in green energy production has attracted Bitcoin and Connect Well. Live Well. HIGH-SPEED INTERNET • PHONE • BUSINESS I.T. 7110 US HWY 287 E, Vernon, TX 76384 syntrio.net | (877) 886-2217 LOCAL SERVICE YOU CAN TRUST 6 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 06
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