Business View Magazine
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proudly. “It’s a combination Blues Fest and barbeque
competition. We partner with the Kansas City Bar-
beque Association and our barbeque competition is
ranked in the top ten in the nation. We have partici-
pants from all over the country, as well as tremendous
support and partnership from our business commu-
nity, hospital district, school district, and city staff.”
Griffin also explains how some ongoing road projects
are helping the city attract new businesses, while con-
tinuing to make Bedford more accessible and user-
friendly for its residents. “We’ve just completed some
major highway redevelopment that took about four
and half years,” he says. “We went from six lanes to
16 lanes, including the access roads. All that’s been
redeveloped and redone and has spurred additional
business growth along that highway corridor.” Another
thoroughfare in the northern part of the city is going
to be redesigned, as well. “We’re going to do a com-
plete redesign with wider sidewalks, more greenery,
and bike paths, all to enhance access and promote a
green environment opportunity.”
Getting its citizens out and about is clearly a priority
for Bedford’s Mayor, who is a running enthusiast, him-
self. “We’ve connected with IT’S TIME TEXAS, which
is a health initiative to try to get our city employees,
staff, residents, school district, hospital district, and
anybody interested in healthy living,” he states. “One
of the things that we’re going to do is join forces with
surrounding cities to push toward a ‘Blue Zone’ des-
ignation, where we emphasize more healthy eating,
walking, biking, and exercising.”
Once almost all but abandoned, today Bedford, Texas
has become a friendly and thriving community known
