Business View Civil & Municipal Apr-2023

61 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 4, ISSUE 4 SELMA , TE XAS year, the city was awarded the title, punching above its weight class for a city of its size. Another project the city embarked on was the restoration of a historic building and site. Back in 1849, when the town was established, it was founded as a stage stop for wagons moving between San Antonio and Austin. The stage stop and original property were managed by the Harrison family. After the successful application, the property was listed by the Texas Historical Commission, and now it is on the National Registry of Historic Places. This allowed the city to restore the stage stop and house, and develop a visitor center and a large local park. The park has a basketball court and splash pad, and the house is rented out for various functions. This development was woven together via an immense trail network that traverses the two properties. Also, with the development of the property, local news outlets have begun to mention Selma in articles, like a piece that listed 20 Hidden Gems in the City of San Antonio area. Currently, the city does not have an economic development corporation, which means business opportunities are reviewed by committees and spearheaded by the city. Sometimes the city will contract third-party consultants to assist if needed. Selma has a wide range of businesses operating within its city limits of only five and a half square miles. The lack of space has not dampened the city’s efforts to attract more businesses. And city officials have a history of bringing in business, such as Costco Wholesale, that has been set up within the city limits. At the time, management was able to entice the giant retailer by offering economic development incentives. Currently, an abundance of speculative industrial warehouse buildings is popping up in the city. Another booming market is spec-built housing