Business View Civil and Municipal | February 2021

73 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL FEBRUARY 2021 TAYLOR , TEXAS Texas customers through their headquarters in Taylor. The local school district, city government, and healthcare also make up a significant portion of the city’s employers, along with several mid -sized industrial businesses, each employing between 15 and 50 employees. Supporting small businesses during COVID-19 was a priority of the city. One strategy included working with the Chamber of Commerce to create funding for those with reduced income opportunities during shutdowns. This plan was successful in keeping many smaller retail and food and drink establishments from major impact. “We were really preparing for the worst in terms of our revenue streams,” says Yantis. “But our sales tax revenues actually went up during COVID. We think some of that has to do with the fact that more people were staying home, therefore, they were spending their tax dollars in Taylor. If they were going outside of the city to work, they may have been spending their lunchtime tax dollars in another community. Overall, I think we’ve been blessed during the pandemic not to have seen a significant economic impact locally. That’s not to say that there haven’t been certain businesses that have been negatively impacted, but by and large the overall economy of the town has weathered it pretty well.” With continued growth on the horizon, the city is focused on protecting the character and quality of life that make Taylor a desirable place to call home. Yantis shares, “We want to maintain the qualities that have made Taylor a great place to live. That includes our walkable neighborhoods and the ability to get around town without having to have an automobile – destinations like our downtown that bring the community together, and our parks and trails.” With its beautiful neighborhoods and welcoming attitude, Taylor maintains a connection to the past with an eye to the present and great plans for the future.