Business View Civil and Municipal | January 2021

69 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL JANUARY 2021 SEAGOV I LLE , TEXAS to be the opposite. And while a lot of people were out of jobs, which is very sad and we hate that, the community really stuck together and shopped Seagoville. Our property taxes all came in. Through the pandemic that we’re still under, the community has supported the city. It’s been a good relationship with everybody and we’ve come out on top.” The Seagoville Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) was one of the first in the state to offer COVID-19 relief to local companies, when they gave out $1,000 grants to help businesses survive the first stages of the pandemic. Now, they are in the process of handing out more than $700,000 in federal relief funds. The SEDC is no stranger to helping businesses in the community with everything they could need – from working with city council to incentives and helpful advice. Stallings is the only direct employee of the SEDC and also manages the city, that leaves all of the funds that go to the SEDC available for incentive programs, like its improvement grant that gives a maximum of $15,000 to help a business with façade and/or parking improvements. There are many for new businesses as well. “The SEDC will do whatever it can,” says Stalling, “as we’ve got a very robust budget. We bring in close to $1 million a year just in sales tax that funds the EDC in order to make sure that we’re able to give as large incentives as possible. We’re also actively working to revitalize our downtown. Seven years ago the downtown was really dead, but now most of the buildings are full.” After the U.S. 175 highway was built, retail and industry sprung up around it and downtown Seagoville suffered. But that is about to change. The city plans to relocate some city facilities downtown to increase foot traffic. There are also seven new townhome developments being built downtown for young professionals and older adults who are looking for a more walkable or bikeable community. Recreation-wise, Seagoville already has much to offer, including nine parks, the