“Investors want certainty,” Morris explains. “When they understand what’s expected and see that the city is prepared to partner with them, projects move forward.” NATURAL ASSETS DRIVING TOURISM AND LIVABILITY Pilot Point’s growth story cannot be told without acknowledging its natural surroundings. Bordering Ray Roberts Lake State Park and positioned near two additional state parks, the city sits adjacent to one of the most heavily visited outdoor recreation areas in Texas. Nearly one million visitors pass through the lake region annually, drawn by fishing, hiking, equestrian trails, and camping. Major events such as the Bassmaster Classic have brought national attention to the area, reinforcing Pilot Point’s role as a gateway community. Marinas accessed through the city naturally funnel visitors past downtown businesses, creating opportunities for restaurants, shops, and services to capture tourism-driven spending. Beyond recreation, the surrounding landscape is defined by horse country. Pilot Point’s soil, open space, and trail networks have attracted equestrian facilities, trainers, and ranches, adding another dimension to the local economy and lifestyle appeal. For residents, the ability to access trails, lakes, and open land so close to home has become a defining quality-of-life advantage. As Mayor Major often notes, residents may not need expansive private acreage when they effectively share a “backyard” of state parks and protected land just minutes from downtown. A SURGE IN RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT Perhaps the most striking indicator of Pilot Point’s momentum is the scale of residential development underway. Currently, sixteen residential projects are active or in advanced planning stages, an extraordinary figure for a community of Pilot Point’s size. These developments range from final phases of Photo Credit: City of Pilot Point. 51 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 07, ISSUE 01 PILOT POINT, TX
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