Business View Civil Municipal - July 2023

141 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 4, ISSUE 7 FLORESVI LLE , TE XAS “I think it relates to the affordability of the community and being able to give people that hometown feeling,” she reflects. “You can walk into just about any type of store here in the town that we have and it is also [attributed to] that very warm feeling that draws residents [and commercial interests] in.” On the purely fiscal end, Veliz attributes how low tax rates make it that much more favorable for businesses to take up shop in the area, along with the ability of the city to not charge ‘impact fees’. “I think that is something very inviting because we work with many different developers and businesses and that is always the first thing they ask us- do you charge impact fees?” Peanut Capital of Texas and other perks Floresville has worked hard to preserve its charming downtown hub, both in maintaining some of its historical buildings, as well as ensuring that everything a resident could want and need is concentrated in this community gathering area. “The great thing about our downtown area is that you have everything here. You have a city hall, the county courthouse, the library, the tax office, and a movie theater- a one-stop shop,” Veliz recounts enthusiastically. Adding to the small-town community spirit that Floresville residents enjoy is an array of events that the city puts on throughout the year. Top of that list is the annual, renowned Floresville Peanut Festival every October. Businesses have grown alongside the festival, most notably Ms. Annie’s Peanut Patch which is known worldwide for its delectable peanut butter brittle. “We are known as the Peanut Capital of Texas,” Joslin notes. Just another claim to fame, it can be argued, for a city that is clearly making its mark. What the future holds Among the top priorities for the city, direct sustainable infrastructure initiatives can be included. “We are about to have our ribbon cutting on a new water well that we’re drilling,” Joslin highlights.