Business View Civil Municipal - July 2023

228 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 4, ISSUE 7 30,000 people. “We certainly have the opportunity for those people to be doing business in River Oaks. A lot of them rent properties being that most of them aren’t there permanently,” conveys Mayor Houk. With no big box stores such as Wal-Mart within the city boundaries, he says there is easy access to these amenities in the region, while River Oaks remains committed to the entrepreneurial spirit the community is reputed for. “Most of our businesses are smaller, retail type, whether it be boutiques that have opened up that look very promising, says Houk. Nurturing business growth and exceptional service in River Oaks The City of River Oaks has worked diligently in the past 4 years to promote good customer service in our city offices. Years ago, city staff was not approachable and lacked appropriate customer service skills. Houk suggests, “We are trying to make sure that they realize that their smile and their greeting of a business owner should be no different than if you’re going to a repair shop to have your car worked on. You don’t want somebody grumpy, that doesn’t like their job being the person that meets you. He maintains that the addition of Blythe Reaves to the team four years ago has greatly assisted in addressing inquiries and providing information to both residents and potential business owners. The city has adopted a proactive approach, educating any interested business owners, organizing ribbon cutting ceremonies for new businesses, and actively supporting local businesses. The city has been demonstrating their commitments to economic development and community engagement. The strategy is working, businesses are interested in opening in River Oaks. In the last four years, businesses have been opening and thriving in the city and the number of businesses has doubled. Albright remarks, “ I must have come in kind of after the mindset reset because I