Place making is a familiar concept in economic development. It is the practice of creating or enhancing a community’s assets to improve its overall attractiveness and livability.

Place making can include large-scale projects such as the creation of public spaces and improvement of the roads, technology, utility and school infrastructure, but also includes small-scale efforts such as pop-up retail and downtown beautification.

Building a foundation for the residents of Sealy to prosper, it takes community input and diverse perspectives to contribute to a growth plan that embraces innovative concepts to ensure that our top priorities are identified as we determine where to invest taxpayer funds in our place-making efforts.

According to a variety of 2021 economic development reports, COVID-19 is pushing greater numbers of Americans out of cities and into rural communities. A recent survey from January 2021 from the World Economic Forum revealed that remote working possibilities are thought to be powering the change and found that nearly 50% of U.S. adults would prefer to live in a small town or rural area.

Although we cannot quan tify the survey results, and we are not predicting a dramatic migration, we do know that an increase in population is coming and that our community leaders and department heads are always planning priorities to meet the growth and development needs, or place-making plans, for Sealy. Earlier this year, the need for broadband infrastructure was one amongst many priorities identified by City Council. Broadband is commonly a requirement of most industries who are searching for expansion locations so as the federal government releases a variety of COVID-19 community recovery funds the SEDC will partner with City staff in the efforts to identify grant opportunities and determine if Sealy meets any grant eligibility requirements for funding technology infrastructure expansion.

Place making also involves attracting the right businesses to meet the needs and desires of the community. As the housing developments and the I-10 expansion project continue to make progress, now is the time in our growth cycle to focus our attention on attracting the retail, restaurant and entertainment venues. These businesses will improve our livability and assets to achieve attracting the diversity and quality of jobs and residents that guide our growth in a desirable direction for sustainable economic prosperity.

The SEDC is committed to investing in the steps necessary to reach our placemaking goals. The housing developments will attract new residents, who will add to our workforce. The availability of workforce is the most important piece of the puzzle in attracting the industries that will result in diverse job creation. Partnerships between Sealy ISD and Blinn College enhance our ability to create and customize trade specialization in our community.

Throughout the placemaking process, we are open to businesses large and small! Sealy is stacking successes one small piece at a time, focusing on supporting local small businesses and the spirit of entrepreneurialism. Small business is the heart of our country and the driver of our economy. Large industries will also find that Sealy will go above and beyond as we strive to build a reputation of being very responsive and having a ‘can do’ and welcoming attitude.