San Marcos, Texas has grown from a college and tourist town to a city brimming with new business activity.  Nearly equidistant from the thriving cities of Austin and San Antonio, the area sits in a “garden spot” to take advantage of economic opportunities related to each metro; these are in addition to strengths and resources unique to San Marcos itself. The dynamics of that evolution are exactly what this comprehensive economic development planning process is all about.

Market Street Services partnered with Economic Development San Marcos and the City of San Marcos to coordinate a strategy aimed at elevating economic prosperity for the residents, businesses, and elected/appointed leadership of the Greater San Marcos area.  At the end of the eight-month project, San Marcos received a clear picture of what type of place it “wants to be” and a prioritized set of action areas to achieve its goals.

The resulting Strategy answers the following
important questions:

1. What are the area’s competitive strengths and challenges?
2. What development should occur in the San Marcos area?
3. What is the Greater San Marcos Area’s unique niche?
4. How can area leaders organize and market to support economic development?
5. What are the core “directions” that San Marcos must move in, and what are the priority actions that will enable the area to achieve its goals?
6. How can success in the Greater San Marcos Area be measured on an ongoing basis?
   

A more thoughtful, proactive approach to economic development is needed if Greater San Marcos is to achieve the vision described this Strategy and overcome the challenges identified during the planning process.

It is impossible for a strategic plan to be successful if its implementation is the responsibility of a single organization.  Success requires active participation from all government, nonprofit, business, and education leaders. Comprised of representatives from all of these sectors, Greater San Marcos’ Partners for Progress is the ideal organization for leading the new initiative moving forward.

The progressive new program proposed in the Strategy requires an injection of energy, funding, and additional staff resources into Greater San Marcos Economic Development (GSMED).

Between the Strategy’s completion in September 2009 and its official launch in early Spring 2010, the community must prepare organizationally and financially for implementation.  The Partners for Progress will take the lead on these preparations, but will need the full support of their individual organization’s stakeholders for momentum to continue.

On behalf of Market Street Services and the entire team, we thank you for your interest in the strategic planning process.  Please take a moment to learn more about the project. Contact us if you have questions.