Copyright © 2013 Concho Valley Council of Governments. All rights reserved.
Concho Valley City/County Profiles Area Strengths Economic Development Quick Links Doing Business TARC What is CEDS? EDC and Chambers Business Resources CVCOG Homepage What Makes Us Special Tourism Maps Media Solid Waste The Concho Valley Economic Development District, Incorporated (CVEDD) came into existence following  the actions of the Conc ho Valley Council of Govern ments (CVCOG) in 1993. The district is a Texas  nonprofit corporation with United States I.R.S. design ation as a 501 (C) 6 organization. CVEDD is  operated under direction of the Board of Directors who also serve as an CEDS Committee for planning  purposes. They meet every two months and represent a broad spectrum including: labor; business; local  government ; industry; finance; agriculture; professionals; education; health; unemployed;  underemployed; and minorities, including racial and gender groups of the district. CVEDD is staffed and administered under contract with the Concho Valley Council of Governments.  Present staff members of the district are: Jeffrey K. Sutton  - Executive Director; Marcos A. Mata  - Re gi onal Services Director;   Albert Rodriguez  - Loan Officer. The district serves the thirteen counties of: Coke; Concho; Crockett; Irion; Kimble; Mason; McCulloch;  Menard; Reagan; Schleicher; Sterling; Sutton; and Tom Green. There are fifteen c ities in the district with  Census 2000 populations ranging from 155 in the City of Melvin to 88,439 in the City of San Angelo. The  cities are: Big Lake; Brady; Bronte; Eden; Eldorado; Junction; Mason; Melvin; Menard; Mertzon; Paint  Rock; Robert Lee; San An gelo; Sonora; and Sterling City.  The district is centrally located in West Texas. It is served with nine (9) U.S. and six (6) State highways.  The one lack is a north - south interstate. However, recent notices have indicated that both the federal  Por ts - to - Plains trade corridor and the state Trunk System include routes through the center of the  Concho Valley passing through several cities. The upgrade and expansion of these highways will provide  the region with additional access to economic mar kets of the state, nation and international trade.  The district is a sparsely populated rural area with a 2010 Census population of 154,192 citizens. 70  percent of the estimated 2010 census  resides in Tom Green County and the remaining 30 per cent is  spread among the other twelve counties. Sterling County has the least amount with only a total of 1,393  residents in the entire county. The geography of the district includes the dry and arid expanse in the west and the central Texas Hill  Co untry in the east. The average rainfall in the west is 18 inches per year and in the east it averages just  less than 25 inches per year. The growing season is exceptionally long due to the warm climate. The  district has had a roller - coaster his tory of economic development from the mid 1800s to current  times. The land was settled by rugged pioneers who developed the area into agricultural production.  Row crops have been grown in the northern portion of the district and farm animals have been the  main  cash crops in the central and southern portions. Cattle, goats, and sheep are the main products. The  Concho Valley is a leading center for goats, sheep, wool and other related products. Row farming is  primarily cotton and grain crops. The distr ict fifteen cities contain infrastructure systems which have been in existence for a number of  years. Streets, water systems, waste water systems, public buildings, and fire protection equipment  need updating and enhancing to meet regulations and t he demands of growth. Most of the local  governments have applied for the Texas Community Development Program for funding for infrastructure from year to year. These funds have provided assistance on a number of programs, but  needs exceed the funding availa ble. The U. S. Department of Agriculture through its Rural Development  program has assisted in these needs for some of the rural areas. Serious needs continue to exist with  assistance critical for economic growth. There has been limited growth in th e area. The lack of a diversified economy and the region dependence  on the petroleum and agribusiness sectors had left the counties and cities in the area in a   sustaining mode in an effort to endure hard economic difficulties. However , recent advances in the petroleum  industry have reflected well in those areas of the region with a significant interest in that industry. The  area does not have alternative jobs available for these citizens who are trained for specific occupations.  The no rthern and western portions of the district have had to deal with changes in governmental crop  programs and continued droughts. The southern and eastern portions of the region have been dealing  with the drought and the drop in prices for wool and mohair. H owever, there have been some advances  in the economic condition of the area. For example, the City of San Angelo has replaced some of the jobs  lost with the closing of two local manufacturing firms with the placement of two service operations.  Economic div ersification has occurred in cities like Bronte and Eden who have located detention centers  in their respective areas. Additionally, McCulloch County and the City of Brady are marketing products  from special sand found in the county, trailer manufacturing  and computer cable. Finally, the economic  pressure in the area has resulted in a resilient regional community that has begun to understand that  their individual well - being is dependent on the collective well - being of the region. This, along with items  such as the new West Texas Training Center, will better equip the region to face the economic  development concerns that it faces in the 21st century. The Concho Valley District has some rural cities which have a portion of the sales tax designated for  e conomic development. The cities are utilizing the economic development sales tax in a variety of ways  to augment and expand their economic development strategies. The cities have made good use of the  sales tax to attract new industry and to save jobs at ot hers. The main problem is the small amount of  funds available in these areas. Local funding for housing, infrastructure, and development is limited. The financial community is helpful  toward growth, but is limited in the amount of funds which can be committed. Additional funding is  needed for growth and retention of existing business.  Medical facilities are critical to the remote rural areas, as they are to larger population centers. There  are a very limited number of physicians in the rural  areas. This problem is addressed through the clinics,  nurses, and physician assistants in the district. A better system of networking among all of these  providers is needed. The counties of the district have problems with the communication s ystems for law enforcement and  emergency services. These systems are old and do not reach the entire district and into neighboring  regions as needed for good communications. Advances have been made in this area and inter - communication has improved however  updating is needed to serve future needs. The district has an excellent quality of life for its citizens. The region climate and availability of health  services within the populated areas of the region attract many retirees. The ample huntin g and fishing  facilities bring many sportsmen to the area during those seasons. Goals, objectives and implementation plans for the district recognize the strengths and weaknesses. The  district must address the needs of: streets, water systems, waste water systems, landfilling, recycling,  medical networking, transportation, education, production of products related to local raw materials,  development of diversification of local economies, and providing financing for expansion and start - up  business. The Concho Valley Economic Development District, Inc. will continue to work  with the Concho Valley  RC & D, the Angelo State University  - Small Business Development Center, the University of Texas  - Permian Basin  - University Center, the Big Country  RC &D, the Hill Country RC& D, the Lower Colorado  River Authority, the Colorado River Municipal Water District, American Electric Power, Lone Star Gas,  Verizon Telephone, local chambers of commerce, and local economic development organizations to  pro vide a coordinated effort to develop a vital economy in the entire district. The cities and counties of the district are interested in growth. They support efforts of the district and  each participant in the enhancement and promotion of the area for potential and expanding industries  and the quality of life for citizens. The Concho Valley Economic Development District, Inc. serves the LAND OF PROMISE. The promise is  that the district provides opportunities for growth in an environment which en courages family living and  community involvement.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY