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MPEDC Wraps Up Economic Development Week 2021 with Announcements

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MPEDC wrapped up the 2021 Economic Development Week (May 9-15) with TWO exciting announcements and some volunteerism:

1) ANNOUNCEMENT: Earlier this month, City Council voted to transfer a Revolving Loan Fund valued at $234,000 to MPEDC to assist small & emerging businesses. The fund had only been used once in the past 20 years. MPEDC is excited to put these funds to work! Stay tuned for official roll-out.
 
 
2) ANNOUNCEMENT: MPEDC teamed up with the AMAZING SizeUp team to roll out a new business intelligence tool to help small businesses. MPEDC’s tool is customized to include regional data from 11 surrounding communities to give our businesses the best comparative data possible. Temporary Link (will be on our website soon): https://mountpleasant.sizeup.com/. The tool will also be available in the Small Business section of our website.
 

3) VOLUNTEERISM: This week, all MPEDC staff volunteered with other community members to role play in the Chamber of Commerce’s “Nonprofit Day: Life Simulation” for the 2021 Mount Pleasant Leadership Class. The simulation is hosted by the National Credit Union & the Mount Pleasant Texas Chamber of Commerce to bring awareness to poverty & decision-making behavior of varying socio-economic groups under simulated financial pressures. What an empowering and eye-opening experience for our future community leaders! Mount Pleasant has an amazing nonprofit community! Thank you for the opportunity to participate, Mount Pleasant Texas Chamber of Commerce.

 

  #economicdevelopment #community #EDW2021

 

Executive Director Wins 40 Under 40 Award in Economic Development

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Nathan Tafoya Wins 40 Under 40 Award in Economic Development

Mount Pleasant, TEXAS – Nathan Tafoya, Executive Director, Mount Pleasant Economic Development Corporation has been announced as a recipient of the 2021 Economic Development 40 Under 40 Award, the biennial award recognizing rising stars under 40 years old in the economic development industry.

The awards program is hosted by Development Counsellors International (DCI), a New York-based integrated marketing firm that works with economic development and travel organizations around the globe, and Jorgenson Consulting, a leading national executive search firm serving organizations in non-profit, economic, and community development industries. An independent selection committee of six economic development professionals and site selection consultants evaluated a record-number of 200-plus nominees.

“This past year has demonstrated the importance of economic development in building and sustaining resilient communities,” said Julie Curtin, president of DCI’s economic development practice. “I’m especially impressed by the diverse perspectives and skillsets of this year’s winners as they lead communities to prioritize new ways of thinking, building inclusive and equitable economies, and bringing an attitude of fresh new ideas to the challenges in the industry. The economic development future is bright with these young leaders.”

“We are lucky to have Nathan and his family here in our community. This award indicates others in his field recognize his considerable talents,” said Erman Hensel, EDC Board President. “Nathan is creative and unorthodox. He has a knack for seeing the obscure and is a tenacious change agent. Our Board thinks very highly of him and we appreciate his efforts to attract and retain businesses and investment in Mount Pleasant.”

Nathan holds an MBA and earned his Certified Economic Developer accreditation in 2019 from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). In 2020,       he taught classes and spoke as a panelist for both the IEDC and Texas Economic Development Council, respectively. He and his wife, Bonnie, have four children. Nathan’s family relocated to Mount Pleasant, TX in June 2018.

“The economic development industry is in good hands with these rising leaders,” said Todd Jorgenson, managing director and principal of Jorgenson Consulting, Inc. “The communities they represent—from Tuxpan, Mexico to Covington, Kentucky to Québec, Canada—are fortunate to have the smart, innovative ideas of this year’s winners.”

DCI and Jorgenson officially announced the winners last night (March 16, 2021) at a virtual awards reception held in conjunction with the International Economic Development Council Leadership Summit.

For more information on the 40 Under 40 awards program and this year’s winners, visit econdev40under40.com.

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About MPEDC

The City of Mount Pleasant, Texas Industrial Development Corporation, dba Mount Pleasant Economic Development Corporation’s (MPEDC) Mission is to promote economic development in the City of Mount Pleasant and Titus County by supporting initiatives designed to increase jobs and private investment primarily in the manufacturing sector through real property development, workforce education and infrastructure extension. The organization is organized under the Texas Municipal Code as a Type A Economic Development Corporation.

MPEDC exists to promote Mount Pleasant as a premier location for business, targeting key industries that provide high wage jobs and future sustainability for the community. MPEDC is the primary point of contact for existing businesses and prospective businesses, site selectors, developers, and community stakeholders to obtain technical expertise and support services necessary to properly evaluate business opportunities in the city.

About DCI

Considered the leader in marketing places, Development Counsellors International (DCI) specializes in economic development and tourism marketing. The agency has designed integrated marketing campaigns for more than 500 cities, regions, states and countries since it was established in New York City in 1960. Services include public relations, branding, research, websites, paid media, and talent attraction.  www.aboutdci.com

About Jorgenson Consulting

Founded in 1992, Jorgenson Consulting has worked diligently over the past 29 years to establish itself as a premier national executive search firm. With a focus on the fields of non-profit, economic and community development, we partner with our clients to help them identify and secure the highest caliber of executive talent. Our goal is to develop a thorough understanding of our clients and leverage that knowledge with our own expertise and resources to source executive talent that can truly serve the organization by yielding economic benefits while also contributing to a community’s competitive advantage. www.jci-inc.net

Mixed-Use Development Announcement: Anderson Towne Crossing in Mount Pleasant, TX

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Anderson Towne Crossing in Mount Pleasant, TX Repurposes Former City Water Supply & Lake for Mixed-Use Development

MPEDC is excited to finally go public the following video & images of Anderson Towne Crossing. 

The 117-acre mixed-use development will redevelop/re-purpose an underutilized City-owned lake (former City water supply) & leverage a high-traffic location along Interstate 30 & Highway 271 to bring new commercial & housing opportunities to Mount Pleasant, TX. 

A 64,000 SF Atwoods kicked off the project (target opening date of November 2020) and development is expected to begin in mid-2021 on Anderson Towne Center.

More Info: At its City Council meeting October 6, 2020, the City of Mount Pleasant, Texas passed another milestone & learned more about a new mixed-use development planned for the north side of Mount Pleasant along I-30. You can watch the City Council meeting here (54 minute, 24 second mark).

MPEDC Launches COVID-19 Business Resource Center

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MPEDC Announcement:

MPEDC has created a Business Resource Center to help answer business-related questions.

Visit this link: https://mpedc.org/news/covid-19-business-resource-center/.

A lot of people are working hard to help mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on our businesses & community. We hope this adds some value and helps ease the process for 

Please let us know if you have any recommendations. Y’all be safe. 💪 You’re not alone.

#StayHome #Together #SharedSacrifice 

#MountPleasant #Business #FlattenTheCurve

MPEDC Executive Director Receives Designation of Certified Economic Developer from the International Economic Development Council

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(MOUNT PLEASANT, TX – November 4, 2019) – Nathan Tafoya, Executive Director MPEDC in Mount Pleasant, TX, earned the designation of Certified Economic Developer (CEcD), a national recognition that denotes a mastery of skills in economic development, professional attainment, and a commitment to personal and professional growth. 

 
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) administered the CEcD exam on October 12-13, 2019 in Indianapolis, IN at the JW Marriott. With 13 years of economic development experience, Nathan Tafoya has a successful track record at both state and local levels attracting jobs and capital investment to communities. Mr. Tafoya holds an MBA from the University of New Mexico, where he took 1st place in the school’s annual technology business plan competition and was awarded $25,000 from Lockheed Martin. Mr. Tafoya is also a graduate of the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma. Mr. Tafoya joined MPEDC on June 18, 2018.

 
“I am extremely pleased to announce I’ve earned the nationally-recognized Certified Economic Developer designation from IEDC,” Nathan Tafoya said. “This designation adds another level of confidence in MPEDC’s activities in the community. The designation also signals to outside companies and consultants that their projects in Mount Pleasant, TX will be handled at the highest levels of expertise and professionalism. I look forward to a continued and rigorous application of all things economic development in Mount Pleasant and Titus County. This community is poised for incredible success and I’m excited to be standing should-to-shoulder with some of the most dedicated and proficient community partners and leaders in Texas.” 


The CEcD designation recognizes qualified and dedicated practitioners in the economic development field and sets the standard of excellence within the profession. Candidates must pass a rigorous and comprehensive examination, which has three parts and spans two days. The exam tests a practitioner’s knowledge, proficiency and judgment in the following key areas of economic development:

● business retention and expansion

● finance & credit analysis

● marketing and attraction

● strategic planning

● entrepreneurial & small business development

● managing economic development organizations

● neighborhood development strategies

● real estate development & reuse

● technology-led economic development

● workforce development strategies

● foreign direct investment & exporting

As highly competent economic development professionals, Certified Economic Developers work with public officials, business leaders and community members to create leadership to build upon and maximize the economic development sector. Excellence in the economic development profession improves the well-being, quality of life and opportunities for individuals, businesses and communities. There are currently more than 1,100 active CEcDs in the United States.

Address- Temporary Office Location

302 North Jefferson Avenue, Suite 140  •  Mount Pleasant, Texas 75455

Phone

Office: 903.572.6602  •  Fax: 903.572.0631

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