Wharton Economic Development Corporation (WEDCo), a nonprofit industrial
development corporation, was formed in March 1998 with the passage of
the one half cent sales tax increase. WEDCo functions under the City
of Wharton, Texas, pursuant to Article 5190.6, Section 4B of The
Development Corporation Act of 1979, as amended. Expenditures of the
tax revenues are intended for the development of commercial, industrial
and manufacturing enterprises and to promote and encourage employment
and public welfare.
WEDCo, a 4B Chartered Corporation, is governed by a seven (7) member
Board of Directors, with ten (10) additional members of the Board serving
as an Advisory Committee. Donald R. Carlson serves as President, Raymond
Harrison, Jr., Vice-President, Ray Linseisen, Secretary, and Scott Chambers,
Treasurer. Dr. David Samuelson, Gary Nunez and Kent Hill also serve
as Directors. Advisory Committee Members include: Bryce Kocian, Mayor,
Andres Garza, Jr., City Manager. John W. Murrile, Wharton County Judge,
Don Hillis, WISD Superintendent, Betty McCrohan, President WCJC, Gordon
Franklin, President Wharton Industrial Foundation, Debbie Kana, Work
Source Business Consultant, Michael Wootton, Marilyn Sebesta and Billie
Jones. David Schroeder is the Executive Director and Karen Heintschel
is the Executive Assistant.
Purposes For the Corporation and Constituents:
- Develop a positive climate for business and industrial growth and investment.
- Assist in creation of jobs
- Increase the tax base of the various taxing entities.
- Diversify the local economy to make it more impervious to state and national economic recession.
- Make plans and take necessary actions to insure that all necessary infrastructure is in place to allow for proper development.
- Take necessary actions to stop negative developments from occurring that would denigrate the quality of life in the City or impede future development.
- Act as a catalyst for solutions to problems that cross geo-political boundaries.
Representative Tasks Undertaken by the Board:
The following is a list of some of the tasks the Corporation has undertaken that relate to its purpose:
- Developed guidelines and policy recommendations for value added tax abatements.
- Operate the tax abatement mechanism.
- Create task force on fulfilling corporate needs and projects.
- Push for analysis of City improvements in the infrastructure.
- Recruit supporters to complete projects.
- Produce economic information used by rating agencies for evaluation of City vitality.
- Handle real estate negotiations to establish or expand business opportunities.
- Support mobility task force working on expansion of U.S. 59.
- Recommend Tax policy to be enacted by City, County and School District.
- Recommend the sales tax for economic development in specific use.
- Operate the economic demographic database and publish information on the City.
- Operate the marketing programs for the City. Produce various publications, films and maps.
Corporation Principals Include:
The principals for the major developer interests in the City of Wharton include the Board of Directors of the Wharton Economic Development Corporation and support by a pro-growth Mayor, City Council and County Judge and Commissioners, major corporations, banks, utility services, educational institutions, principal manufacturers, small businesses and other commercial interest addressing the future growth and lifestyle of the community.
Operations:
The staff of the organization, consisting of professionals who report to the Board of Directors, include the Executive Director and Executive Assistant. The annual budget is over $600,000. The organization calls on the corporate and human resources to accomplish much of its mission.
Offices:
The Corporation maintains an office adjacent to the Wharton Civic Center.
Regular Meetings are normally held on the fourth Monday of each month.
Wharton Economic Development Corporation
1944 N. Fulton, Wharton, Texas 77488
(979) 532-0999 or (866) 532-0999
Fax: (979) 532-5257
E-mail: wedc1@sbcglobal.net
Tax Identification No. 76-0573917
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- Per Capita Income for Wharton County $20,194
- Regional Wharton Airport
- 30 miles from Sugar Land
- 56 miles from downtown Houston
- 142 miles from Austin
- 173 miles from San Antonio
- 200 miles from Corpus
