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II II II e e Economic Development Incentives Policy June 2006 Page 2 San Marcos has expansive rail service, offering both cargo and passenger service with approximately 30 trains passing through town each day. Union Pacific Railroad operates one of the nation's major rail- freight systems, serving 23 states and linking the Pacific Coast and the Texas Gulf Coast with the major gateway cities of Chicago, St. Louis, Memphis, and New Orleans. Union Pacific is one of the few U. S. railroads that interchange cars with both Canadian and Mexican railroads. San Marcos has two rail sidings for shipping and receiving cargo and piggyback and switching services are available in nearby San Antonio. Amtrak provides three weekly San Marcos stops for passenger trains that run north and south from Chicago to Laredo. Passengers needing to travel east and west can transfer in San Antonio to reach their destinations. San Marcos is proud of its Municipal Airport, located just three miles from downtown San Marcos. The airport spreads over 1,350 acres and offers sixty acres of open concrete parking ramps. Four runways, aligned in a configuration that virtually eliminates crosswind operations, range from 5,500 to 6,300 feet in length. All are 100 or more feet wide and are maintained to FAA standards. The primary runway is ILS equipped, allowing the FAA to designate the airport as a Reliever Airport, The San Marcos Municipal Airport is fully capable of handling aircraft operations up to and including small (B-737/MD-BO) commercial airliners efficiently and safely. To meet the needs of the international marketer, a foreign trade zone has been established at the airport. Scheduled commercial air transportation services can be easily accessed at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, located only 30 miles away, or the San Antonio International Airport situated 45 miles to the south. B. Economic Development Objectives and Goals San Marcos is open for business I Located in one of Texas' fastest growing counties and most important international trade corridors, San Marcos offers: . an affordable workforce and excellent training facilities; . a network of dynamic technology and service firms; . an expanding transportation system; . an extensive utility infrastructure; . a favorable tax structure; and . an excellent quality of life with the amenities of the Texas Hill Country, located between two major metropolitan areas. The San Marcos City Council seeks to attract new business to the City, and to provide expansion opportunities for its existing businesses. The Council would like to attract companies that will provide synergy for the existing area manufacturers, provide high paying jobs for San Marcos citizens and Texas State University graduates and continue the growth of our retail/tourism/music industries. Because of the City's location along the international NAFTA highway, and close proximity to several major metropolitan areas, San Marcos would make an excellent transportation center With its central location, and available land, San Marcos wants to attract a diverse mix of industries Lo complement the resources the City has to offer The City works with other economic development team members including Economic Development San Marcos, the San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce, the San Marcos Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Texas State University-San Marcos, the San Marcos Council of Neighborhood Associations, and Hays County On a regional and State level the City partners with the Office of the Governor, Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCO), Lower Colorado River Authority, Pedernales Electric Cooperative, Guadalupe Blanco River Authority, Texas Department of Transportation, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and Texas Department of Agriculture In order to attract and grow businesses, the City of San Marcos has developed economic development strategies to benefit and unite its citizens behind common goals The strategies include