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<br />CONCLUSION <br />Greater San Marcos has been a cherished area of Texas for many years. Its beautiful <br />natural environment has drawn visitors from across the state for <br />University boasts hundreds of thousands of alumni. In more rece <br />Tanger and Prime Outlet Malls have become the nation’s premier outlet shopping <br />experience, drawing millions of U.S. and Mexican visitors to San <br />The area’s three historic Downtowns have preserved their Texas heritage and bustle <br />with local business. <br />Even with so much going for the region, there is still significant room for <br />improvement. Income levels remain below average. Residents mus <br />the area to attend a community college. For years, the area hea care needs have <br />been underserved. Rental rates are high, home options are limited, and residents <br />spend a higher portion of income on housing than in other areas <br />Greater San Marcos is sandwiched between two rapidly growing met <br />continued expansion will soon spill over into the area. <br />Greater San Marcos’ leaders realize that a reinvigorated approach to economic <br />development is required to address these issues. In February 20 <br />Market Street Services to facilitate a process aimed at directing future economic <br />development, managing future growth, and positioning the community for a wider <br />diversity of quality jobs with higher wages. The process has in <br />economic research and public input as well as guidance from the Partners for <br />Progress, an advisory group representing top leaders from the area’s public and <br />private sectors. <br />Economic development requires long-term vision, patience, and collaboration. It is <br />not a process to be carried out by a single economic development <br />It requires active participation from government, nonprofit, business, and education <br />leaders. The first step in economic development is to establish <br />embraced by the entire community. Individual responsibilities e <br />fall in step with one another when everyone is working toward the same g <br />The purpose of a strategic plan is to set a vision for a communi <br />a road map for accomplishing that vision. The objectives presented in <br />should remain consistent for many years into the future, while action items ma <br />adjusted over time to adapt to changing circumstances. In Great <br />improved workforce development, economic development capacity, i <br />readiness, and quality of place are critical objectives that will require long-term <br />commitment to accomplish. <br />The final report in the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy process will be <br />This document will specify how Greater San Marcos will take <br />an Implementation Plan <br />action on the Strategy, including task assignments and budgets. At present, the area <br />Final Strategy <br />September 2009 46 <br /> <br />