KENNEDALE, Texas — Chelsea Petty of CP2 Consultants briefed the Kennedale Economic Development Corporation on July 22 about recent business outreach, an upcoming Business Connection luncheon and early survey findings that identify marketing and workforce issues as top business concerns.

“We spent most of our time this month getting ready for... business retention and expansion,” Petty told the board, saying CP2 had visited “more than 40 businesses so far this month, in person.” She said the visits were used to hand-deliver invitations to the inaugural Business Connection luncheon, to encourage sponsorships for the Hometown Christmas event, and to gather contact and needs information from local companies.

Petty said five companies had RSVP’d for the luncheon as of the meeting packet but that she expected additional RSVPs during the week before the event. She also said CP2 would deliver a first draft of the EDC website by the end of the week and that the bulk of the website work was “fine tuning and choosing between this and that.”

Survey results presented in the packet showed businesses’ top challenges included finding new customers and marketing, attracting and retaining employees, and competition. Petty said construction and traffic impacts from the Southeast Connector project had come up repeatedly and that some businesses were seeking clearer philanthropic commitment in the community.

Petty described a cooperative approach between the EDC and the Kennedale Chamber of Commerce to support marketing and training for local businesses, including lunch-and-learn events and a dining/shopping local guide. The consultant emphasized building a reliable contact database so the EDC and Chamber can communicate more effectively with businesses and promote available grants and support programs.

Board members thanked CP2 and noted that the Kennedale Chamber was contributing staff time to partnership efforts. Petty said ongoing outreach, a revamped chamber calendar and targeted events should make grant and resource opportunities more visible to business owners.

Ending note: the Business Connection luncheon is scheduled for the week following the July 22 meeting; staff and CP2 will continue outreach and website work ahead of that event.