Beverly Abel, manager of Downtown Development, and Kim Buttram, director of economic development, briefed the Mesquite City Council on July 21 with a quarterly update that highlighted downtown progress, tourism gains and several recent industrial and hospitality announcements.

Why it matters: The report shows measurable economic activity downtown — property sales, façade work, volunteer time and rising digital engagement — and signals the city’s economic team is aligning marketing, business counseling and public‑space investments to attract visitors and new employers.

Key takeaways:
- Downtown indicators: Abel said downtown valuation rose 16% year over year, with about $15 million in reinvestment since the Main Street program began tracking projects. Volunteers contributed over 4,000 hours (valued at approximately $135,000), the program won statewide and national awards, and digital engagement increased sharply (Abel cited a 217% year‑over‑year digital engagement increase for a heritage plaza specialist).
- Farmers Market: Attendance was up in 2024 (about 20,000 visits); dwell time averaged roughly 66–67 minutes. Abel noted the market draws a demographically representative cross section of Mesquite residents and that fall market days typically produce the largest spikes in visits.
- Tourism and CVB: Visit Mesquite reported higher digital followings (1,200 new Facebook followers and a 4,000‑follower gain on Instagram) and higher rodeo attendance; the Mesquite Championship Rodeo opening weekend paired with Smokin’ Saddles festival produced a 40% year‑over‑year increase in attendance, and rodeo season brought nearly 27,000 attendees across events.
- Business recruitment and projects: Highlights included a 175,000‑square‑foot Rainstamp facility, a 200‑million‑dollar Hytheum Energy Storage facility (applicant called it a major clean‑energy investment) that brought an estimated 200 jobs, a Camping World ground‑breaking and an analysis contract from Hunden Partners to examine market demand and feasibility in six areas of town.

Programs and outreach: Staff described upcoming cohorts (for example, a restaurant‑opening cohort led by a local mentor), small‑business workshops, youth engagement efforts (Project Lead and a new youth advisory board) and a Mesquite Taco Trail campaign timed to Hispanic Heritage Month to promote local restaurants as part of destination marketing.

Council reaction and next steps: Council members praised the downtown Main Street program’s volunteer model and outreach; staff said they would continue to forward metrics and return with individual project updates, property negotiations and downtown façade and leasing activity as deals progress.

Ending note: Abel said Mesquite is now the only nationally and state‑accredited Main Street program in Dallas County and that downtown efforts have moved the program from early catalyst phase to a growth phase of revitalization.