Susan, an EDC staff member, told the Economic Development Corporation that interest from restaurant prospects brought forward by the EDC's retail coach remains strong and that the coach will pursue meetings at the upcoming ICSC Las Vegas trade event.

The update matters because recruiting restaurants and retail affects local commercial vacancies, sales tax base and site planning along the Highway 110 corridor. Staff said several prospects are in a holding pattern awaiting later quarters and that the coach is lining up meetings at industry trade events.

Susan said the retail coach has "several appointments lined up specifically for White House at the ICSC Las Vegas" and that one hotel has asked to meet with the coach in Las Vegas. She added that some prospects are regional restaurant chains whose real estate processes move slowly, which can delay commitments.

On site preferences, staff said most businesses looking at Whitehouse prefer locations on Highway 110 and that available land there is limited. Susan said the EDC has engaged local property owners about ground-lease options and is trying to match prospects with property owners who are open to ground leases.

Board members asked whether prospects prefer locations between the Four Corners and Tyler or would consider sites farther south; staff said the strong preference is north toward Tyler and that prime parcels include areas such as the commercial node where a donut shop currently sits.

Susan said she would have more detailed prospect updates after a scheduled meeting with the retail coach later in the week and after the ICSC event.

The board did not take formal action on the retail recruitment update and asked staff to report back with follow-up details and any specific property matches.