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Hollywood Park EDC debates wording, format and budget for 'EDC Hotspot' introductory piece in the Sparks
Summary
The EDC discussed a draft introductory article for the Sparks newspaper to introduce the board and its goals, debated wording around mission and calls to action, proposed a standard inquiry form and routing for the EDC email, and noted budget lines for possible ad placement. The board agreed to bring a funding request back as an action item.
Board members discussed a draft introduction to the community that the Hollywood Park Economic Development Corporation hopes to publish in the Sparks newspaper. Brian Budnick, who said he drafted the piece with the intergovernmental committee, asked the board for feedback on wording, title and placement.
Several members suggested wording changes to avoid overstating services or promising specific grants. One board member urged replacing phrasing that said the EDC “works with businesses” with the less committal “serves as a resource to the businesses,” to avoid implying guaranteed outcomes. Members also recommended language clarifying that the EDC can “partner to provide financial assistance” rather than promising direct grants. The group debated stronger vs. softer calls to action for residents to patronize local businesses; members favored “urging” or similar language rather than “pushing.”
Title suggestions included “Hollywood Park EDC Hotspot” (decided as two words) and “Hollywood Park EDC Herald.” Members proposed using a generic EDC email box routed to the EDC president and the mayor; the board requested staff determine who currently receives messages sent to edc@hollywoodpark (a website account) and route incoming inquiries to the EDC president and executive director. Committee members also asked for a standardized inquiry form to capture business name, contact and a brief description of the request.
On funding, board members noted the EDC budget includes $7,700 for local business outreach and $5,300 for strategic marketing. Board members discussed cost uncertainty for a Sparks placement and whether to hold a special meeting to approve payment if the paper’s deadline required faster action. One person stated, “I move we allocate $500 for placement of the…article,” but the chair clarified the item was discussion-only and that any allocation would require an action item on a future agenda or a special meeting to approve.
The board agreed the item would return as an action item after the author (Brian) confirms deadlines and pricing with the Sparks staff. The EDC will draft a standardized intake form and identify routing for the edc@hollywoodparktexas.gov mailbox before the next meeting.
Votes at a glance: No vote was taken on ad placement or on approving the draft; members made a motion to allocate $500 but the chair ruled no action could be taken that night and the item was set to return for a future vote.
