Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Business Retention Wellness First topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
EDC approves development agreement to aid Wellness First Medical Clinic access and retain seven jobs
Summary
The Dickinson EDC approved a development agreement intended to help Wellness First Medical Clinic improve access after TxDOT median work, retaining three positions and adding four; board described the action as a business retention initiative.
The Dickinson Economic Development Corporation voted to enter into a development agreement with Wellness First Medical Clinic to address access problems caused by TxDOT medians on State Highway 517 and to support job retention and modest job growth at the clinic.
Staff and board members said the clinic had lost business because elderly patients had difficulty reaching the facility after median changes. The performance agreement cited job retention of three positions and creation of four new positions — a net total of seven jobs retained or created as a result of the project.
The board discussed property ownership and lien placement; staff explained the property is recorded under a business or property owner name (listed in the packet) and that any lien under the performance agreement would be placed against the property as listed. Staff said the doctor who operates Wellness First, identified in the meeting as Dr. Sanders, is the managing partner and owner of the property and of the business entity referenced in the contract materials.
A number of public speakers questioned whether incentives or site improvements constituted inappropriate giveaways. Board members and staff replied that the EDC’s charter includes business retention and job retention initiatives and that the proposed assistance is intended to enable continued operations and modest expansion of an existing local business.
The board approved the agreement by voice vote. The transcript records no detailed dollar amount tied to the agreement in the public discussion; staff identified the action as funded from the EDC’s business retention line item but did not state a specific dollar figure in the recorded discussion.
Staff will proceed with contract execution and will provide supplemental documentation if requested by the board or by members of the public.
