Mansfield EDC approves updated strategic plan emphasizing higher education, creative industries

The Mansfield Economic Development Corporation board voted unanimously to recommend an updated strategic plan that adds higher education and creative industries to the city’s target sectors and sets goals through 2029.

Jason, an EDC staff member, introduced the plan and asked Rachel to present a visually oriented version sent in advance to board members. "We added higher education in there and a large focus on that, as well as creative industries like media and digital arts," Rachel said as she scrolled through the document and highlighted target industries, five strategic goals and an implementation timeline with milestones through 2029.

Rachel said the plan will be posted on the city website and submitted to the comptroller after board approval; the document must be refreshed every two years to maintain compliance for jurisdictions that use tax abatements. Jason told the board the tax‑abatement policy that attaches to the plan is not changing but must be filed: "The State of Texas requires that a tax abatement policy ... has to be adopted every two years," he said.

Board members praised the plan’s visuals and the extended timeline. One asked whether a Phase 1 opening on the Link corridor was already open; staff clarified the corridor covers multiple projects from the Courtyard Marriott to Heritage Office Park and some elements have been delayed, with timelines to be updated as agreements change.

The Chair called for a motion to approve item 25‑11‑11. A member moved, another seconded, and the board approved the plan by voice vote with no opposition. The recommendation will be forwarded to city council along with the existing tax‑abatement exhibit for council consideration and state filing.