Balch Springs EDC approves one-year Chamber contract to revive business-retention visits

The Balch Springs Community and Economic Development Corporation (Type B) voted to authorize a one-year contract with the Balch Springs Chamber of Commerce for marketing and partnership services, approving up to $5,500 for fiscal year 2025–26.

Economic development staff told the board the agreement would re-establish regular business visitations, update and maintain a target-employer list and provide quarterly reporting to the board. “Before you is a contract with the Balch Springs Chamber of Commerce, regarding marketing and partnership opportunities,” staff said in presenting the proposal. Staff said the chamber will lead initial outreach and coordination with city departments during visits.

The chamber’s representative urged the board to reinstate the BRE program, citing a case study of a local business that relocated after an ownership change and estimating substantial local economic losses when employers leave. “If we don’t do this, … we potentially losing millions of dollars by not keeping them here,” the chamber representative said, outlining lost payroll, vendor spending and tax revenue figures tied to one company’s departure.

Board members pressed for metrics and currency of the target list; staff answered that the list had been updated and that success indicators include preventing businesses from leaving, facilitating local expansions and identifying firms within targeted economic-development areas. The city attorney advised that the expenditure is permissible under the board’s advertising-and-promotion allocation.

Christopher Watson moved to approve the chamber contract, Helen Shelby seconded, and the board voted unanimously to pass the motion. The agreement is structured as an annual contract, the staff said, and would return to the board for review and event-specific approvals as needed.