Marshall, Texas, is building a winning team for economic development.
City and county leaders, business owners and community stakeholders, including Southwestern Electric Power Company, are working together to increase prosperity and opportunities for this East Texas city that boasts a vibrant downtown, four higher learning institutions and a growing portfolio of development ready sites. That collaboration was centerfield March 7 at a baseball-themed Economic Summit Leadership Conference hosted by the Marshall Economic Development Corporation.
Eric Basinger, manager, Economic and Business Development at American Electric Power, SWEPCO’s parent company, was among the industry experts offering insight on economic tools and trends. Basinger – who works closely with communities to optimize their chance of securing large development projects – discussed current market trends and the types of industrial businesses looking within SWEPCO’s footprint. He also talked about site development and how communities like Marshall can make industrial sites attractive to prospective businesses.
Basinger said much like in baseball – which has multiple players each with their own unique role contributing to a win – economic development is a team effort.
“One person is not going to be responsible for landing an industrial or manufacturing project,” he said. “The reality is that economic development is very much a team game, and Marshall has all the major components – education, city, county and chamber – pushing in the same direction to land those big wins.”
Eric Basinger, manager of Economic and Business Development at American Electri Power, SWEPCO's parent company, was among the industry experts offering insight on economic tools and trends at the 2024 Economic Summit Leadership Conference hosted by Marshall Economic Development Corporation in March.
Rush Harris, executive director of the Marshall Economic Development Corporation, said team building has been his focus since taking the helm in 2020.
“If we are truly vested in solving the real issues for the future of our community and our region, we must play well together,” Harris said. “That’s what teams do. That’s how we win.”
He said this year’s theme Spring Training: Building Together. Winning Together highlighted what the Marshall community can achieve together.
“There are few people as knowledgeable as Eric with current business trends and site consultant interactions,” Harris said. “He is a champion for Marshall and all the communities he serves. He brings skilled advice and boots on the ground experience to help communities that want to help themselves. I know I can always expect honest feedback and encouragement, win, or lose.”
Basinger said the Economic Summit is a unique opportunity that allows community stakeholders to build relationships that can help Marshall continue to grow and thrive economically in the future.
“Marshall has a lot of potential to grow, and that potential can help SWEPCO grow,” he said. “New businesses and industry here bring both business and residential customers to our door.”
He said the city has a lot of qualities that put it on the radar of companies such as Prysmian Group, which invested $50 million to expand its electric utility cable manufacturing plant. The city is home to a vibrant historical downtown and has deep roots in fine arts and culture, making it an attractive place to live. It’s centrally located near two major thoroughfares and home to four higher learning institutions that offer demand-driven skills and workforce development training. It also houses the Marshall Business Park, 250 acres of industrial real estate ready for development.
“All these are key ingredients that contribute to economic wins, and I’m looking forward to seeing more good things from Marshall in the future,” Basinger said.
LEARN MORE
- Discover more about AEP’s economic development efforts here.
- Become a champion for economic development by taking our FREE e-learning course for community leaders here.