Karnes County is realizing the fruit of its labor and the local economy is already seeing impact from several economic development projects, local officials are saying.

With the January 4 official breaking of ground for the Wal-Mart expansion project, interest levels are high and local vendors and motels already are seeing increased business from the contractors’ presence in the county, according to Karnes County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Terry Trevino.

Trevino has spent the last several years putting together incentive packages, doing marketing research, compiling traffic data, and writing businesses about the opportunities available in this area.

Businesses and individuals are taking notice now more than ever, especially after the big Wal-Mart project officially kicked off.

"We have so many things that have sold or are under contract on (U.S. Highway) 181. There are different businesses along 181 that have sold for marketing purposes and for people to recruit industries in because of the one development project," Trevino said. "Right now we do have a letter of intent on the table and we will be meeting with a group of people from the county. We do have a really good big possibility that we might have another future development, but just like everything else, we have to talk about it and see if it’s going to meet the needs of the community."

Most of the work economic development officials do is very behind-the-scenes. Often times, the big news isn’t announced until it’s signed, sealed, and good to go. The competitive nature of the business industry keeps it that way.

2006 has been a good year for economic activity in Karnes County. The Wal-Mart deal has come through as the top news, but many other events during the year have contributed to cities and communities across the county.

Economic development officials responded to around 15 prospective big business deals last year that contained an estimated 1,400 potential jobs. They currently have four active major projects and estimate those will bring around 400 jobs all on their own.

Workers also assisted five small businesses in the county during 2006 with business startup, sale and liquidation, purchasing additional property, marketing strategies, and tax abatement.

Allowing a business the incentive of not having to pay property taxes on their upgrades for a few years is one of the tools economic development officials use to offer incentive to local and out-of-county businesses.

Lower costs mean more opportunities to expand and make a go of fresh ideas, and the EDC’s aim is to help existing businesses achieve that when expanding.

"The focus overall is not one specific thing, but it’s how the ripple effect of improving quality of life will be. Eventually, all of the sales tax and the state tax and the city tax … improve roads, improve water, improve infrastructure, (and) increase salary in the area. It’s all a ripple effect," Trevino explained.

2007 is a year of possibilities, according to her.

"I think we’ll soon see small things like veterinary clinics, to shopping centers, to small retail developments. I think 2007 is going to bring a lot of construction," she said. "Some people can say, ‘well, it’s not up yet and we’re not seeing anything,’ but we are. The hotels are full with contractors, they’re shopping in the area, (and) they’re buying gas. You’re already seeing the impact of economic development. It starts at the turn of dirt. We have people coming in that are noticing the area and are making investments."

She even voiced concern over keeping the rate of growth down so as not to burden the local community with too much demand on their infrastructure all at once.

Kenedy has made major additions to their infrastructure in recent years and Wal-Mart is sharing in part of the cost the city will incur bringing water, sewer, and roads to the building.

Not all coming businesses will be willing to go that far, though, and Trevino said community infrastructure upgrades will be a major focus throughout 2007 as the county prepares for the coming economic improvements.

The Karnes County Economic Development Corporation is a non-profit organization that relies on contributions from governmental entities, businesses and individuals to fund their ongoing efforts. Contributions are especially needed now, economic development officials said. For more information on how to get involved, or make a contribution, call (830) 534-2777 or (830) 583-3957.