Located at the edge of the Piney Woods in East Texas, Huntsville has historically been recognized as the face of the Texas Criminal Justice system. Huntsville’s community and business leadership recognize that the community lies directly in the path of growth, thus bringing with it both great opportunities and challenges. Therefore, the city retained KKC to develop its Comprehensive Plan and associated Economic Development Strategy. Based on analysis of trends affecting economic development opportunities in Huntsville, several goals for leveraging Huntsville’s key assets framed a strategic program of actions. These actions include:
- Forging a strategic relationship with Sam Houston State University (SHSU) to promote economic development opportunities in Huntsville by leveraging the presence of the university and its continued growth in enrollment.
- Increasing the Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s local impact through expanding economic development opportunities in Huntsville.
- Transforming Huntsville’s downtown into a vibrant “university village.”
- Supporting the retention and expansion of existing businesses in Huntsville.
- Increasing the range of housing opportunities in Huntsville.
- Promoting the development of a business park to make Huntsville more competitive in the recruitment of new businesses.
