The Center for Border Economic Studies at the University of Texas-Pan American is assisting the San Benito Industrial Development Authority to develop a Strategic Plan for Economic Development which will help San Benito envision its future and develop the necessary procedures and operations to achieve that future.

 With the development of a Strategic Plan for Economic Development, the City will be able to focus its efforts in recruiting new businesses, strengthening existing businesses, and promoting entrepreneurship in the City.  This will help in creating more jobs and more wealth for its people.

 Specifically the program:

·      Develop a Strategic Plan for Economic Development:  CBEST (UTPA) will assist in the development of a strategic plan for economic development with a special focus on the economic development of the Central Business District.  This process will follow the five steps of strategic planning, namely:

o       Initiating and Organizing the Process

o       Analyzing the Community’s Situation

o       Formulating the Plan

o       Implementing the Plan

o       Evaluating the Process

Public Participation will be sought in the entire process so that the local community can be empowered and involved in the economic development of the city.  The assets and needs of the city will be analyzed and steps will be taken to build upon the assets. With the collaboration of three groups, the San Benito IDA, the San Benito Chamber of Commerce and the City of San Benito, the implementation of the strategic plan will be facilitated in an efficient manner by defining the roles of each organization in the process. Tasks and responsibilities will be assigned to each group and monitored with updates to ensure effectiveness.

·      Conduct a Community Needs Assessment Survey: CBEST, with assistance from San Benito IDA will conduct a community needs assessment survey to find out what kinds of businesses do the people want in the city.  The survey will be conducted in the City of San Benito to see what types of businesses and other facilities the people of the city would like to see.  The community needs assessment survey form will be developed by CBEST staff with input from San Benito IDA.  Households will be surveyed and results will be tabulated and reported by CBEST.  These results will help the decision makers in pursuing certain franchises/businesses to move into San Benito.