Themes of partnerships, preparation and innovation loomed large during Wednesday’s Cleburne Chamber of Commerce’s quarterly luncheon.
Dubbed “Federal to City: A Community Conversation,” the event included U.S. Rep. Roger Williams, R-Austin, Johnson County Commissioner Larry Woolley and Cleburne Mayor Scott Cain. State Rep. Helen Kerwin, R-Granbury, had planned to attend but was detained on state business in Austin.
The goal of the presentation, Chamber President Tracy Thomas said, was to update attendees on city, county and federal happenings as well as projects and initiatives in the works.
“This is a new format for us,” Chamber Board Chairman John Hardin said. “It’s one we hope you all will benefit from. Possibilities are endless when we all work together.”
Williams, Woolley and Cain fielded questions posed by Hardin. No audience questions were taken.
Hardin asked about efforts on the parts of the three, at their respective levels of government, to support small businesses.
“It’s important because 99% of businesses in America are small businesses,” Williams said. “Also, 75% of the workforce and payroll is generated by Main Street America.”
Main Street America that is business in general including small businesses, are in the best shape they’ve been in years, Williams said.
“Because we passed a little thing called the Big Beautiful Bill,” Williams said. “That’s done unbelievable things for Main Street.”
Such benefits, Williams said, include making tax cuts permanent and cutting regulations among other changes, Williams said.
“If you’re a community banker, or a borrower, you know that banks were strangled with regulations,” Williams said. “We’ve cut regulations tremendously.”
Changes, Williams said, that should increase competition, access to capital and other necessities of economic growth and opportunity.
“In county government we pride ourselves on limited government,” Woolley answered in reply to the same question. “There’s very little red tape for businesses in unincorporated county areas. No impact fees and the only permit fees would be some kind of new construction.”
Cain cited facade and other city grants available to help restore and repair downtown area buildings and efforts to simplify the city’s permitting process.
“A lot of times when you interact with a city you have to go here, go there, get bounced around,” Cain said. “We’re planning to convert [a bank building the city purchased years ago] into a one-stop shop. When you need to pull permits or do business with the city you’ve got one place to go and we can all collaborate. We can work together to speed up the process because we know time is money.”
Hardin asked how the three are working to help the economy remain strong.
“Politics is local and less government is the best government,” Williams said. “Cutting regulations creates competition, creates entrepreneurship, brings more opportunity for risks and rewards. Because, when you give more power to the individual, you’ve got more opportunity, more cash flow and the ability to create more jobs.”
Cain that although the joke used to characterize Cleburne as “80 years of tradition unhampered by progress” investments in infrastructure and other programs undertaken during his 14 year tenure have prepared Cleburne for the challenges of growth.
Woolley talked of county growth, which has tripled since he moved to Grandview in 1982, and steps taken by the Johnson County Commissioners Court to prepare for that influx.
“We’ve made substantial investments in our law enforcement officers,” Woolley said. “Raised salaries so we’re now competitive and not a training ground anymore. We’ve invested to make sure this county is a safe and secure place to live and work.”
Woolley talked of Johnson County’s prime placement for living and business.
“An hour from two major airports,” Woolley said. “Thirty minutes from downtown Fort Worth, which is now the fourth largest city in the state.
“We’re one of the nine fastest growing counties in Texas. If that’s not good for small business start ups I can’t imagine what would make it any better.”
A $60 million bond approved by voters in November, Woolley said, will help fund numerous transportation projects to improve mobility and safety.
Cain reiterated the importance of partnerships and praised efforts on the parts of the cities, county, state and federal officials working together.
“Those partnerships bring a common, unified voice within the county,” Cain said. “That carries a lot of weight with state and federal officials.”
Cain and Woolley discussed projects and initiatives completed, underway and in the planning to ensure ample water supplies for the decades ahead.
Cleburne officials, among other projects, recently completed a major expansion of the city’s wastewater treatment plant. Cain touted Cleburne’s “pioneering efforts” in the area of capturing reuse water and said Cleburne is in great shape water wise.
“A lot better shape than some other parts of our great state,” Cain said.
Williams bemoaned the lack of business people in politics and called for more participation either through running for office, volunteering for committees or supporting business people who do. Cain and Woolley echoed Williams’ call for civic involvement and dialog with local officials.
“County and city government is government closest to the people,” Woolley said. “We’re very available. Don’t go to social media. That doesn’t accomplish anything but heartburn. We’re in the community. Find us, call us.”