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shepherd development applications through the process, troubleshoot <br />problems on the applicant’s behalf, coordinate tax abatement requests <br />with the county, and lead the applicant in the direction of other <br />assistance. This person should be the Economic Development <br />Coordinator/Business Ombudsman. <br />5)Maintain links to the current digest of local, state, and federal economic <br />development programs on the City’s website. The Economic <br />Development Coordinator should be fully abreast of all non-local <br />economic incentives and should act as a liaison for businesses interested <br />in using these incentives as part of a location or relocation package to La <br />Porte. <br />6)Consider adopting local tax abatement provisions for commercial <br />construction registered with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental <br />Design (LEED®), or other similar programs. This would include partial tax <br />abatement for the incremental investment associated with obtaining <br />such certification. While the City does not have any certified LEED <br />10 <br />projects, nearby City of Houston has 165 certified projects. Any private <br />sector projects utilizing this incentive should agree to their involvement <br />in marketing the community and the program. <br />7)Mobilize top government officials and business leaders as welcoming <br />committees for promising businesses, site selectors, and selected <br />developers. <br />8)Continue to periodically research and keep abreast of the latest state <br />and federal economic incentives (including grants) so that the City can <br />expand the toolkit (see inset next page) in the most efficient and cost <br />effective manner possible. <br />9)Continue to conduct regular business outreach to understand the plans <br />and needs of area businesses and to troubleshoot potential problems. <br />10)Continue use of the industrial payments (the Community Investment <br />Fund) for economic development, community beautification, and <br />revitalization programs, rather than supplementing the general fund. <br />11)Continue to use the Hotel/Motel Fund for projects that encourage <br />visitors to the City. This includes Main Street revitalization efforts; the <br />creation, promotion, and sponsorship of festivals and events; print, <br />Internet, and broadcast advertising; membership dues for the Bay Area <br />Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau; directional and historical (i.e., <br />wayfinding) signage; and projects that enhance the City’s image to out- <br />11 <br />of-town visitors. This also includes continued funding for staff positions <br />dedicated to economic development. <br /> <br />10 <br /> Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) Certified Project Directory. January 31, <br />2012. <br />11 <br /> City of La Porte, Texas Annual Budget for Fiscal Year 2011-2012 (October 1 – <br />September 30). <br />5.9 <br /> <br />Economic <br />2. <br />9 Adopted July 20, 2009 <br />Dlt <br /> <br />