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<br />Section 2: Strategic Plan <br /> <br />This strategy was designed to address what is needed to generate sustained prosperity for La <br />Porte through economic diversification and improvements in quality of life. <br /> <br />Core Themes <br /> <br />During the planning process, a number of themes emerged from discussions with <br />stakeholders, economic analysis, input obtained from the community survey, and the SWOT <br />analysis. Avalanche has grouped these major themes into broad categorize that capture the <br />essence of where the City of La Porte should focus its economic development energy in the <br />coming years. <br /> <br />· Over half the employment base in La Porte (51.9%) is in the production sectors of <br />manufacturing and construction, a much greater concentration than neighboring <br />communities, Houston (17.2%), and the state as a whole (15.9%). La Porte's <br />proximity to the Port of Houston and transportation infrastructure should enable future <br />growth in the warehousing sector as well. While these sectors provide some counter- <br />cyclical benefit, little new job growth is expected in the near future. <br /> <br />· La Porte's location within Greater Houston is a blessing, and Houston area residents <br />should be a primary target audience for economic development. By the same token, <br />La Porte has a number of unique assets (such as Sylvan Beach) that help it stand out <br />within the region and the state. <br /> <br />· The community appears primed to support economic development. When asked as <br />part of the community survey if they supported the statement that economic <br />development success is defined as "Enhanced prosperity and quality of life for La <br />Porte," 4 out of 5 respondents said "yes." <br /> <br />· Unlike some communities that are struggling to revive their economies, La Porte is in <br />an enviable position. A strong industrial base generates jobs and healthy tax revenue <br />for the city. Despite recent fluctuations, the oil and gas sector will remain the dominant <br />force in the La Porte economy. The challenge is to diversify in order to maximize the <br />community's economic potential. <br /> <br />· Downtown is a priority for near-term action. The downtown area has the potential to <br />be a focal point for the community, both in terms of the day-to-day lives of local <br />residents and as a significant element of the attractions that make La Porte appealing <br />to both tourists and those relocating to the area. <br /> <br />· Expanding the recreational and retail capacity of the community will serve both <br />residents and tourists. In La Porte, entertainment, retail trade, and enhanced tourism <br />amenities are valid targets for economic development. As an example, a destination <br /> <br />Forward La Porte Economic Development Strategic Plan I 2009-2013 <br />