Economic Development City of Watauga

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1 Economic Development City of Watauga Dear Business Owner: First, let me thank you for choosing the City of Watauga for your business location. We appreciate your investment in the community. To help your business grow and remain successful, we have accumulated several free tools and opportunities to market and enhance your presence in our community. Here is a brief overview of what is now available for Watauga Businesses: Let us help you plan your Grand Opening Event, promote new business to all City employees, and officially welcome you to our residents! Inclusion in our New Resident Packets Watauga Business Listing (groups businesses by type and lists them with name, address, and phone number) and our Welcome to Watauga Coupon Sheet (special deals to help introduce new residents to local businesses) Inclusion in our SHOPS QA Program ( allowing each site to have its own microsite in an online searchable database. Owners are able to edit their site including services offered, hours of operation, specials, job openings, volunteer opportunities, pictures and video, and links to corporate/social networking sites. You will also be included in Yahoo Maps and have access to Google Analytics. (You MUST register yourself as an authorized user to make any changes to your microsite. Please contact Gena Camacho by phone or for directions.) Inclusion in our SKEDS Program ( which not only brings coupons to residents, but also provides businesses with another site to create exposure (and improve those Google ratings) for their business. Opportunities to Partner with City Departments to increase exposure at City events and programs. Shop Local Initiative Programs will be promoted twice a year at Tax Free Weekend, and during the Holiday Season to encourage local shopping. The Business Spotlight of the Month in our City Newsletter, Cable Channel, and Website highlighting one business and its unique services. I am also working on several additional future projects including training opportunities/resources for you and your staff, networking opportunities, and ways to increase communication between the business community and the City government. I encourage each of you to contact me if you have any further questions, concerns, ideas, or suggestions. Thank you again, and I look forward to working with you in the future! Sincerely, Genesa Camacho Community Development Coordinator City of Watauga / gcamacho@cowtx.org Gena Camacho, Community Development Coordinator Mailing Address: 7105 City of Watauga. Watauga, TX Fax: / Phone: gcamacho@cowtx.org

2 Economic Development City of Watauga Want to take full advantage of the Free Economic Development Programs the City of Watauga has to offer? Please complete this form and tell us a little bit more about your business. Name: Business: Phone: I am interested in the following (Please Check all that apply) Note: All programs are FREE to local businesses New Resident/Current Resident Printable Business Listing SKEDS Program New Resident/ Welcome To Watauga Coupon Sheet SHOPS Q/A Program * Offering Support/ Goods for City Fundraisers/Events Shop Local Initiative Program Business Spotlight of the Month Future Training Programs Networking Opportunities Would you like assistance in planning a Grand Opening Event? * Participation in the SHOPS QA Program will require you to register yourself as an authorized user for your business. To Register Yourself for SHOPS QA: 1. Go to and click on Register Your Business 2. Complete and submit the information forms. (This will send us an with your request for approval) 3. Once you ve received your Approved , you are ready to Edit Your Business. If you need assistance with Editing your Site, please contact Gena to arrange training. Please Return Completed Form to : Gena Camacho, Community Development Coordinator Mailing Address: 7105 City of Watauga. Watauga, TX Fax: / Phone: gcamacho@cowtx.org

3 What is the SHOPS QA Program? SHOPS QA is a free opportunity for local businesses to be included in our online searchable database. Registra on is required, but is usually completed within a day. Businesses choose the appropriate Search Category and can then customize their personal micro site with informa on on loca on, contact informa on, services, hours, job opportuni es, volunteer opportuni es, coupons, reviews, and links to other social networking and corporate sites. Accompanying files can be uploaded as well. The main Shop Watauga page will allow users to search by category and then see each choice mapped out for them before selec ng a business they would like to learn more about. Businesses with New Lis ngs and Sales can receive special dis nc on on the list. SHOPS QA is promoted on the City s website, Newsle er, and other print adver sements. In addi on, it is heavily promoted in our two Shop Local Ini a ves (August and November December) and is just one more tool to connect you with residents. Learn how to sign up by contac ng Gena Camacho at: or gcamacho@cowtx.org.

4 We have an amazing new business opportunity for you! SHOP WATAUGA! (Brought to you by the City of Watauga and SKEDS) Quick Breakdown: The City of Watauga will have a Shop Watauga site on SKEDS to promote, develop, and increase local business in Watauga. Participating businesses will offer discounts and promotional deals (set up in coupon format) on the Shop Watauga site. Participating businesses will have individual pages to provide additional information on their business (hours, location, description, etc). We will promote the Shop Watauga website in our printed and online media as well as at city events. Member businesses will be given decals to display in their store to promote the website. The SKEDS software is user friendly and easy to maintain by businesses. The best part? Shop Watauga is a FREE program to all participating businesses. For more information on the Shop Watauga program, please contact: Gena Camacho: (gcamacho@cowtx.org). For more information on SKEDS services and programs check out:

5 BUSINESS RESOURCE GUIDE Business Assistance Programs: City of Watauga Community Development: Office Hours: Contact: Genesa Camacho Includes being a part of City Business Spotlight (monthly), Shop Local online programs and initiatives, and inclusion in our New Resident Packets. SCORE Counselors to Small Businesses: By appointment at North Richland Hills Library (9015 Grand Avenue, NRH) or at the Main Office in Fort Worth (Address here) Small Business Administration: Amon Carter Blvd. Fort Worth, TX Free online services, training, and resources for small businesses. Lending for small businesses available. Business.Gov Official business link to the United States Government Certificate of Occupancy: City of Watauga Public Works: ( Contact: Patricia Rodriguez

6 City of Watauga Offices: City of Watauga City Hall: Includes Administration, Human Resources, Municipal Court, Utility Billing, and Finance Offices 7105 Whitley Road City of Watauga Fire Department: Hightower Main Office Hours: City of Watauga Police Department: Whitley Road Main Office Hours: Animal Control Center: Watauga Road City of Watauga Public Library: Includes Books, Computers, Video/Media Resources, Training Programs, Book Clubs, and Activities for adults, youth, and families 7101 Whitley Road Monday/Thursday: 12:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. Tuesday/Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. Friday/Saturday: 9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. (Closed Sundays and Major Holidays) City of Watauga Public Works & Community Development: Includes Code Enforcement, Economic Development, Fleet & Maintenance, Inspections, Permits, Planning & Zoning, Street & Storm Drain, and Water Utility City of Watauga Recreation Center: Includes Community/Fitness Center, Parks & Facilities, Athletic Programs, Fitness Programs, and Special Community Events 7901 Indian Springs Office Hours: Monday Fridays, 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. (Closed Major Holidays) Community Center Hours: Monday Thursday, 6:00 a.m. 9:00 p.m. Friday: 6:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Saturday: 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. (Closed Major Holidays)

7 Copyrighting/Trademarking: United States Copyright Office: Corporate Certificate/Incorporate Your Business Secretary of State: Permits, Ordinances, & Inspections: City of Watauga Public Works: (Permits, Ordinances, Certificates of Occupancy) Contact: Andrea Ford Tarrant County (Health Permits & Inspections) 100 E. Weatherford Street Contact: Jay Dickenson City of Watauga Fire Inspector 5909 Hightower Dr. Monday Friday, 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. (By appointment otherwise) Contact: Randy Barkley Comptroller of Public Accounts, Susan Combs (Sales Tax/Franchise Tax Permit) (Sales and Use Tax) (Franchise Tax) Field Offices: Taxpayer Services and Collections 4040 Fossil Creek Blvd., Suite 100 Fort Worth, Texas (817) Audit Office Crosslands Plaza 6320 Southwest Blvd., Suite 201 Fort Worth, Texas (817)

8 Register a Business Name: (Also called Assumed Names ) Tarrant County Clerk, Assumed Names: Taylor Street, Suite301 Fort Worth, TX Office Hours: Tax Information for a Business Internal Revenue Service: Obtain a Federal Employers Identification Number, find small business start up information; link to state information on permits, taxes, resource websites. Workforce Development: Recruitment, Retention, Training Texas Workforce Commission (Tarrant County Office): Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County Mid-Cities Workforce Center 7001 Boulevard 26 North Richland Hills, TX Main website: (Work In Texas) Tarrant County College (Continuing Education): Various Locations: Northeast Campus (Hurst), Northwest (Lake Worth), South Campus (Fort Worth), Southeast Campus (Arlington), Trinity River Campus (Fort Worth) Office Hours: Monday Friday 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. (Closed Major Holidays) Zoning Restrictions for New Businesses: City of Watauga Public Works: ( Contact: Patricia Rodriguez