Mineola, a quaint town with a strong community heartbeat, is poised for growth and change.

“We are in a very good position. We have to be patient and work together,” states Mercy Rushing, Mineola city manager.

Rushing has a “build it and they will come” philosophy. Years ago, Mineola put its half-cent sales tax into downtown development and has seen the rewards of that decision. 

Downtown has a 90% occupancy rate and has been in the Texas Main Street Program for 30 years. Mineola is also on the National Register of Historic Places worthy of preservation. 

The historical aspect of Mineola continues to expand tourism in Wood County. Additionally, Mineola has several things that aren’t too often seen in an area of smaller population, such as an orchestra, a theater, the Nature Preserve and the League of the Arts, that draw people to the town. 

The goal now is to get infrastructure in place on Loop 564, where Rushing believes the biggest growth in industry will be.

She is looking for grants to begin the work and ultimately draw in businesses and industry. 

“If we build infrastructure - water, gas, sewer, telecommunications - they’ll come,” insists Rushing.

While it can sometimes take up to five years to get industry in and established, Rushing points out that the completion of Toll 49 between Lindale and Mineola has helped bring focus onto Mineola. 

“I think we’ll see Lindale booming, and if our school will continue to go in the direction that it should grow with CTE (career and technical education), you’re going to see development in Mineola,” predicts Rushing.

“If we can grow Mineola ISD, Mineola will grow,” she adds.

Historically, schools and cities grow together, and while growth may seem slow at a rate of 3-5% per year, it is sustaining itself. The increased sales tax reflects that Mineola is doing something right.

In the coming year, Rushing is hoping to see a couple of big franchises come in that are different from what Mineola already has. She is also expecting more small businesses and a surge of residential development in the MISD area. 

Housing developers have been coming from larger areas to scope out property, and already-established neighborhoods such as Rosehill, Greystone and Tuscany Park are expanding as well.  

The game plan for Mineola is to be diversified by continuing progress in residential, commercial and industrial expansion, and increasing the quality of life for its residents.