The Wood County Economic Development Commission conducted the monthly board meeting last week at the Northeast Texas Prairie Restoration classroom in Yantis. Appropriately, they identified two new possibilities for continued development in the county: the Bassmasters Elite Series tournaments and the planting of pollinator pocket gardens.

It was discussed that Wood County was an ideal location for becoming a national showpiece of the Elite series, which is kayak-based fishing, and pollinator gardens. The county already has a relationship with Bassmasters which would facilitate hosting of Elite Series tourneys. Additionally the success of the native prairie restoration efforts of Julie Mattox in Yantis and Kelli and Karl Ebel of Sulphur Bluff in neighboring Hopkins County are becoming nationally known. 

The commission approved a $5,000 expenditure to move forward in securing an Elite Series event. Board chairman Tom Kennan stated, “This is a great opportunity to generate economic activity built around a sport.”

In addition to these discussions, the commission approved (with one abstention) the 2024-25 Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) Grant Fund requests for submission to county commissioners. The proposal includes 27 benefactors and totals $150,000. The request has already been included in the annual budget and will be made public once it is acted upon by the court.

Executive Director Christine Thomas advised that there has been a downward trend in HOT revenue over the past five years. It was estimated that the county was collecting approximately 40% of the occupancy taxes owed to it. 

She advised that the commission is investigating a tax firm which would facilitate occupancy tax identification and collection. She also advised that a 2023 contract with HomeAway lodging agents (of the Expedia Group) which would help in identifying tax liabilities was never filed in calendar year 2023 and must be renegotiated. 

It was announced that a contract will be pursued with developer Tom Mullins to assist the Quitman Community Development Initiative.

Kennan reported that the Wood County Airport Land Use Project is focusing on three areas: land use inside the airport, land use on the surrounding lands and creation of a school of aviation. A letter to adjacent property owners is forthcoming which will query the landowners about their intentions regarding their properties.  

The board briefly discussed upcoming events including Okrapalooza at the Mineola Nature Preserve, the Wood County Veterans Golf Tourney and the Wood County Health Fair.

Upon adjourning the meeting the group received briefings on native prairie restoration from Julie Mattox and Kelli Ebel.