The Wood County Economic Development Commission (WCEDC) discussed making plans ahead of the solar eclipse in April 2024 and heard from Gwen Winters on the health survey she is directing for the county.

There will be the opportunity for Northeast Texas businesses to serve thousands expected to be in the area. The eclipse will be on April 8, 2024 with Hopkins and Wood counties being tabbed as the location to best view the event. It will also be the last total eclipse until 2045.

“We need to make everybody aware of places to stay and what we offer people when the solar eclipse happens in 2024,” Board Chairman Tom Keenan noted. “This is a great opportunity to be involved in the event. Wood County is going to be a great place to watch the eclipse.”

WCEDC Assistant Executive Director Drew Deathridge said, ”Once those motels fill up in Sulphur Springs, people will be looking south to the Lake Fork and Wood County area for lodging during the event.”

“The Sulphur Springs area is ground zero in this area for the event. Thousands are expected to attend and be in the area,” Steve Eggleston said.  

Winters heads the Health Care and Human Services Committee.

”We have made a lot of progress, but we are still trying to get more citizens participating on the survey,” Winters said. “This survey is important to help determine the needs of all of our communities in Wood County.”

The committee has reviewed county population data and established target goals which include responses from at least 2,000 individuals or 5% of the population of 45,000.

Winters reported opportunities and sites for more dissemination of the survey including chambers of commerce, businesses, schools, churches, hospitals, nursing homes, retail and grocery stores, sporting events, festivals and restaurants. 

The committee also wants to create a call-in phone number, a phone bank and volunteer schedule for over the phone responses. In addition, volunteers will assist participants with completing printable surveys.  Student volunteers will be trained to assist with implementing the survey and operating the phone bank.

The committee also seeks to garner support from media outlets to assist with making the public aware of the health care survey and about the importance of participation. Winters noted the April 20 article in the Wood County Monitor as an example.

Eggleston reported the Wood County travel guide brochure has been a great success.

 “We got a call from Waskom wanting more travel guides. Everybody loves the travel guide and everybody wants more copies,” Eggleston said. “We are going to be running out fairly soon but we will reload and again, we are looking at adding four more pages. We hope to be more specific adding fishing guides, individual businesses and I certainly think we can easily add four pages.”

The next WCEDC meeting will be May 24.