Ray Watson has worked in economic development, helping cities and advising businesses for the past 20 years. (Samantha Van Dyke / Community Impact Newspaper)
Ray Watson was announced in July as the new director of economic development for Flower Mound City and took up his new position in late August. He has been working in business development for 20 years, both for other cities and municipalities and as a consultant for companies. Watson shared how he plans to support the city’s development as he takes on this new role. Answers have been edited for length and clarity.
Tell me a little about your background and experience in economic development.
I’ve spent 10 years doing economic development for various cities and regional development groups. And then I’ve been in the private sector consultancy for the past 10 years, doing this for the corporate side.
What does a director for business development do?
I am really responsible for promoting it [town’s] Economic growth and stability. So I work with existing companies to maintain and expand the business. … It is a vehicle to help businesses expand, grow, or just stay healthy in the community. The other part of [the role] attracts new businesses to the community that are not currently in the community. The main goal is to understand what is available in relation to the property and then match that with the appropriate companies.
How do you stay true to Flower Mound’s solidarity while unlocking economic opportunities?
[I stay true to that by] basically just to understand what the community as a whole wants and what fits the community. We have lived here for 10 years and understand the community and its specifics.
What kind of business do you want to bring to the city?
The most important [types of businesses] that we are looking at are hotels and offices, and [we are] View of the relocation of the company headquarters to the region. One of the things that we have to deal with is that Flower Mound has become a very expensive place to live. So if you want to benefit from companies that come here, you need to be headquartered so they actually have employees who live here. That’s the direction we’re looking right now. [We’re] Also, consider the upscale retail stores, restaurants, hotels, and the like that actually fit the area and make it a better place.
Are you actively looking for companies to bring to Flower Mound, or do they come to town often?
Both. There are companies that come here alone and want to be in the region, and then we are actively looking for companies.
How do you determine which companies the city needs and how can they be attracted?
Much of this happens through conversations with the public at various events and meetings. The key is being an ambassador for the city in the business world and making sure companies understand that this is an opportunity for them to join a really great community. [The goal is also] To put Flower Mound in front of these shops.
Are there parts of the city that you are actively working on to develop?
Yes sir, [I am looking to develop] the lakeshore [Parkway]/[FM] 2499 corridor between Gerault [Road] and [the] Lake development, and then also the western edge of the [town] where the [Flower Mound] Ranch development is suggested as well [I-]35. The aim is to identify both businesses and retailers [businesses] that fit the nature of this area out there and can be sustainable for both the developers and the community.
What economic development opportunities does Flower Mound offer that the surrounding cities do not?
I think for whatever arable land we have, we are growing at the rate we should be. When you look at what Flower Mound has to offer a business or business, this really is a high-end Net Worth Per Family Unit and just a really great place to be.
