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Getting Back to Business We all know our hometown is the perfect location for our favorite retailers and popular restaurants. We know this because so many have opened here over the years. But what makes these companies want to come to Beaumont in the first place? Let's sit down with our Economic Development Department and City Leaders to learn how our hometown is attracting new businesses and the role our residents can play in drawing and keeping them here. "My advice to everybody is do as the wonderful city of Beaumont has done. You're incredibly business-friendly." - Carter Ewing, Vice President of CT Realty Investors, speaking to an Economic Development Conference in the San Gorgonio Pass on March 27, 2013 8 BEAUMONT NOW | SEPTEMBER 2013 WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT? Community Development Analyst Kyle Warsinski: We're dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for all our residents, businesses and visitors. In everything we do, we strive to make Beaumont a great place to live, work and play. We're working diligently to meet the needs of a growing, thriving community with a small-town feel. We believe in a bright future ahead for young families, "empty nesters," and retired seniors. It's a tomorrow filled with the promise of good-paying local jobs and an abundance of open space and blue skies to enjoy the natural beauty surrounding us. We're seeing the finest in public improvements to keep traffic flowing and assure a plentiful, affordable supply of water for generations to come. The Economic Development Department has four goals: Attract a broad spectrum of developments that create jobs, provide the finest in local shopping, and generate sales tax revenue for our city services. Assure an unequaled quality of life in a "green" community that offers bike and golf cart lanes and a citywide trail system for exploring our unique landscape. Assess the need for streets, bridges, and water lines in a city that often builds many public improvements ahead of development. Assist new and existing businesses to prosper, create jobs, and understand our city's rules and regulatory process. WHAT NEW STORES ARE COMING TO BEAUMONT? Warsinski: We're excited to announce the opening of three new stores: O'Reilly Auto Parts, one of the largest specialty retailers of automotive after market parts, tools, supplies, equipment and accessories in the United States. The company, with more than 4,000 stores across the country, had sales of $1.71 billion for the last quarter. O'Reilly Auto Parts serves both the do-it-yourself and professional mechanics. The grand opening is planned for late this year. Farmer Boys Restaurant, with 72 locations across Southern and Central California and Nevada, specializes in farm-raised burgers and onion rings. Every Farmer Boys has a traditional farmhouse bell, and customers are invited to ring the bell on their way out! The grand opening is to be announced. ICON Health & Fitness, with nearly 2,000 employees nationwide, sales of more than $1 billion annually, and locations around the globe, will open a 600,000-square-foot distribution center and a retail store where shoppers can purchase fitness equipment at a discount. ICON is the largest developer, manufacturer, and marketer of fitness equipment in the world and owns many of the best-known brands in fitness like NordicTrack. Their grand opening is planned for this fall. WHAT ATTRACTS MAJOR RETAILERS AND POPULAR RESTAURANTS TO A CITY AND BEAUMONT IN PARTICULAR? City Manager Alan Kapanicas: Many factors influence whether companies locate in a new area. They're looking at population, future