Henry Florsheim, Director, Cedar Hill EDC

In an interview with Invest:, Henry Florsheim, the director of Cedar Hill’s Economic Development Corporation (EDC), emphasized its commitment to green spaces and sustainability and discussed the local communities’ ability to decide whether or not they want to tax themselves for economic development. He added that the EDC is seeking to attract entertainment-related industries to the area.

What have been some key highlights for Cedar Hill EDC over the last year?

Let me first explain why I came to Cedar Hill. I came here with a different perspective on economic development, one that focuses on creating a high quality of life to attract not just companies but also people. Traditional industrial recruitment strategies are not enough anymore, as companies go where the people are and people go to places where you have green space and retail, among other amenities. So, we need a holistic view to attract people and build communities where people want to be. After all, by focusing on quality of life, we can attract not just the employers that we want but the people we need to support them.

My first six months here were spent taking a draft economic development strategy and turning it into an actual plan. To do so, I spent dozens of hours working with stakeholders, such as our city council, EDC board members and city staff, to determine what was our vision for the community and then how we were going to get there. In December, we finalized that strategy and have been working on implementing it ever since.

Crucial to our economic development strategy is getting better at telling our story, holistically and long term, with a focus on developing key targets, activating our green space and attracting retail and entertainment options. We have thousands of acres of green space here and we are looking at what we can bring to take advantage of it and provide more for our citizens to enjoy and keep visitors here longer. Ultimately, our goal is to create more attractions and amenities in Cedar Hill for people of all interests. 

Are there any programs or incentives that Cedar Hill provides to businesses?

One of the coolest things about Texas is how our local communities have the power to decide if they want to tax themselves for economic development. In Cedar Hill, we have both a 4A and a 4B Economic Development tax, which means we can offer support and incentives to the companies we want to attract to the area. We work closely with our Economic Development Corporation’s board members to figure out which opportunities are the right fit and where we should invest our resources. It’s a collaborative effort to bring the perfect mix of businesses to Cedar Hill.

What are Cedar Hill’s infrastructural needs and aspirations, such as housing or sewers for industrial properties? 

I feel confident about our infrastructure. We have a lot of new housing being built and it seems like every week, we talk to another developer with plans for some kind of development in town. As for our industrial area, it’s already built out and we’ll likely only need to add infrastructure in the green space of our nature corridor. We’ve identified a few properties that we own that might be developed as a public-private partnership and we might need to add some infrastructure there but we’re still in the early stages of figuring that out.

Also, we have trails, nature preserves and reserves that are all connected by creeks, with trails running alongside them. We have a long-term plan in place to connect all those trails but right now, there are gaps between some segments. When properties develop and there is land that’s not developed and the creek has trails running alongside it, making those connections will help us become even more pedestrian-friendly.

What factors distinguish Cedar Hill from other cities in the region?

For us, green space is our primary focus, with an emphasis on preserving and utilizing it. Cedar Hill boasts an unparalleled topography, with trails and a lake within the metroplex, making it the greenest location by far. Our objective is to expand and enhance the green space, enabling more access for the public. Despite being just 20 minutes from Downtown Dallas, Cedar Hill feels like a serene oasis. Our citizens have conveyed the significance of promoting sustainability and we have taken their guidance seriously. The city hall is equipped with solar panels, and a wind turbine generates power for our operations. We strive to be the city of the future. If you are someone keen on exploring nature and reside in or plan to visit the metroplex, Cedar Hill is the ideal spot.

Lastly, the city council has made a definitive commitment to preserving our green space and we are confident that it will be fulfilled. We are working on improving access to this green space in specific areas, while also developing more innovative and pedestrian-friendly areas that connect different parts of town. Cedar Hill is a town that values the outdoors and our investments make it an even more inviting and open community. This is who we’ve always been and it’s a commitment we intend to keep.

What is your outlook for Cedar Hill over the next two to three years?

One important aspect of our work is to share the story of Cedar Hill, which is unknown to many. While some may know of the state park, there’s so much more to our community. We’ve worked hard to protect and preserve our town but now is the time to think ahead and decide what we want Cedar Hill to look like in 20 years. It’s not just about creating new assets, it’s also about sharing our story with the rest of the metroplex. That’s why we brought our marketing director on board, to help us reach the millions of people who live within an hour of Cedar Hill. Our goal is to make sure everyone knows what’s happening here, what it’s like to visit and what it’s like to live here.

In terms of attracting new businesses, we conducted a survey and found that entertainment-related industries were a priority for our citizens. As such, we’re looking for indoor and outdoor recreational opportunities as well as anything related to entertainment. Our Downtown revitalization efforts are also in full swing. We own property in the area and have partnered with some innovative developers to rebuild and restore historic buildings. We want to create more gathering spaces in our town and we’re excited about the progress we’ve made so far.