CDC BOARD CHANGES

The Cuero Development Corporation recently held the annual meeting of its Board of Directors. Charles Tounley, Operations Manager for the South End Region for Texas Gas Service Company, has been re-appointed to the CDC Board. Tounley will take the place of Christopher Crain, Esq., a member of the CDC Board since 1997.

Re-elected officers for a one-year term are: President, Charles Papacek, Vice President, Greg Gossett and Secretary/Treasurer, Karen Goodman. Other current CDC Board members are Mayor W.L. "Buzz" Edge, City Manager, Corlis Riedesel and Bill Howard.

The office of the Cuero Development Corporation is located at 207 E. Main (at the Cuero Public Library). Any items to go before the Board should be received in the CDC Office in writing in order to be put on the agenda. Any items requesting funding require an application for project funding and are also due one week prior to the meetings. These applications are available at the Office of the CDC. Regular monthly meetings of the Cuero Development Corporation take place at 5:30 p.m. at the Office of the CDC on the second Monday of every month.

SMALL BUSINESS LOAN POOL

The Cuero Small Business Loan Pool still has funds available for qualifying Cuero businesses. Businesses can borrow between $2,000 and $25,000 to be used within the business. Funds for these low-interest loans are limited and applications are considered on a "first come, first serve" basis. Information packets and applications are available and the Office of the Cuero Development Corporation, 207 E. Main.

Many local businesses have taken advantage of this program to date making it one of the most successful programs of the CDC. Funds have been used for start-up businesses, expansions, working capital, building improvements, inventory and other things incorporated in those qualifies businesses. Businesses are seriously encouraged to take advantage of this low interest loan program.

Downtown Revitalization

The CDC had taken on several projects to help in the revitalization of the Commercial Historic District in Downtown Cuero over the past few years. These projects include new trash receptacles on Main Street and an extensive decorative historic lighting project throughout the entire district. Street paving has been done on most of the streets in the district with additional business district paving included in the current budget.

Another objective underway with the cooperation of local co-sponsors is a banner project for the Commercial Historic District. Cuero has recently been honored as one of the few Federally designated Preserve America communities. In recognition of this designation, the CDC and numerous sponsors have successfully purchased Preserve America banners for the new decorative historic lighting poles in the Commercial Historic District of Cuero.

Another major project that the CDC Board is currently working on is the construction of a public restroom in the downtown area. Although this project is currently in the planning stage, it has been one of interest for a while by the Board and the Downtown Community, so the desire is to put it into action as quickly as possible.