The city refuses to recognize its declining areas, so it isn’t making a plan to bring more small businesses to the older parts of the city.

HALTOM CITY, TX, March 21, 2023 /24-7PressRelease/ — Ron Sturgeon, one of Haltom United Business Alliance‘s founders, says, “One of my favorite sayings is a goal without a date is a dream.” He adds, that before you prepare a plan, you must realize that there is a problem.

“Recognizing that a problem exists is a very big step, and one that many businesses and cities have failed to get right,” says Sturgeon.

While some cities are stuck before step one, other cities have forged ahead, recognized the declining areas, made plans to fix the issues and revitalized themselves. Their efforts are well documented. City leaders in these places are eager to share what has worked for them with cities at an earlier point in the journey.

“Haltom United Business Alliance has given Haltom City ideas on how to return commerce to South and Central Haltom City on numerous occasions,” says HUBA Communications Director Joe Palmer.

“Unfortunately, because Haltom City leaders don’t yet perceive a problem, they are not receptive to any advice about revitalizing South and Central Haltom City,” Palmer adds. Jayson Steele, a city employee and outspoken critic of the business alliance says Haltom City is doing better than surrounding cities. That may be correct on the north side, but it overlooks the decrepit older central and southern parts. Jayson is the city’s Community Health Specialist, a position he created for himself, reporting directly to the city manager.

“The members of Haltom City Council have basically stuck their collective heads in the sand, and I guess, they are leaving revitalization for another council to deal with,” said Palmer.

HUBA hopes to see candidates for Haltom City Council who have business experience and knowledge and who are willing to recognize that the city is declining. Unfortunately, Palmer says, we do not have that business experience on the current city council.

Ron Sturgeon has started a campaign to bring small business back to the areas of Haltom City that most need them. To build support for revitalization, he has started a campaign with a billboard on 121 that says, “Make Haltom City Thrive Again; Time for a Change.”

Sturgeon has had many business successes since he started his first business in Haltom City 50 years ago. He still owns businesses here and is now committed to making sure Haltom City makes the necessary improvements in its governance to have an opportunity to bring prosperity back. He has a detailed plan to make it happen. Learn more by visiting MakeHaltomCityThriveAgain.com.

About Haltom City
Haltom City is a diverse, majority working-class city located between Dallas and Fort Worth in Tarrant County, TX. Haltom City is minutes from both the DFW Airport and Downtown Fort Worth with direct access to major highways including I-820 and SH-121. Due to an outdated and restrictive use matrix that discourages new business and deters growth, several areas of Haltom City have seen a decline in small businesses which provided goods and services and were a significant source of jobs, including the once-thriving automotive industry. However, Haltom City has the opportunity to reverse this trend and should prioritize development of inner-city land and vacant buildings, particularly in the major corridors close to the city’s center. The city is financially healthy with a capable manager and staff who would like to see diverse business development occur and need the support of the City Council to make it happen.

About Haltom United Business Alliance
Haltom United Business Alliance (HUBA) is a group of business owners dedicated to making Haltom City the most business-friendly city in Tarrant County. HUBA recognizes the contributions of small business owners to community and their unique role in providing jobs, goods and services, and greater choice to the people of Haltom City. HUBA believes innovative strategies are needed to create a strong business tax base to allow residential tax reductions. All Haltom City business owners are eligible to join HUBA. For more information, contact Joe Palmer at (682) 310-0591 or by email at HUBAgrp@gmail.com or visit the group’s Facebook page at Haltom United Business Alliance.

About Make Haltom City Thrive Again
The Make Haltom City Thrive Again is a movement to return prosperity to the older parts of South and Central Haltom City by luring the small businesses that have left over the past decades back to Haltom City. A vibrant business community not only allows for greater employment and choice of goods and services, but also can ease the tax burden on residents. The movement is led by local entrepreneur and business owner Ron Sturgeon. For more on Sturgeon’s ideas and background, check out his book, Keeping the Lights on Downtown in America’s Small Cities and watch the videos on his Facebook page. Ron is also the founder of the Haltom United Business Alliance (HUBA) which represents existing business interests in Haltom City and promotes growth of diverse businesses. HUBA is not a political action committee and does not endorse candidates. If/when Ron endorses candidates, he will do so on his own via the Make Haltom City Thrive Again organization.

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