Visions Participants Set Sights On Horses

Horses and water dominated the topics of discussion at the January Visions meeting held in Edgewood on Monday.

Wills Point City Manager Jim Stephens addressed the luncheon participants with a presentation regarding the Texas Equestrian Industry. Stephens recounted efforts in Canton to bring an expo center to house equestrian events, and asked that a county-wide committee be set up to pursue the possibility.

Among the economic statistics Stephens presented was a total economic impact of $5.2 billion from the horse industry in Texas. It generates $43 million in state taxes and $26 million to local governments.

Stephens added that statistics show a typical traveler will spend $159 a day in lodging, food and other costs. However, a traveler involved in an equestrian event spends $300 a day.

"If you don’t have a vision you’re never going to accomplish anything," Stephens said. "Bringing these events to our county would have a positive effect on every community."

Stephens estimated that the impact to Van Zandt County could potentially be as much as $100 million annually.

Canton City Manager Andy McCuistion also encouraged the rest of the Visions participants that the county communities should be working together to secure future water rights.

"Water is critical across the state," McCuistion said. "And in the next few years most of our county will not have sufficient sources of water."

The city of Canton is exploring possibilities for building lakes on either the Mill Creek or Grand Saline Creek basins, but it was expressed that the representatives from across the county should work together to form a more effective lobbying body.

Among the other announcements at the meeting were:

Ben Wheeler is working with Half-Priced Books to start a library. The resale chain will donate 1,500 children’s books to start the project.

The community will also hold a Moon Pie and RC Cola Festival.

Canton will hold the Second Annual Western Swing and Valentines Party on February 11, 12 and 13.

Edgewood will hold the Beauties and Bears Blooming Festival complete with the Blooming Idiot Hat Contest.

The city of Van is pursuing a Main St. City designation, and also announced that there were properties available for hotel and motel franchises.