Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)
Click Here to Download the City of Seguin and Seguin Economic Development Corporation CEDS
In March 2023, the Seguin Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) engaged Ernst & Young LLP’s (EY) Economic Development Advisory Services team to develop Seguin’s first-ever Comprehensive Economic
Development Strategy (CEDS). The purpose of a CEDS is to understand the current state of the local economy, identify where we would like to go in the
future, and create a roadmap to achieve our goals. This CEDS includes three phases: Phase 1: Summary Background, Phase 2: Targeted Industry Analysis, and Phase 3: Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy.
During Phase 1: Summary Background the EY team conducted qualitative and quantitative research to better understand the current state of the Seguin economy. Quantitative research including benchmarking Seguin against five peer communities, the San Antonio MSA, the Austin MSA, Texas, and the US on a variety of socioeconomic and demographic metrics. Qualitative research included conducting a community survey that received 921 responses, 30 interviews, 5 focus groups, and 3 workshops with an Advisory Committee. Findings from the Summary Background phase focused on the following topics:
- Economic growth and prosperity
- Talent and workforce development
- Targeted industry development
- Infrastructure
- Communications and marketing
- Quality of life
With an understanding of research findings and stakeholder feedback, the EY team then validated SEDC’s current targeted industries and selected new targeted industries during Phase 2: Targeted Industry Analysis. Factors considered included industry growth, industry concentration, existing assets, wages, and strategic alignment to identify new targeted industries that present significant growth opportunities for residents and the economy. SEDC’s new targeted industries are:
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Automotive
- Smart Systems Technology
- Targeted Retail
The final phase of this strategic planning effort included developing SEDC’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, which outlines a vision, four main goals, and strategies for SEDC over the next three to five years.
This strategy outlines four major areas where SEDC should focus its efforts, including partnership-based workforce development, targeted industry development, quality of life, and marketing and communications. This strategy provides an overview of how SEDC and its partners can work to achieve these goals, while an internal implementation plan delivered to SEDC breaks down these strategies into tasks with a timeline, key partners, and metrics of success.
Vision: Seguin is recognized throughout Texas and the US as a destination for business and talent because of its vibrant quality of life, prosperous economy and access to economic opportunity.
Goal 1: Establish a partnership-based approach to comprehensive workforce development.
Goal 2: Proactively work to recruit and retain targeted businesses to accelerate economic diversification and create accessible opportunities for Seguin residents.
Goal 3: Work with partners to enhance Seguin's quality of life by improving and marketing existing amenities, encouraging entrepreneurship and attracting targeted retail, restaurant and entertainment operations.
Goal 4: Enhance Seguin’s reputation through internal efforts to improve community pride and external efforts to promote Seguin as a destination for businesses, talent, and families.
