Rick Hess, new city administrator at Holts Summit, said many of the suggestions made recently by a company headhunting for new businesses were exciting.
"If we get one of two of these businesses, it will be well worth it," Hess said of the findings recently released by a company, The Retail Coach, that acts as a matchmaker between cities and businesses.
The firm also made recommendations for Fulton, which are posted on the Fulton city website (see the story in the Fulton Sun, July 29). Both cities shared suggestions for dining options.
"About a dozen different fast food restaurants are on the list, from Arby's to Wendy's and everything in between," Hess said. "Two things I'd like to see here, because they do so well - one's a Chick-fil-A, and another, because there's so much traffic out at (U.S. Route) 54, is a Cracker Barrel."
The Holts Summit list of proposed new retail stores didn't include clothing chains, but suggestions were made for groceries, drug stores and potential auto-related businesses.
"More retail is always better, especially for a city that doesn't have any property taxes," Hess said.
As new city administrator, Hess said he already has ideas for improvements. One he's moving fast on is acquiring protective gear for the city's police officers.
"Cops being targets these days, I'm proposing level-four vests and ballistic helmets," he said. "I want to get the entire community to buy into this and be a part of it, and solicit donations from businesses and citizens."
The price of the equipment would be about $10,000, Hess added.
"That would outfit nine officers," he said, adding he will propose this to city officials. "Once I get all the information together, I will be taking it to them."
Hess started his new position in early July.
"I'm enjoying it so far," he said. "I have a feeling I will be enjoying it greatly."