A Fort Worth-Area City Wants to Partner With Businesses for Promotion, Advertising

Burleson’s Economic Development Corporation is ready to help some local businesses affected by COVID-19 get back on their feet.

On Monday, the EDC and city council voted on a plan called Operation Together which involves allocating $500,000 for businesses that agree to help promote the economic development corporation and the city.

The businesses can also use the funds to advertise their products and services.

“We’re excited to be able to help out our local businesses,” Mayor Ken Shetter said in an interview.

Alex Philips, economic development manager, said in an email to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that businesses would “join the EDC as promotional partners to publicize the City of Burleson as a great place to start or grow a business.”

Philips said the program is available to a limited number of businesses on a first come, first served basis. Businesses that qualify will be notified that they have been chosen for the program, Philips said.

How it works

According to the city’s website, businesses must be located in Burleson and have a site for commercial operations.

Full service restaurants with five or less locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area are eligible as long as their dining rooms closed during the stay-at-home order. Businesses that provided curbside service are also eligible.

Retail establishments wiht 50 or more employees aren’t eligible, and national chains and franchises associated with the parent company also aren’t eligible.

Businesses that are selected for the program must also have a sponsored advertisement on their social media sites mentioning the partnership with the economic development corporation, purchase a poster to hang inside and advertise in a print publication that is mailed to Burleson residents.

Businesses can fill out an application on the city’s website beginning at 9 a.m. Wednesday, and if approved, each will receive $5,000 that can be used toward helping to promote and market the corporation and also advertise their particular products or services.

The money can also go toward bills and other expenses, Shetter said.

The EDC can use 10 percent of its $5.1 million revenue for promotion and marketing, according to the Texas Government Code. The EDC is funded by a half-cent sales tax.