With its vibrant community and vast natural wonders, the city of Kerrville is one of Texas’ most sought-after destinations for both tourists and business investors. Kerr Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Gilberto Salinas sat down with GMI POST to talk about the business opportunities in Kerrville.
For Salinas, the city is a “very spirited town and an exciting and beautiful place to both live in and do business.” It is home to 2,086 businesses and a labor force of 22,632 people.
“As a community, we’re very entrepreneurial in nature, family-oriented, and open to everyone,” Salinas told GMI POST.
Kerrville, the official capital of Texas Hill Country, has a well-educated workforce, which is a major point of attraction for most investors. 35.88% of the population in Kerrville has an associate's degree or higher and 90.55% has a high school degree.
“We’ve recruited some major projects and also fostered the growth of small business, primarily due to our proximity to San Antonio and Austin metros, our skilled labor force and most importantly, our pro-business climate,” Salinas said.
The executive director says another factor that makes Kerrville attractive is its easy access to transportation hubs. There are 12 airports within 50 miles of Kerrville, which include Kerrville-Kerr County Airport, and the San Antonio International Airport. And just 90 minutes down the road is the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport at the state’s capitol.
Health care, craft agriculture, and food and hospitality services are some of the city’s most valuable industries. Meanwhile, for tourists who want to experience the city’s natural wonders, Salinas boasts the pristine Guadalupe river, which runs through the city and hosts world-class river trail parks and amenities.
“We would love to have the opportunity to build new cultural and business relationships,” Salinas said, encouraging foreign investors to put interest in the said city.
“With Kerrville, businesses have the opportunity to grow. We value relationships and don’t take these investments for granted. And as the city continues to grow, so will its resources to support and give back to its industries,” he said.
