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HALTOM CITY, TX, November 21, 2023 /24-7PressRelease/ — In 2021, Haltom City businessman Ron Sturgeon launched an advocacy campaign called Make Haltom City Thrive Again (MHTCA). The goal of the campaign is to educate citizens about the urgent need for policy changes that will help turn things around in the declining south and central areas of the city.

Sturgeon often hears from citizens and business owners who are dismayed about the ongoing decline and want to see changes that will spur revitalization along the older corridors. “I continue to get emails from frustrated citizens and business owners who believe that have been disenfranchised by the city council, and who they believe are out of touch.” For example, one resident wrote in a recent Facebook post: “This area is such a disappointment. I see the downtown getting worse as well as the crime.” Added two others in recent social media posts: “Very sad, because all of Haltom City could be great, not just a part of it,” and “We have ‘growth and progress’ on 820. What about 121, Haltom Rd, Belknap, Denton Highway? You can’t focus on one small section of the city and call it good.”

The Make Haltom City Thrive Again website outlines a “Concept Plan” with well-researched ideas and strategies that can be used as a starting point for discussion Overall goals include maximizing support for first responders, prioritizing road repairs, and a moratorium on new taxes unless identified and agreed upon. Above all, planning and zoning regulations should be modified — particularly for the south and central areas of the city — so that they are conducive to small business and make the areas more attractive to business owners and new residents alike. The current council recently raised the advalorem taxes by the legal maximum, and they still haven’t even recognized the declining areas of the city.

Sturgeon has repeatedly stressed the need for a Concept Plan that specifically includes target dates. Whether or not his specific suggestions are adopted, “An idea without a plan or date is just a dream, and if we want to make Haltom City the proud city with bustling corridors it once was, it is time to for city leadership to take action.”

Sturgeon is personally funding the campaign and not looking for donors. However, he would very much like to see a group of interested stakeholders come together and advocate for change. Last year, he recorded a series of educational videos that help explain the plan and other pertinent issues. “I am a huge fan of this mighty city and want the best for our residents and businesses. Please check out the videos and contact me at [email protected] if you’re interested in working to bring back prosperity, products, services and jobs.”

About Haltom City
Haltom City is a diverse, majority working-class city located between Dallas and Fort Worth in Tarrant County, TX. Haltom City is minutes from both the DFW Airport and Downtown Fort Worth with direct access to major highways including I-820 and SH-121. Due to an outdated and restrictive use matrix that discourages new business and deters growth, several areas of Haltom City have seen a decline in small businesses which provided goods and services and were a significant source of jobs, including the once-thriving automotive industry. However, Haltom City can reverse this trend and should prioritize development of inner-city land and vacant buildings, particularly in the major corridors close to the city’s center. The city is financially healthy with a capable manager and staff who would like to see diverse business development occur and need the support of the City Council to make it happen.

About Make Haltom City Thrive Again
Make Haltom City Thrive Again is a movement to return prosperity to the older parts of South and Central Haltom City by luring the small businesses that have left over the past decades back to Haltom City. A vibrant business community not only allows for greater employment and choice of goods and services, but also can ease the tax burden on residents. The movement is led by local entrepreneur and business owner Ron Sturgeon. For more on Sturgeon’s ideas and background, check out his book, Keeping the Lights on Downtown in America’s Small Cities and watch the videos on his Facebook page. Ron is also the founder of the Haltom United Business Alliance (HUBA) which represents existing business interests in Haltom City and promotes growth of diverse businesses. HUBA is not a political action committee and does not endorse candidates. If/when Ron endorses candidates, he will do so on his own via the Make Haltom City Thrive Again organization.

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