Texas Commercial Real Estate

Texas Tech School of Pharmacy Abilene - Now Open in Amarillo

Erik Johnson, CCIM (Paul Johnson and Associates) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:54:22 -0600

Great to see the creation and expansion of education and the health industry across west Texas.

- Erik Johnson

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy Abilene Campus, opened on 08-12-2007. Classes are held in a Spanish-themed 36,000-square-footbuilding, constructed at a cost of $15.5 million. The initial enrollment of 40 is expected to grow to 160 by fall of 2011. Also, by that time, the school is expected to have 40 professors and staff.

TECH'S PHARMACY CAMPUS COMPLETE

AMARILLO (Amarillo Globe-News) - Work is complete on the newest academic and administrative building for Texas Tech School of Pharmacy.

The facility includes two 120-seat classrooms, 12 patient simulation training rooms, two debriefing rooms and administrative space.

The campus will open for students next year.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held Friday for the $8 million center, which will increase the Amarillo campus' enrollment from 90 to 115 professional-degree students. The addition, along with a new Abilene campus, will allow for 155 graduates per year across the School of Pharmacy's four Texas campuses.

Erik Johnson, CCIM
Paul Johnson & Associates
4633 South 14th
Abilene, TX 79605
325 698-5661 office
325 692-8508 fax
325 439-0186 mobile
Erik@PaulJohnsonRealtors.com
www.pauljohnsonrealtors.com

The Texas Deer Lease

Erik Johnson, CCIM (Paul Johnson and Associates) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:39:07 -0600

There is also a podcast if you go to the RECON link below. Interesting info about Trespassing in Texas, the fence its self is a NO TRESPASSING sign. Also, crops grown for human consumption are NO TRESPASSING or a Puple Stripe 8"hx 1"w is also a notice.

- Erik Johnson

Just in time for deer season, Real Estate Center Attorney Judon Fambrough talks about changes to regulations regarding Texas deer lease management. Also, Edie Craig discusses big deals in Georgetown, El Paso, Seguin and Abilene.

JUST IN TIME FOR DEER SEASON

COLLEGE STATION (Real Estate Center) - We've rolled out a revised edition of one of our most requested publications - The Texas Deer Lease. And with deer season having just begun, the timing couldn't be better.

Center Attorney Judon Fambrough, who wrote the original report and oversaw the revision, will talk about the changes on this week's Real Estate Red Zone podcast, which comes out tomorrow.

Until then, print a copy, or order it from our online store.

Erik Johnson, CCIM
Paul Johnson & Associates
4633 South 14th
Abilene, TX 79605
325 698-5661 office
325 692-8508 fax
325 439-0186 mobile
Erik@PaulJohnsonRealtors.com
www.pauljohnsonrealtors.com

CHARTER SCHOOLS: Investment Tool

Erik Johnson, CCIM (Paul Johnson and Associates) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:14:56 -0600

I recently had a request for a Buyer looking to purchase Charter Schools. Apparently there is a market for the privately owned public schools. Interesting to see how the investment horizon changes from year to year.

- Erik Johnson

GATES FOUNDATION OPENS DOOR ON CHARTER SCHOOL FINANCING

HOUSTON (Austin American-Statesman) - Charter school KIPP Houston has issued $67 million in bonds to finance a new facility - with a little help from Bill and Melinda Gates.

The Gates Foundation contributed $10 million to a $20 million bond guaranty that helped the school attain more favorable lending terms. This was the first time a private foundation has backed charter school facility bonds at this scale.

The $10 million is a portion of the $30 million the Gates Foundation has committed to Houston charter schools to help them secure $300 million in financing for facilities.

Here is an article about Charter Schools and what they do.

Charter schools are part of the reinvention of public education. They first emerged in the 1990s as a prominent and controversial school reform idea. Parents, teachers, and community organizations are the founders of most charter schools, but some are started by for-profit companies. Charter schools are public schools that have been freed of many restrictive rules and regulations. In return, these schools are expected to achieve specific educational outcomes within a certain period (usually three to five years) or have their charters revoked.

Erik Johnson, CCIM
Paul Johnson & Associates
4633 South 14th
Abilene, TX 79605
325 698-5661 office
325 692-8508 fax
325 439-0186 mobile
Erik@PaulJohnsonRealtors.com
www.pauljohnsonrealtors.com

AUSTIN OFFICE VACANCIES UP

Erik Johnson, CCIM (Paul Johnson and Associates) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 09:14:48 -0600

Fortunately the Abilene office sector has been stable. I have seen more activity in the Industrial and Office markets than Retail or Multi Family. The A Class office spaces are saturated and there is no new construction. Many companies and businesses have either moved to larger rental space or opted to purchase and renovate existing buildings. The latter is great for bringing older space up to current codes and creating more value and generally more attractive buildings.

- Erik Johnson

AUSTIN OFFICE VACANCIES UP

AUSTIN (Marcus & Millichap) - Recent overbuilding and employers' thinning space requirements have widened the Austin office supply/demand imbalance in recent months, driving metrowide vacancy close to 20 percent for the first time since 2004, according to a fourth-quarter Office Research Report by Marcus & Millichap.

Despite projections for further weakening into the first half of 2010, this downturn will likely be shallower than the tech bust earlier in the decade, as job losses are expected to ease through the end of this year.

"Buyers will remain cautious when approaching deals and continue to hold out for price corrections, given projections for further fundamental weakening," says J. Michael Watson, regional manager of the Austin office of Marcus & Millichap.

Following are some of the most significant findings from the report:

Hiring is projected to pick up by year end. In 2009, employers are forecasted to reduce payrolls in Austin by 6,000 positions, a 0.8 percent decline. Office-using businesses are expected to eliminate 700 jobs.
Office construction will drop off significantly this year as developers are on pace to bring only 650,000 sf online, down from 2008, when 2.7 million sf was added to stock.
Although office development activity will slow in 2009, contracting demand and oversupply issues are expected to push up metrowide vacancy 200 basis points to 20.8 percent. Last year, vacancy increased 430 basis points.
This year, more moderate tenant demand will prompt owners to reduce rental rates in an attempt to stabilize operations. Asking rents are forecast to decrease 3.7 percent to $25.29 per sf, and effective rents will end the year at $20.59 per sf, a 7.5 percent annual drop.

Erik Johnson, CCIM
Paul Johnson & Associates
4633 South 14th
Abilene, TX 79605
325 698-5661 office
325 692-8508 fax
325 439-0186 mobile
Erik@PaulJohnsonRealtors.com
www.pauljohnsonrealtors.com

SAN ANTONIO - RETAIL RENTS FALL

Erik Johnson, CCIM (Paul Johnson and Associates) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 09:08:32 -0600

In Abilene we are still spread between $10 - $15 p/s/f p/yr for B, B+ space and $13 - $18 for A, A+ space. There are some vacancies to be filled in most of the shopping centers and opportunities are available for Retailers. Now is the time to update your business plan and talk to some Landlords and Brokers about getting in to some of the great locations around town.

- Erik Johnson

SA RETAIL RENTS FALL

SAN ANTONIO (San Antonio Express-News) - After slight increases in retail rents in the first two quarters of 2009, asking annual rents fell 42 cents per sf to $17.91 in the third quarter, according to NAI REOC Partners.

That marks a decrease of 8 cents from this time last year.

Average vacancy, which remains greater than 14 percent, is driving rents down, says Ty West, NAI REOC vice president.

San Antonio recorded 45,228 sf of positive net absorption for the third quarter and 314,849 sf for the year.

Less than 250,000 sf of new retail space is expected to finish construction by the end of the year.

Erik Johnson, CCIM
Paul Johnson & Associates
4633 South 14th
Abilene, TX 79605
325 698-5661 office
325 692-8508 fax
325 439-0186 mobile
Erik@PaulJohnsonRealtors.com
www.pauljohnsonrealtors.com

WICHITA FALLS - 243 ACRES ANNEXED

Erik Johnson, CCIM (Paul Johnson and Associates) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 09:03:27 -0600

Part of the area was the former Saint-Gobain plant property.

- Erik Johnson

243 ACRES ANNEXED

WICHITA FALLS (Times Record News) - The city council voted Tuesday to annex 243 acres effective next month.

The annexation addresses land generally east of Allendale Rd. and south of Kell Blvd., including property owned by the North Texas Rural Rail Transportation District and Pitts Sand and Gravel Inc., as well as what was the Saint-Gobain Vetrotex property.

This excerpt below was published last year regarding the shut down of the materials plant.

- Erik Johnson

Saint-Gobain announced Monday afternoon that it is closing the Saint-Gobain Vetrotex America plant in Wichita Falls, leaving 720 employees out of work, along with the loss of a $4.3 million monthly payroll.

Since the Wichita Falls operation is the only stand-alone operation within the group (the High-Performance Materials Sector of Saint-Gobain), it was deemed economically unfeasible to keep it in operation, a company official said.

Olivier Duval, the director of strategy for the group, said Saint-Gobain sold its reinforcement and composites businesses to Owens-Corning late last year, but the Wichita Falls plant was excluded from the sale for anti-trust considerations, which he said was the major factor that led to the decision to close the closing the 787,000-square-foot plant that sits on 330 acres on the west side of Wichita Falls.

"As Saint-Gobain is no longer in the reinforcements and composite business, it is not economically feasible for us to keep the plant running as a stand-alone operation."

He also said, "We made the decision reluctantly. We did not have an alternative."

Duval said Saint-Gobain had been trying to find a buyer for plant since July 2006. But despite months of effort and negotiations with several prospective buyers, it failed to reach "an economically viable agreement, which would assure the future of the plant."

He also said, "It was Saint-Gobain's sincere hope, but many months of effort have not resulted in a happier outcome for Saint-Gobain Vetrotex America and its employees."

Ron Lane, president of the Wichita Falls plant, said they began telling employees of the decision to shut down Monday morning. Because of the number of shifts, he said it could take the rest of the week to inform all employees of the layoffs.

He said it will be a "progressive shutdown" beginning in June and that the actual closing will be completed in the third quarter of 2008.

Erik Johnson, CCIM
Paul Johnson & Associates
4633 South 14th
Abilene, TX 79605
325 698-5661 office
325 692-8508 fax
325 439-0186 mobile
Erik@PaulJohnsonRealtors.com
www.pauljohnsonrealtors.com

MINERALS, SURFACE RIGHTS, ROYALTY PAYMENTS

Erik Johnson, CCIM (Paul Johnson and Associates) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:13:45 -0600

More and more, this is becoming an issue. Our TAR promulgated Commercial contracts have language that transfers the sellers interest in any minerals. Sellers are wanting to retain any rights for future exploration or potentially rich producing sites.

This article is interesting and points out what can and cannot be reserved or conveyed.

Erik

MINERALS, SURFACE RIGHTS, ROYALTY PAYMENTS

COLLEGE STATION (Real Estate Center) - An oil and gas technical report that's been around since 1991 has been updated.

Minerals, Surface Rights and Royalty Payments by Real Estate Center Attorney Judon Fambrough updates court rulings regarding what are and are not minerals.

The present status of Texas law is that the term minerals or oil, gas and other minerals includes, as a matter of law, oil, gas and uranium. Sulphur and salt also are considered minerals.

Limestone, caliche, surface shale, building stones, sand, gravel and water cannot be reserved or conveyed. Coal, lignite and iron ore on or within 200 feet of the surface are not included if production would destroy or deplete the surface.

Erik Johnson, CCIM
Paul Johnson & Associates
4633 South 14th
Abilene, TX 79605
325 698-5661 office
325 692-8508 fax
325 439-0186 mobile
Erik@PaulJohnsonRealtors.com
www.pauljohnsonrealtors.com

Alamo Drafthouse's West Texas Roadshow

Erik Johnson, CCIM (Paul Johnson and Associates) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:18:48 -0500

Retail : Amarillo) 10/6/2009

A very unique concept. Too bad Abilene must fall short of the population threshold.

- Erik

AMARILLO (Amarillo Globe-News) - Alamo Drafthouse - deemed "the number one movie theater in the country" by Entertainment Weekly in 2005 - could be coming to West Texas as well as other parts of the state.

Austin developer Triple Tap Ventures, which opened its first Alamo cinema in downtown Austin in 1997 and now has seven locations, has its eyes on Amarillo, Lubbock, Midland-Odessa, Corpus Christi and San Marcos. The company also plans to build two more in Houston.

The new locations would propel the company toward its goal of having 30 theaters open nationwide by the end of 2010. The company expects to have 50 locations open within five years.

www.drafthouse.com

Erik Johnson, CCIM
Paul Johnson & Associates
4633 South 14th
Abilene, TX 79605
325 698-5661 office
325 692-8508 fax
325 439-0186 mobile
Erik@PaulJohnsonRealtors.com
www.pauljohnsonrealtors.com

High volts bolt Shermco growth in Irving

Erik Johnson, CCIM (Paul Johnson and Associates) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:11:24 -0500

(Industrial : Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington) 10/19/2009 12:00:00 PM

They have satellite offices in west Texas. I am glad to see them make a firm commitment to anchor themselves in our state.

- Erik

(Irving) - Shermco, a high-voltage electrical component testing and repair company, has purchased land for a new headquarters and plans to add 50 employees over the next several years as it positions for additional growth supporting the wind-energy industry.

Shermco Industries Inc., which now leases 95,000 sf at 2425 Pioneer Drive in Irving, bought 31 acres west of Valley View Lane and south of FAA Boulevard, also in Irving.

The company plans to initially build a 150,000-sf corporate office and electrical service/generator maintenance and repair facility that will open in 2015, the year Shermco's lease expires at its current location.

The land purchase will allow the company to expand to 250,000 sf or more beyond 2015 if growth continues,

Initial construction will be comprised of about 30,000 sf of office space and 120,000 sf of manufacturing area.

Shermco, which now employs about 250, plans to add about 50 jobs ranging from customer service positions to machine-shop workers, administrators, managers and engineers.

Driving much of the company's growth is Shermco's wind-power division, which does repairs and maintenance on wind turbine generators, among other wind-related equipment.

Erik Johnson, CCIM
Paul Johnson & Associates
4633 South 14th
Abilene, TX 79605
325 698-5661 office
325 692-8508 fax
325 439-0186 mobile
Erik@PaulJohnsonRealtors.com
www.pauljohnsonrealtors.com

Texas Conference and Deal Making

Erik Johnson, CCIM (Paul Johnson and Associates) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 09:44:05 -0500

Looking forward to the Texas ICSC conference in San Antonio.

- Erik Johnson

Date: 2 - 4 November, 2009

LocationHenry B. Gonzalez Convention Center
200 E Market St
San Antonio, TX 78205-2784

The Retailer Roundup will provide an opportunity for retailers to discuss their future business plans and, most importantly, increase visibility and networking contacts with shopping center owners and developers.

Erik Johnson, CCIM
Paul Johnson & Associates
4633 South 14th
Abilene, TX 79605
325 698-5661 office
325 692-8508 fax
325 439-0186 mobile
Erik@PaulJohnsonRealtors.com
www.pauljohnsonrealtors.com

BlackSwan discusses topic: Healthcare real estate

Erik Johnson, CCIM (Paul Johnson and Associates) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 09:02:08 -0500

Interesting quick take at the end of the discussion about Health Care Reform and it's impact on the business of the Medical Industry. It suggests that there will be more cost for Hospitals and less return in the future.

- Erik Johnson

BLACKSWAN interview with Luke Peterson

http://blackswanblog.com/2009/09/22/blackswan-interview-with-luke-peterson/comment-page-1/#comment-2633

Mr. Follini created the BLACKSWAN webzine, an innovative news and interview website highlighting BlackSwan real estate ideas - unexpected, impactful and successful.

BlackSwan discusses such topics as: Healthcare real estate (medical office buildings, acute care centers); senior housing; sustainable building investment; student housing; affinity club hospitality; fractional development; and private airport ownership/management; etc.

He is BLACKSWAN^TMs Publisher

Erik Johnson, CCIM
Paul Johnson & Associates
4633 South 14th
Abilene, TX 79605
325 698-5661 office
325 692-8508 fax
325 439-0186 mobile
Erik@PaulJohnsonRealtors.com
www.pauljohnsonrealtors.com

PARKING FACILITIES ARE A CASH COW..... POSSIBLY

Erik Johnson, CCIM (Paul Johnson and Associates) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 08:45:11 -0500

PARKING FACILITIES ARE A CASH COW..... POSSIBLY

By Michael Tepper and CJ Follini

"Hello my name is CJ Follini and I own a parking garage; more than one in fact." If you think this sounds like an excerpt from a substance abuse meeting you're not mistaken. Sometimes my professional real estate investment peers think I should only disclose my garage ownership to small, support groups of like-minded folks drinking coffee, people who know what its like to own a parking facility. But I decided to write this article in collaboration with Mike Tepper of the premier parking facility manager/owner - Standard Parking (ticker ‘STAN') - to announce a dirty little secret. Listen closely: PARKING GARAGES ARE FREAKIN CASH COWS!...........possibly. I add the last disclaimer because it all depends on proper management. That's where Mike and Standard Parking come in.

Operating a Parking Facility - More Than Just Parking Cars

When Standard Parking began providing parking management services back in 1929, the first facility was a Standard Oil filling station in Chicago. STAN also introduced the concept of paid airport parking in the United States at Cleveland's Hopkins International Airport in 1951. A lot has changed since then, but the overriding goal remains to be the development and promotion of a customized operating plans. Many owners operators fall into the "one-size-fits-all" operations mentality that fails to recognize parking as a service-oriented business that must consider the disparate needs of all facility users unique to that location. Thus we believe the primary key to success is to customize service programs according to the facility's customer base using technology for operating solutions to enhance the customer experience. If you believe as we do that the successful facility is akin to a "hotel for cars" then you are on the right path.

First Impressions - Customer Service

Parking facilities are an extension of the commercial asset and they often serve as the "front door" to the development. Ample lighting, brightly painted entrances, strategic yet simple signage should be mandatory while other environmental enhancements such as potted flowers and landscaping are certainly not excessive and promote a general feeling of quality and care. This also applies to customer service - it's critical to a client's brand, reputation and sustained business growth. Exceptional customer service begins in the garage lobby, at the valet stand or in the parking office. New and repeat parking transactions only occur if our employees exist as an integral component of the "customer service" chain. All it takes are a few unpleasant exchanges or nasty run-ins with garage staff before your monthlies flee in droves. Then a few reviews are posted to Citysearch or Yelp and your facility is in a death spiral. Remember, your service has to win over your customers on a monthly or even daily basis just like a hotel.

Generating Revenue

Obviously, a sound marketing plan is key to the success of any business. But how? First, start with a market survey including the customer groups you intend to target and where they are coming from both geographically and economically. Then literally map your competition and prepare a competitive analysis of their product (daily, night only, or 24/7), size, and of course, pricing. After this ask yourself a question - is their a gap? For example, no 24/7 garage; or no garage offering monthlies; or maybe no large vehicle parking; or maybe every other garage in the area is either full or too damn expensive.

Once you have identified your customers, your competition and what the "gap" is, how do you reach them? Innovative marketing programs focus on the importance of business partnerships and the value of integrating various media channels including: web sites, newsletters, customer brochures and email broadcasts. Below are some examples of how you can effectively promote products and services to build customer brand awareness and loyalty.

Partnerships - Event marketing is a very effective communications medium for increasing potential partnership marketing and promoting brand awareness and loyalty. Developing partnerships with professional sports teams; entertainment venues; cultural institutions (i.e. museums, theaters); and retail establishments/restaurants allows the parking operator to advertise its location to a larger audience without bearing the entire advertising burden.

Web Site Development - Surprise. Web sites can even be beneficial for parking facilities. They provide regional advertising through localized search engines like Google, Yelp or Citysearch and they offer links to your commercial partners. Enhanced web site functionality can introduce the facility to with prospective clients and enhance communication with existing clients especially your monthlies with special offers, announcements, etc.

Radio Advertising - When radio advertising is used effectively, it can be a good investment that will help you increase top line revenue. This is an extremely efficient way to market parking facilities for sporting events and concerts.

Proper Pricing - The best for last. The essential ingredient to effective marketing is the proper pricing. With the use of today's parking software, you can create optimal parking rate structures for the facility by analyzing ticket data and modeling your rate structure on user tendencies.

Operation managers and marketing staff can view information such as duration of stay statistics, entry and exit peak times, and ticket transaction volumes to model different rate scenarios. Revised revenue projections can be obtained by inputting historical ticket data into these beneficial price structures. For example, if you own the only 24/7 garage in the neighborhood, then maybe a more expensive overnight rate is warranted and it won't bother your daily business users or your monthlies. Or if you notice that you have plenty of short timers ( 1 -2 hrs) then a higher first-hour rate while maintaining the same daily maximum will increase revenue while only affecting your most transient (and probably not your regular) users.

Expense Reduction Through Automation

Labor costs are one of the highest operating expenses for most parking facilities. To minimize facility operating expenses and maximize labor efficiency, the use of automated parking access and revenue control systems provides a cost efficient way to conduct cash transactions. Furthermore, it expedites traffic flow during peak exit times by eliminating the bottlenecks that typically occur in the cashiering lanes at the facility's exit. Another benefit not visibly apparent with automation is the added audit control by removing human error and theft during the cash transaction process. Most facilities can experience a 3 - 5% increase in revenues just from the error/theft reduction of automation depending on the type of audit program previously conducted.

Although there are no parking employees stationed at the exit in an automated facility, it does not mean that customer service is also non-existent. Customer service is provided through intercom devices at each of the entrance and exit lanes, as well as at each pay station. With the advancement in audio and video technology, customer service representatives can easily assist parking patrons from a centrally located office. What's even more impressive is that the centrally located office does not have to be in that same facility. However, I recommend going automated only during overnight hours if you have the normal nightly drop-off in occupancy.

This type of off-site monitoring is referred to as a "Central Command Center"concept.

Some of the benefits of the "Central Command' concept include:

Ability to monitor and manage multiple locations from one garage office.
"Command Center' manager can monitor transient and contract garage capacity at each location.
Monitor alarms with the ability to dispatch a customer service rep to address issues as necessary.
Ability to compile and manage revenue by individual location or as a full portfolio.
In addition there is the potential for staff reductions (enhanced cost savings) as the locations can be managed from a single site thus allowing for the sharing of personnel across facilities versus a need to have personnel on-site at each facility regularly.
The "Central Command" concept can be achieved by installing a DSL or T1 connection between the various garages and placing additional work stations at the designated "Command Center".

The business case to justify the capital investment of an automated parking access and revenue control system will vary based on several factors. While the automation equipment and software can range from $250,000 - $500,000, a mid-sized garage can recoup the investment from labor savings within three years and even faster in expensive labor cities like New York or Boston. Better yet, management companies like Standard Parking offer attractive financing for such systems.

Debit Cards - Debit card technology offers an alternative to the monthly parking program for people who travel to their office only a few times per week or at different times during the day when all day parking specials are typically not offered. In the past, the revenue from this potential customer base would have been lost to remote parking lots offering low rates but inconvenient to the worker's office location. New software allows the debit card to be encoded in a variety of ways thus accommodating corporate groups and pay as you go programs.

Value Cards- This magnetic striped card activates upon first use and can be programmed to expire as required by the customer group. This technology provides the flexibility for hotels, medical offices, and building tenants to deliver these parking access devices in advance of their guest or visitor's arrival with easy to use to instructions.

Final Tips From A Garage Owner

I offer the following drawn from my (CJ Follini) mistakes and successes as an owner.

Always perform a structural engineer's report prior to purchase; at approximately $30,000 - $50,000 its money well-spent that could save you hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Prepare a market survey mapping competitive garages and their pricing.
Target facilities with at least 50% of revenue derived from monthly contracts.
Strongly consider switch to automation especially if the facility is or will be 24/7.
Analyze hourly usage reports to identify potential revenue gains from customized pricing such as reducing hourly increment from 15 - 20 to 5 - 10.
Treat your ownership as if it were a hotel. Presentation. Brand. Service
ALWAYS HIRE A PROFESSIONAL FACILITY OPERATOR such as Standard Parking

Michael Tepper is Senior Vice President of Standard Parking for the Boston Region.

CJ Follini is the Publisher of BLACKSWAN.

Erik Johnson, CCIM
Paul Johnson & Associates
4633 South 14th
Abilene, TX 79605
325 698-5661 office
325 692-8508 fax
325 439-0186 mobile
Erik@PaulJohnsonRealtors.com
www.pauljohnsonrealtors.com

TEXAS: Deep in the Heart of Business: No. 1 state for business and job growth for the fourth year in a row

Erik Johnson, CCIM (Paul Johnson and Associates) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 08:35:30 -0500

TEXAS: Deep in the Heart of Business

The Lone Star State is committed to doing whatever it takes to keep Texas wide open for investment and development.

Texas has a well-earned reputation as the best state in the U.S. to do business. Under Gov. Rick Perry's leadership, the Lone Star State's business climate continues to garner national attention. Texas offers a favorable tax climate, business-driven tort reform, and low cost of doing business.
Companies continue to flock to Texas because of several business advantages, including having one of the lowest tax burdens in the country-including no personal income tax. The many global companies that call Texas home greatly enrich its multi-faceted, wide-open-for-business landscape.

In July 2009, Texas was declared the winner of the "Best Business Climate" ranking by Business Facilities. We measured a range of critical development factors including cost of labor, incentives, infrastructure and tax climate. Texas, for the second time, also was the number one state on the Fortune 500 and 1000 lists of states that are home to the most company headquarters.

Texas is a top-ranked global destination for foreign direct investment. If Texas were a nation, its economy would be ranked 12th based its 2008 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $1.18 trillion, ahead of the countries India, South Korea and Mexico. In 2008, Texas exports were valued at $192 billion, up 14 percent from 2007.

Texas' innovative, deal-closing fund, the Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF), provides incentives to businesses looking to expand or relocate to Texas, creating jobs and strengthening the economy. To date TEF has awarded more than $377 million and has announced the creation of nearly 54,000 new jobs in the state, generating more than $14 billion in capital investments.

Another incentive tool is the Texas Emerging Technology Fund (ETF), designed to expedite the development and commercialization of new technologies and to attract and create jobs in technology fields. As of March 2009, the ETF has awarded more than $234 million to Texas companies and universities.

Overall, the Texas economy continues to grow at nearly three times the national average. From December 2007 to December 2008, Texas accounted for 80 percent of entire job gains in the nine states with increased employment. Unemployment rates in Texas have remained consistently below the national average. In December 2008, Gov. Perry announced the creation of Caterpillar's worldwide assembly, test and paint operations in Seguin, which is expected to create more than 1,400 new jobs and bring nearly $170 million in capital investment. Texas was proud to be ranked the No. 1 state for business and job growth for the fourth year in a row by CEOs in Chief Executive Magazine in March 2009.

Texas follows a comprehensive job-creation strategy focused on six key industry clusters: Advanced Technology and Manufacturing; Energy; Aerospace and Defense; Biotechnology and Life Sciences; Information and Computer Technology; Petroleum Refining and Chemical Products.

Among U.S. states, Texas ranks second in the number of patents issued annually and third in investments into venture-backed companies. Texas also continues to provide fertile ground for biotechnology and life sciences. According to Business Facilities' 2008 Rankings Report, Texas ranks as one of the five top states for overall biotechnology strength and in the top ten for bioscience research funding.

Spanning more than 267,000 square miles of land, Texas is a state with abundant natural resources and energy. Texas is the No. 1 producer of oil and gas and refined chemical products in the United States. The state's marketed production of natural gas represents one-third of total U.S. supply. As an oil and gas producer, Texas is a global leader contributing approximately 5.3 percent of worldwide refinery capacity.

Texas has been labeled one of the most affordable places to live in the U.S. The state's cost of living composite index for most metro areas is lower than the national composite index of 100.

Texas' beautiful landscapes, warm weather, excellent schools and southern hospitality make the Lone Star state's quality of life unmatched. With endless miles of rivers, coastline, mountain ranges and national forests, it's no wonder Texas has something for everyone. That same diversity extends to the people who call the state home, creating a rich cultural heritage that makes Texas extraordinary.

No matter what the industry, the Lone Star State is committed to doing what it takes to keep Texas Wide Open for Business.

Erik Johnson, CCIM
Paul Johnson & Associates
4633 South 14th
Abilene, TX 79605
325 698-5661 office
325 692-8508 fax
325 439-0186 mobile
Erik@PaulJohnsonRealtors.com
www.pauljohnsonrealtors.com

Business Facilities 2009 State Rankings

Erik Johnson, CCIM (Paul Johnson and Associates) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 08:27:08 -0500

Business Facilities 2009 State Rankings

This year's annual Rankings Report arrives as every state in the nation is struggling with the worst economic calamity since the Great Depression. The downturn adds an increased urgency to the competition between the states to maintain the economic base they have, and to move as quickly as possible to establish the emerging industries of the 21st century.

As in past years, we have continued to refine and upgrade our rankings, adding new data sources and fine-tuning the criteria we apply to produce the results. We have tried to give special weight this year to new incentive programs and other state initiatives that are specifically targeted toward improving that state's standing within a ranking category.

We took special care to make sure that our evaluations of state rankings in two critical categories, Greenest States and Overall Biotechnology Strength, reflect the diversity and scope of each state's efforts in these two growth sectors. Along with our traditional "flagship" ranking, Best Business Climate, a place at the top of our biotech and green rankings has emerged as perhaps the most coveted designation we can bestow. As we reported in the March issue of Business Facilities, many states are protecting their emerging biotech sectors from budget cuts. Our June cover story, "Building a Greener Economy," revealed that the movement for sustainable development, smart growth and green building is now a key driver of overall economic development.

INFRASTRUCTURE, HEALTH AND SAFETY ARE ASSESSED

Among the new categories you will find in our 2009 Rankings Report are rankings for leaders in Transportation Infrastructure and Workforce Health and Safety. These concerns have moved to the top of the national agenda as economic stimulus funds are targeted to shovel-ready infrastructure projects, and containing the spiraling cost of healthcare has become a top priority for the new Administration in Washington. There is no question that transportation infrastructure and the availability of adequate and cost-effective healthcare are becoming important components of the site selection decision-making process.

We again give a tip of our hat to CQ Press, which publishes a multitude of statistics on states and cities annually, and the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), which in tandem with Battelle produces the most comprehensive data set for state biotech initiatives.

We believe the current economic environment gives special bragging rights to the winners in our 2009 Rankings Report. We congratulate all of this year's top-ranked locations, and, as always, we invite your suggestions for new categories for next year's rankings.

Erik Johnson, CCIM
Paul Johnson & Associates
4633 South 14th
Abilene, TX 79605
325 698-5661 office
325 692-8508 fax
325 439-0186 mobile
Erik@PaulJohnsonRealtors.com
www.pauljohnsonrealtors.com

The West Texas District of The North Texas CCIM Chapter

Erik Johnson, CCIM (Paul Johnson and Associates) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 08:13:09 -0500

The West Texas District of The North Texas CCIM Chapter

Erik Johnson, CCIM
Paul Johnson & Associates
4633 South 14th
Abilene, TX 79605
325 698-5661 office
325 692-8508 fax
325 439-0186 mobile
Erik@PaulJohnsonRealtors.com
www.pauljohnsonrealtors.com

San Angelo approves next phase of Hickory Aquifer pipeline

Erik Johnson, CCIM (Paul Johnson and Associates) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 11:19:14 -0500

San Angelo approves next phase of Hickory Aquifer pipeline

All Texas communities especially west Texas are jockying for water rights and supply contracts. Abilene still has future plans to build a reservoir northeast of the city.

Erik Johnson

(Infrastructure & Transportation : San Angelo) 10/6/2009

The next phase in acquiring another water supply for San Angelo is underway.

The City Council today approved preliminary design of a system to pump, transport and treat groundwater from the Hickory Aquifer, instructing the water utility department and Carollo Engineers to go ahead with the start of Phase I, which includes checking the existing wells and proceeding with design and engineering work on the project, which ultimately will add 10 million gallons a day to San Angelo's drinking water capacity.

The first phase is estimated to cost $120 million, said Hutch Mussalam of Carollo Engineers, the firm working with the city on the project.

Mussalam told councilors that after making a multi-point evaluation of two potential routes - a direct line from the aquifer to the city, and an indirect route that would carry the water to the city's existing line and pump system from O.H. Ivie Reservoir - the direct route had significantly more benefits and lower costs.

[San Angelo Standard-Times]

Erik Johnson, CCIM
Paul Johnson & Associates
4633 South 14th
Abilene, TX 79605
325 698-5661 office
325 692-8508 fax
325 439-0186 mobile
Erik@PaulJohnsonRealtors.com
www.pauljohnsonrealtors.com

Abilene Apartment Occupancy Report

Erik Johnson, CCIM (Paul Johnson and Associates) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 11:09:48 -0500

The new Apartments built over the past 24 months have put a lot of rooms in the market so the supply side is high. Another reason for the decline is likely due to the number of people buying 1st time homes with the Federal incentive program that ends very soon.

There is heavy discussion regarding extension of the program in to 2010. The figure may increase to $10,000.

Erik Johnson

Abilene ALN apartment news August 2009
(Multifamily : Abilene) 10/2/2009

Abilene Metro Summary*
August 2009

	Occupancy	% Change	Effective Rent	% Change
Aug. 2008	Aug. 2009	Aug. 2008	Aug. 2009
Same Store	98.1%	91.3%	-7.0	$638	$580	-9.1
Overall Market**	98.1%	91.3%	-7.0	$638	$580	-9.1

*Statistics do not include income restricted, student or senior independent housing.
**Includes properties still in initial lease-up

For the complete ALN Apartment Report, visit the ALN Systems website.

[ALN Apartment Data]

Erik Johnson, CCIM
Paul Johnson & Associates
4633 South 14th
Abilene, TX 79605
325 698-5661 office
325 692-8508 fax
325 439-0186 mobile
Erik@PaulJohnsonRealtors.com
www.pauljohnsonrealtors.com

World's Largest Functioning Wind Farm

Erik Johnson, CCIM (Paul Johnson and Associates) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:49:52 -0500

ROSCOE TURBINES TURN ON "Just another notch in the belt for Texas that leads the nation in wind Green Energy. Oncor is speeding along to get the transmission lines to deliver this power. Stay tuned for more good news in west Texas." - Erik ROSCOE (Abilene Reporter News) – Phase IV of the Roscoe Wind Complex began operation Thursday, making it the world’s largest functioning wind farm. Equipped with 627 turbines capable of generating more than 780 megawatts, the wind farm is the flagship project for E.ON North America. The Roscoe Wind Complex first began generating electricity in February 2008 when Phase One was complete. Phase Two went live one month later, and Phase Three began operations in March. Altogether, the complex can provide power for 230,000 homes.

Erik Johnson, CCIM
Paul Johnson & Associates
4633 South 14th
Abilene, TX 79605
325 698-5661 office
325 692-8508 fax
325 439-0186 mobile
Erik@PaulJohnsonRealtors.com
www.pauljohnsonrealtors.com

Wind Energy Program at Amarillo College

Erik Johnson, CCIM (Paul Johnson and Associates) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:19:56 -0500

Record number of students at Amarillo area colleges
(Education : Amarillo) 9/30/2009

When the economy is down one of the best use of ones time is to educate yourself to create more value on your resume. If you have a job, then you may want to take some continued education to set yourself apart from your collegues and competitors.

- Erik Johnson

(Amarillo, Canyon, Clarendon, and Borger) - Students seeking undergraduate and graduate education at area colleges are filling seats in record numbers as Amarillo College (AC) and West Texas A&M University (WT) are boasting all-time highs in enrollment.

AC bested both its fall enrollment last year and its 2004 record high. The college counts 11,100 students this fall, compared with 10,122 last year, a 9.7 percent increase. Before this fall, the school's top year counted 10,701 students.

President Paul Matney attributes the addition of about 1,000 students to four factors:

Affordability;
Personal economic pressures;
Student desire for more training or retraining to improve job opportunities,
More students who earned academic scholarships while at Caprock and Palo Duro high schools. The number of graduates from those high schools who earned scholarships to attend AC now stands at 256, up by 60 students from last year.

The wind energy program at AC, which offers two certificates and one degree, has enrolled 330 students.

WT has enrolled the largest freshman class - 1,213 students - in its 99-year history. The class also counts 550 out-of-region students, primarily from New Mexico and Oklahoma, compared with 410 last year. Dan Garcia, vice president for enrollment management believes the increase has two components: cost and school awareness.

This year's overall enrollment, 7,770, is up 235 from this time last year when 7,535 were on the rolls. Enrollment rose modestly in all categories: graduate students, undergraduates, transfers and freshmen. It's also the most students since a peak high in the 1970s.

Clarendon College, with three campuses, a dual-credit high school program, a distance-learning option and other programs, enrolled 1,431 students, which is up by 84 from last fall.

The college has 50 students majoring in wind energy. The Pampa campus, with cosmetology and welding, accounts for most of the uptick, growing from 207 to 289 students.

Frank Phillips College enrolled 1,182 students this fall in academic and workforce classes. The number is down from 1,242 last year.

Erik Johnson, CCIM
Paul Johnson & Associates
4633 South 14th
Abilene, TX 79605
325 698-5661 office
325 692-8508 fax
325 439-0186 mobile
Erik@PaulJohnsonRealtors.com
www.pauljohnsonrealtors.com

Lauren Engineers and Constructors Expansion

Erik Johnson, CCIM (Paul Johnson and Associates) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:52:56 -0500

This is great news for Abilene and for Texas. Learn more about our local Lauren Engineers & Constructors Corporate Headquarters in YOUR town.

http://www.laurenec.com/comp_profile.php

- Erik Johnson

Abilene engineering firm expanding rapidly
(Employment : Abilene) 9/30/2009

Lauren Engineers and Constructors are currently manufacturing galvanized carbon steel pipes for the $1.2 billion dollar construction project - Century Plant - near Fort Stockton, where, once online, a plant will separate carbon dioxide from valuable methane gas as part of the natural gas production process.

Lauren's role in the project has led to the hiring of some 60 workers since March 2009. Welders have made up more than 40 percent of the hires.

Lauren's ability to put together massive components for heavy industry will help the company expand its Abilene plant, with hopes to grow from about 140 employees to 250 or so by the end of 2011.

Construction of Century Plant is broken into two phases, and set to be completed in 2011.

[Abilene Reporter-News]

Erik Johnson, CCIM
Paul Johnson & Associates
4633 South 14th
Abilene, TX 79605
325 698-5661 office
325 692-8508 fax
325 439-0186 mobile
Erik@PaulJohnsonRealtors.com
www.pauljohnsonrealtors.com

WIND ENERGY - TRANSMISSION LINE ROUTES SUBMITTED

Erik Johnson, CCIM (Paul Johnson and Associates) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:38:46 -0500

I have leased space at a facility in Sweetwater to the company that is contracted by ONCOR to install transmission lines as part of the Tonkawa substation. System 3 is working on many projects in Texas. Go to their website for more information. http://www.system3inc.com/html/wind.html Installation of 155 new GE 1.5 MW transformers Installation of the concrete slabs for transformers Installation of control wiring from wind turbines to controller Installation of secondary cabling from turbines to transformers Installation of ground grid and grounding system 225,000 of new 35Kv U.G. Distribution System Fiber optic communication - Erik Johnson TRANSMISSION LINE ROUTES SUBMITTED ABILENE (Abilene Reporter News) - Oncor, a Dallas-based energy company, has submitted plans to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) of Texas for the construction of wind energy transmission lines. The PUC has 180 days to review the company's preferred and alternative routes for the lines, which would help carry an additional 18,000 megawatts of electricity to consumers. The PUC has already approved as a priority the construction of the new transmission lines, which are designated primarily for renewable energy sources such as wind turbines. If one of the proposed routes is approved, the next step for the company would be to pursue right-of-way acquisitions, allowing the company access to easements and land purchase agreements where necessary. Concerned parties whose land the lines may cross, or residents with other concerns, can request intervener status, triggering a legal hearing. According to Oncors website... Press Release 08.26.09 Oncor Seeks Stimulus Funds for Real-Time Dynamic Transmission Line Study Oncor - Oncor continued to expand on its smart grid leadership position by applying for government stimulus funds to create a unique installation of tension-monitoring equipment capable of real-time, transmission line capacity analysis. If awarded $3.5 million from the Department of Energy for a regional demonstration project, Oncor would install technology on eight high-voltage lines in Bell, Bosque, Falls, Hill, McLennan and Williamson counties in central Texas as part of a three-and-a-half-year study. Oncor filed its application with the DOE yesterday. Today is the deadline to apply for regional demonstration project funds through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. “Oncor is committed to developing technology that improves service and reliability, as well as lowering costs to consumers, “ said Bob Shapard, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Oncor. “In this project, Oncor would be testing sensors in 26 locations that would indicate how much additional capacity is available on a transmission circuit. With this real-time information, Oncor could manage electricity flow from north to south more effectively. Just like cars traveling a congested highway during rush hour, electricity moving through heavy traffic sometimes has trouble getting where it needs to go. Knowing how much room there might be on a line real-time gives Oncor much more flexibility.” Oncor would contribute $3.8 million in capital costs to fund the demonstration project. Over the life of the study, Oncor will incorporate readings from the dynamic line-rating devices into its transmission management system. Oncor plans to analyze the impact of the new technology on the congested north-south transmission corridor, determine a method for establishing day-ahead readings and help develop easy-to-use tools for managing transmission grids. The technology will undergo a cost-benefit analysis to evaluate whether it delivers real savings. “This project could be a bellwether for other transmission grid operators,” Shapard said. “Although this would be an experimental project, Oncor believes the technology is promising.” Earlier this year, Oncor applied for $317 million in stimulus funds for three projects, including $200 million in grants for Oncor’s advanced metering system installation. Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC (Oncor) is a regulated electric distribution and transmission business that uses superior asset management skills to provide reliable electricity delivery to consumers. Oncor operates the largest distribution and transmission system in Texas, delivering power to approximately 3 million homes and businesses and operating more than 117,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines in Texas. While Oncor is owned by a limited number of investors (including majority owner, Energy Future Holdings Corp.), Oncor is managed by its Board of Directors, which is comprised of a majority of independent directors. Media Carol Peters 972.791.6200

Erik Johnson, CCIM
Paul Johnson & Associates
4633 South 14th
Abilene, TX 79605
325 698-5661 office
325 692-8508 fax
325 439-0186 mobile
Erik@PaulJohnsonRealtors.com
www.pauljohnsonrealtors.com

Texas Unemployment Rate - Abilene in Good Shape

Erik Johnson, CCIM (Paul Johnson and Associates) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:25:36 -0500

According to the recent report by the Texas Real Estate Center the following data shows a favorable unemployment rate for most of west Texas major cities.

Erik

Texas Metropolitan Areas Ranked by Unemployment Rate, August 2009

Rank Metro Area Unemployment Rate, Percent

1 Amarillo 5.6

2 Lubbock 5.7

3 Abilene 6.1

3 Midland 6.1

5 College Station-Bryan 6.4

5 Texarkana 6.4

7 San Angelo 6.7

8 Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood 7.0

8 San Antonio 7.0

10 Austin-Round Rock 7.2

11 Waco 7.3

12 Corpus Christi 7.8

12 Tyler 7.8

14 Victoria 7.9

14 Wichita Falls 7.9

Texas 8.1

16 Dallas-Plano-Irving 8.2

17 Fort Worth-Arlington 8.3

17 Longview 8.3

19 Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown 8.4

20 Sherman-Denison 8.5

21 Laredo 9.1

22 Odessa 9.3

23 El Paso 9.6

24 Brownsville-Harlingen 10.5

25 Beaumont-Port Arthur 10.8

26 McAllen-Edinburg-Mission 11.4

Source: Texas Workforce Commission

Erik Johnson, CCIM
Paul Johnson & Associates
4633 South 14th
Abilene, TX 79605
325 698-5661 office
325 692-8508 fax
325 439-0186 mobile
Erik@PaulJohnsonRealtors.com
www.pauljohnsonrealtors.com

Whole Foods Market purchase RECs from E.ON wind farm

Erik Johnson, CCIM (Paul Johnson and Associates) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:32:41 -0500

Sweetwater Reporter News (Wind Enegy)
InboxX

Whole Foods Market® helps fund new wind farm Written by Staff Reports
Wednesday, 16 September 2009

Whole Foods Market (NASDAQ: WFMI) today announced the completion of its 2009 landmark 776 million-kilowatt-hour purchase of renewable energy credits (RECs) from wind farms. The RECs are equal to 100 percent of the Company's electricity use in its North American locations, and nearly 90 percent of this year's purchase is helping to fund E.ON Climate & Renewables' (EC&R) recently-completed Texas-based Panther Creek wind farm.
"Whole Foods Market is working hard to be a leader in environmental stewardship and to make sure that our investment drives new wind power growth for the country. Buying nearly all of our 2009 renewable energy credits from Panther Creek to help bring new power from the wind farm to the grid is a great example of that," said Lee Matecko, Whole Foods Market global vice president of Construction and Store Development. "And as a Texas-based company, it also feels great to support a Texas-based wind farm. We appreciate Renewable Choice Energy for bringing this partnership together."
Continuing its commitment to clean energy, nearly 90 percent of the RECs Whole Foods Market has purchased for 2009 came from a Big Spring, Texas-based wind farm, which is 50 miles east of Midland. The project is built and operated by EC&R North America, a renewable energy developer headquartered in Chicago, with development offices in Austin and Denver. The remaining RECs come from a number of different wind farms in locations across the U.S. and Canada. The total purchase of 776,115,000 kilowatt hours, the largest to date by a U.S. retailer, was made in partnership with Boulder, Colo.-based Renewable Choice Energy.
The Panther Creek wind farm began operating in its first phase in 2008, and its final phase of construction was recently completed. Whole Foods Market's purchase of RECs from Panther Creek wind farm has provided valuable additional financing to the project to support its 2009 completion.
"Support from companies like Whole Foods Market with partners like Renewable Choice Energy creates a valuable revenue stream for us that helps make new wind farms like Panther Creek possible," said Dean Tuel, vice president of Energy Marketing for E.ON Climate & Renewables North America. "EC&R is developing a number of large scale wind projects in the U.S. over the coming years. Extra funding from renewable energy credit sales will play a crucial role in this growth."
Whole Foods Market has been a leading supporter of renewable energy development since 2006, when it became the first Fortune 500 Company to offset 100 percent of its electricity use with RECs from wind farms provided by Renewable Choice Energy. The continued purchase of RECs is part of the Company's comprehensive energy commitment, which also includes plans to more than triple the number of stores with solar panels and to invest in energy-reduction opportunities while retrofitting existing stores with energy-efficient lighting, equipment and mechanical components.
"The Environmental Protection Agency commends Whole Foods Market for their continued commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by purchasing green power," said Kathleen Hogan, director of the Climate Protection Partnerships Division at EPA. "As a partner in EPA's Green Power Partnership, and by supporting renewable energy, Whole Foods Market is helping to move our nation into a clean energy future."
The 2009 Whole Foods Market wind power purchase will help avoid up to 868 million pounds of carbon dioxide pollution. This has an environmental benefit that's similar to taking more than 72,000 cars off of the roads for a year, or planting nearly 3.6 million mature trees.
"Our work with Whole Foods Market and E.ON Climate & Renewables North America is an example of how corporate responsibility initiatives are directly driving clean solutions to today's energy and environmental challenges," said Quayle Hodek, CEO of Renewable Choice Energy. "We're excited to connect our forward-thinking customers with meaningful renewable energy projects across the country to help reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and create a new energy economy in the U.S."
Learn more about environmental initiatives at Whole Foods Market at blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/category/green-action or download high resolution photos from the press room: wholefoodsmarket.com/pressroom/photo-gallery. Read more about how RECs work at renewablechoice.com/business-about-renewable-energy.

Erik Johnson, CCIM
Paul Johnson & Associates
4633 South 14th
Abilene, TX 79605
325 698-5661 office
325 692-8508 fax
325 439-0186 mobile
Erik@PaulJohnsonRealtors.com
www.pauljohnsonrealtors.com

Dr. Mark Dotzour speaks at the North Texas Chapter SIOR

Erik Johnson, CCIM (Paul Johnson and Associates) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:45:30 -0500

I shot over to Highland Park to the Park City Club in Dallas yesterday to hear from the RECON economic forecaster, Mark Dotzour at the North Texas Chapter SIOR monthly meeting. It was a great opportunity to meet a few of the SIOR designees and directors. Craig Jones, Vice President of the Chapter was there along with the President, John Fulton. They appeared to have approximately 40 attendees at the meeting.

Everyone I spoke to expressed and agreed that they were definately looking hard for deals and doing a lot of work to get them financed and closed. It's always good to talk with professionals from around the state who have hands on current data on the economy.

Erik Johnson, CCIM

North Texas Chapter SIOR September 2009 Meeting

TUESDAY, September 15, 2009

4:00 p.m. - Executive Committee

4:30 pam. - Member & Guest Cocktails

5:00 p.m. - Program

Park City Club
5956 Sherry Lane, 17th Floor
Dallas, TX 75225

Program Back by popular demand,
Dr. Mark G. Dotzour
Chief Economist and Director of Research for the
Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University

The Outlook for the Economy and
Commercial Real Estate

Erik Johnson, CCIM
Paul Johnson & Associates
4633 South 14th
Abilene, TX 79605
325 698-5661 office
325 692-8508 fax
325 439-0186 mobile
Erik@PaulJohnsonRealtors.com
www.pauljohnsonrealtors.com

The aftert effect of Cowboy Stadium making a win

Erik Johnson, CCIM (Paul Johnson and Associates) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:04:25 -0500

And it could not have happened too soon. Just in time for the '09-'10 NFL season and the Cowboys are off to a great start. For my Yahoo FF team's sake I hope that Barber gets the lions share of carries and TD's this year!

Erik

Cowboy Stadium already making a win
(Retail : Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington) 9/15/2009

(Arlington) - The Dallas Cowboys' new $1.15 billion stadium has local retailers developing strategies to take advantage of the influx of potential customers that comes with the start of football season.

Some numbers have been tracked and indicate what city officials hope will become a positive return on investment.

The stadium effect, by the numbers:

Arlington's sales tax increase for May - 2.2 percent;
17 additional flights to the municipal airport for the George Strait concert;
60 businesses that have applied for "entrepreneurial permits;"
4,000 hotel rooms sold for George Strait concert;
80,000 capacity of Cowboys Stadium in Arlington;
$325 million - Arlington's share of the stadium construction costs,

Local sales and use tax collections in Arlington are faring better than nearby cities:

Arlington (May 2008) $5.87 million; (May 2009) $6 million; (change) 2.2 percent.

Half-year totals:

City	Jan.-June 2008	Jan.-June 2009	Change
Arlington	$54.9 million	$53.8 million	-1.9%
Dallas	$156.6 million	$142.7 million	-8.8%
Fort Worth	$70.6 million	$67.1 million	-5.0%

[Dallas Business Journal]

Erik Johnson, CCIM
Paul Johnson & Associates
4633 South 14th
Abilene, TX 79605
325 698-5661 office
325 692-8508 fax
325 439-0186 mobile
Erik@PaulJohnsonRealtors.com
www.pauljohnsonrealtors.com