The city of Rio Hondo’s Economic Development Corporation recently purchased two buildings in town in effort to boost economic activity, create jobs and create tax revenue.
The old Fred’s Drug Store was purchased for $87,000 and it’s ready for any kind of business lease or purchase. Fred’s is a located on Harold and FM 106.
“It is ready to be occupied,” said Ben Medina, Rio Hondo city administrator. “We are looking for people that would like to have a business in the city of Rio Hondo.”
Medina said the building is for sale or lease and is located right in downtown Rio Hondo.
“They’re some things we need in this community,” Medina said. “We need somebody to sell new clothes or a drug store.”
The second building purchased by the city is the old Texaco Gas Station located on FM 106 and Mira Mar Road.
“Right now we want to demolish the building,” Medina said. “We want to clean the site and up the site up for sale so a business can buy it from the EDC to set up shop in Rio Hondo.”
What’s next?
Medina said the city would not shy away from incubating the right kind of business for a short period of time if needed.
“Occupying this building (Fred’s Drug Store) would create jobs in our community and that is our goal,” Medina said.
The Economic Development Corporation was started a few years ago.
“We have done grand openings events, we have provided facade improvements to local business,” Medina said.
Some of the EDC’s other projects include demolition of dilapidated structures and parking lot improvement.
The goal of the EDC is to create new jobs and investments for the city of Rio Hondo.
