The Construction Source

Town of Paradise | 11 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Paradise has taken even more steps to cre- ate an environment for business to thrive. Industrial sites have been established at Octagon pond as well as a site known as Paradise Business Park, but Cumby notes there are yet sixty more acres the commu- nity can develop in the future. That land may indeed be necessary because Cumby anticipates occupancy rates in existing sites to be filled as early as the next 18 months. “We’ve been talking to several major oil companies, particularly inHouston and Norway ... and we’ve heard some inter- esting proposals that may lead to substan- tial development or maybe the creation of a major safety training facility here, and more ... we’re confident that we’ll see fur- ther growth.” Cumby acknowledges that the region’s oil & gas deposits are crucial economic drivers. As energy industry has grown, Paradise has experienced success in attracting dynamic companies such as Score Group and Weatherford Interna- tional, both are international manufactur- ers and suppliers of products and services crucial to the industry. Cumby says having successful compa- nies like Score and Weatherford sends an important message to other companies, that they too may find a happy home in Paradise. At the same, town leaders con- tinue to market the community, field calls and visits with companies far and wide to promote all that Paradise has to offer. Cumby expresses optimism that Paradise will continue to prosper, and he says that the economic benefits gained from indus- trial development have already contribut- ed to the town’s ability to provide greater recreational opportunities and increased public services for resident. More will come in following the strategic plan. As Cumby says, “We’re much different than what we were a few years ago recreation- al facilities, schools, affordable housing, highways, the whole picture has changed ... we’ve got programs in place that think of everyone, programs for seniors, pro- grams for youth, programs for children, programs to improve commercial devel- opment ... we’re trying to ensure that Par- adise can be a paradise for everyone.”