Focus on Sherman

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Sherman, Texas means business.

Sherman is located directly in the path of the rapid northward expansion of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Sherman’s outstanding infrastructure is already in place and prepared for growth both in business and industry, but also community. We want to provide a healthy climate for companies and the families they support. Conveniently located on U.S. Highway 75 at U.S. Highway 82, we are one hour from Dallas/Fort Worth. Nearby Lake Texoma guarantees a bountiful source of water meeting both municipal and recreational needs. Finally, the sales tax for economic development, administered by the Sherman Economic Development Corporation (SEDCO), provides the necessary incentives to attract large, high-quality employers.

SEDCO

Growing existing area businesses and attracting new businesses is what Sherman Economic Development Corporation (SEDCO) is all about. SEDCO is always available to assist with the business information you need about Sherman and the technology corridor, from comprehensive fact sheets on 800 acres of industrial sites in Sherman to useful information on living in Sherman, Texas and the surrounding area.

The SEDCO Mission

To grow and diversify the Sherman and surrounding area economies through the addition of new jobs and investment of primary employers.

The SEDCO Strategy

• Retention and expansion of existing industries
• New and small business development
• Targeted marketing and attraction of new businesses
• Training, real estate and infrastructure development
• Use of aggressive incentives to support the above strategies

To receive more information about what SEDCO has to offer and information on Sherman industrial sites, call SEDCO at: (800) 981-2566 or (903) 868-2566 or fax: (903) 813-0403. Visit our website at www.sedco.org.

Sherman Facts

The City of Sherman, Texas, is located at the crossroads of U.S. highway 75 and U.S. highway 82 in North Texas. The county seat of Grayson County, Sherman is a community of 36,000 residents and home to several Fortune 100 industries. Rich in opportunities for business and pleasure, Sherman is just 65 miles north of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.

Industrial Facts

Industrial Real Estate Contact:
Sherman Economic Development Corp. (SEDCO)
(800) 981-2566 or (903) 868-2566
www.sedco.org

Industrial Sites:
Available Acreage: 850
• Northgate Park I: 350 acres
• Northgate Park II: 200 acres
• Midway Industrial Park: 300 acres

Location:
• Atlanta: 780 miles
• Boston: 1,893 miles
• Chicago: 853 miles
• Dallas: 65 miles
• Denver: 740 miles
• Houston: 301 miles
• Los Angeles: 1,420 miles
• Miami: 1,330 miles
• New York: 1,510 miles
• Oklahoma City: 169 miles
• Portland: 1,601 miles
• Tulsa: 193 miles

Workforce

Within a fifty-mile radius, the six-county labor market population is 250,000.

Population

• Area: (square miles) 39
• Density: (residents per sq. mile) 910
• Population 2005 Estimate: 36,261
• Grayson County: 115,933
• Labor Force: 58,951
• Average Persons Per Household: 2.42
• Total Households: 13,739
• Median Age: 34

SEDCO

• Median Household Income: $34,211
• ACCRA Cost of Living Index: 92.3

Education

• High School Graduate: 80.2%
• Some College No Degree: 24.3%
• Associates Degree: 7.4%
• Bachelors Degree: 20.1%
• Graduate/Professional Degree: 7.5%

Labor Sectors

• Government: 14%
• Natural Resources & Construction: 7%
• Manufacturing: 15%
• Trade, Transportation & Utilities: 19%
• Information: 1%
• Financial Activities: 6%
• Professional & Business Services: 6%
• Education & Health Services: 19%
• Leisure & Hospitality: 9%
• Other Services: 4%
• Unemployment Rate: 5.1%

Transportation

Our location at U.S. Highway 75 and U.S. Highway 82 is perfectly situated for ground transportation and is bolstered by the excellent airport facilities at the former Perrin Field Air Force Base.

Motor Freight

• Ten local motor freight carriers
• Common carriers, liquid-transport carriers, specialized flat-bed carriers
• Small package, air cargo & express
• Truck leasing

Rail Service

• Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF)
• Texas North Eastern (TNER)

Air Transportation

• DFW – 75 miles
• Love Field – 75 miles
• Alliance Airport – 75 miles
• Grayson County Airport
• Sherman Municipal Airport

Grayson County Airport -
• 1,400-acre facility
• 9,000’ X 150’ lighted, concrete runway (Third largest in North Texas)
• ILS approach and AWOS
• 56-acre concrete apron and ramp
• 24-hr. airport terminal & fire dept.
• Jet-A and 100LL fuel
• Hangars and hangar sites available
• Activated Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ)
• TxDOT Aviation’s Texas Airport of the Year – 2006

Sherman Municipal Airport -
• 4100’ concrete runway
• Fixed base operator
• Flight training school

Local Employers

Employers and number of employees:
• Austin College: 280
• BRECO: 80
• CertainTeed: 60
• Cigna: 800
• City of Sherman: 480
• Coca-Cola Bottling Company: 65
• Commercial Aircraft Equipment: 45
• ConAgra: 50
• Cooper B-Line, Inc.: 300
• Custom Bodies, Inc.: 36
• Day Manufacturing: 45
• Douglass Distributing: 100
• Fisher Controls: 310
• GCEC: 100
• Globi-Tech: 60
• Grayson County: 450
• Herald Democrat Newspaper: 111
• Home Depot: 200
• Kaiser Aluminum: 225
• Lowes Home Improvement: 200
• MEMC Southwest, Inc.: 510
• Monitor, Inc.: 45
• Mueller Construction: 36
• Plyler Construction: 130
• PRESCO Products: 200
• Procter & Gamble: 120
• Progress Rail Services: 175
• Raytheon: 250
• Royal Case: 85
• Sherman ISD: 940
• Sherman Plastics: 110
• Sherman Wire: 100
• Starr Aircraft: 110
• Sunny Delight Beverages: 100
• Texas Instruments Inc.: 1,000
• Texas Reel Company: 36
• Texoma Council of Governments: 71
• Texoma Regional Healthcare: 1,000
• Tyson Fresh Meats: 1,600 in 2007
• TXU Electric Delivery: 101
• Verizon: 60
• Whitmire Container: 90
• Wilson Jones Hospital: 1,000
• Wal-Mart/Sam’s: 450
• West Asset Management: 300

Housing

Located close to the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex Sherman still retains the unhurried and friendly atmosphere of a smaller community. Comfortable homes and wide open spaces make Sherman a great place to raise or start a family. We have the perfect home for you, whether you’re looking for a traditional neighbor property, a downtown loft, an apartment, or a place with a few acres. Sherman is a quiet, yet dynamic, growing community. Continually growing malls and shops provide essential and unique goods and services. Likewise, the list of area restaurants keeps growing as well. Quality hospitals, clinics, and healthcare professionals give residents the assurance they can relax and live life to the fullest.

Residential Real Estate Contact:
Greater Texoma Association of Realtors
(903) 893-5193
www.texomarealtor.com

Environment and Climate

Environment

The topography is generally flat with gently rolling wooded terrain. Soil is primarily sandy loam and blackland. Soils are considered stable bases for construction purposes.

Climate

Sherman’s comfortable climate allows year-round recreation.
Annual Averages:
• Temperature: 73˚ F
• Maximum: 93˚ F
• Minimum: 44˚ F
• Humidity: 56.0%
• Rainfall: 40.0”
• Snow/Sleet: 3.5”
• Elevation: 728’

Shopping

From quaint shops along the 1848 downtown city square of Sherman to modern malls, Sherman has the goods! With a population of 300,000 in the surrounding 6- county area and over 1,600,000 square feet of shopping available, Sherman is the place to shop.

Sherman Town Center stores include Best Buy, Home Depot, Petsco, Target, Belk’s, Old Navy, Ross, Dress Barn, Bed Bath & Beyond, Hobby Lobby, Pier 1 Imports, Dollar Tree, Books- A-Million, and Payless Shoes.

Sherman Commons stores include Kohl’s, PetSmart, and Academy Sports & Outdoors.

Midway Mall store anchors include Sears, J.C. Penney, Dillards, and Burlington Coat Factory.

Downtown Sherman stores include A Touch of Class Antique Mall, Knight Furniture, and the shops and restaurants at Kelly Square.

Other major area retailers include Sam’s Club, Wal-Mart Supercenter, Lowes, Haverty’s, and Gander Mountain.

Sherman has plenty of shopping options, so you are bound to find everything you want.

Dining

When you’re hungry, you’ll have a lot of choices. The number of local favorites as well as, regional and national restaurants opening in Sherman keeps on growing. There are roughly 60 dine-in restaurants if you are looking to have a seat and eat. If you’re on the go there are about 50 fast food establishments serving up quick fare.

Well known sit-down restaurants include Chili’s, El Chico, Johnny Carino’s, Applebee’s, Denny’s, Golden Corral, Red Lobster, and Logan’s Roadhouse, Texas Roadhouse, Chuck E. Cheese, Cheddar’s, Panera Bread, Panda Chinese, Buffalo Wild Wings, Chic-fil-a, and more than 35 independents.

Healthcare

Just within the Sherman city limits there are two hospitals. Wilson N. Jones Memorial Hospital has 402 beds available and Community Specialty Hospital provides specialty care in physical rehab and mental health services. In addition to medical care facilities, there are also chiropractic and psychiatric care clinics available.

Area healthcare providers -
• Doctors: 300
• Chiropractors: 10
• Dentists: 23
• Specialized Medical Practices: 117

Recreation

A heathy, happy work force needs to take time to play, and in Sherman, we have plenty to do. We’re situated just south of Lake Texoma, one of the largest lakes in Texas and well-known for its champion bass fishing, boating, sailing, camping and hiking. Eisenhower State Park is located on the southeastern edge of the lake close to the dam and offers beautiful scenery and easy access to Lake Texoma. In town we have lots of ways to relax, play, or be entertained. Recreation opportunities range from movie theaters to live theater, golf ranges to public parks.

Area Recreation

• Golf Courses: Public 1, Private 3
• Resort: 1
• Tennis Courts: Public 10, Private 8
• Parks/Playgrounds: 12 (328 acres)
• Baseball Fields: 9
• Soccer Fields: 12
• Volleyball: 4
• Basketball Courts: 4
• Softball: 5
• Bowling Alley: 1
• Theater Screens: 12
• Live Theater: 1
• Community Theatre: 1
• Museums: 2
• Area Lakes: 4
• Youth Centers: 4
• Senior Citizens Center: 1
• Swimming Pools: Public 1
• Water Park: 1

Parks

Sherman Parks & Recreation has something for everyone. Through its innovative and efficient staff, it offers a wide variety of recreation activities and programs. Ten city parks have amenities that range from playgrounds and athletic fields to walking/hiking trails and a natural lake stocked with trout. During the summer, Fairview Pool and the new Hawn Park Spray Ground gives families a great way to cool down. Other recreation programs include sponsored sports teams, recreation, craft, & educational classes, youth & outdoor programs, community activities, and special events.

Sherman has numerous recreation opportunities.

Senior Center

Recreational and social service activities for those 50 and over are held at the Sherman Senior Center. While enjoying fellowship with others, seniors can play, learn, create, and keep mentally and physically fit. Numerous classes, trips, wellness activities, and special events are offered through the Senior Center.

Youth

The City of Sherman provides recreational and social service activities for the school aged and young adults at the Glennie O. Ham Center. Programs and amenities include an After School Latch Key Program, Summer Day Camps, arts & crafts room, computer room, and library.

Area Attractions

• Grayson County Frontier Village
• Harber Wildlife Exhibit
• Herman Baker Park & Pickens Lake (34 Acres)
• Lake Texoma – (89,000 acres) Rated #1 Best Lake in Texas by the Dallas Morning News
• Loy Lake Park
• Museum of American Victorian Furniture
• Red River Historical Museum
• T.V. Munson Viticulture & Enology Center
• Hagerman Wildlife Refuge – 8,000 acres of upland 3,000 acres of water and marsh with 250 documented species of fowl.

Arts

If your tastes are more refined, Sherman has a vibrant arts community. Whether you prefer to look or create, our arts activities offer something for all the senses, ranging from community theater and fine arts events to college theater and fine art opportunities at Austin College or Grayson County Community College.

Take the Stage

Sherman Community Players

Since the Little Theatre Movement in the 1920’s, the Sherman Community Players have been presenting fine theatrical productions to the North Texas and Southern Oklahoma region. Sherman Community Players continue to garner state-wide attention for its quality season productions, children’s theatre, and educational outreach programs. Visit www.scptheater.org for details.

Mainstage produces five productions a season which include musicals, dramas, and comedies. Auditions for these productions are open to anyone with an interest in theatre. The 2006- 2007 season productions are Harvey, Sanders Family Christmas, Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap, Barefoot in the Park, and South Pacific.

Theatricks gives kids an opportunity to take the stage. Established in 1985, Theatricks is comprised of two different aspects: Club Theatricks and Project Theatre. Club Theatricks produces three productions a year, and teaches three semesters of theatrical workshops, while Project Theatre serves as an educational resource for area schools curriculum.

Kidd Key Auditorium hosts many local events and performances including the Sherman Symphony Orchestra.

Sherman Symphony Orchestra

The Sherman Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1966. Under the baton of maestro Daniel L. Dominick, the orchestra has grown to 74 members including professional musicians. Now performing in the newly renovated 1938, 1340-seat Kidd-Key Auditorium in downtown Sherman, as well as the Sid Richardson Center on the Austin College Campus for the annual Christmas Pops Concerts, the Sherman Symphony Orchestra performs five subscription concerts a season as the anchor of the Community Series, Inc concerts. The orchestra’s season also includes the annual Children’s Concert played to the combined fifth graders of Grayson County. An additional concert of Opera Arias, Choruses, and Overtures, an audience favorite, returns for the 2007-2008 season.

Community Concert Series

Each year Austin College and the Community Concert Series hosts a line-up of unique performances. From classical to jazz to popular, these always entertain. Visit www.communityseries. com for the schedule of upcoming shows.

Fun in the Sun

Sherman Arts Festival

Coming in the Fall of 2007 will be the 25th Annual Sherman Arts Festival. The Sherman Municipal Lawn becomes the site of this annual event that includes a judged art show & sale for ages 18 and up, kid’s art show, woodcarving show & sale; juried fiber arts show; 5K and Fun Run, live music, food, and up to 100 arts & craft vendors. It’s a great place to bring the family and start your holiday shopping!

Private Education in Sherman

Belden Street Montessori School
618 W. Belden • 903-868-1019

Offering an alternative preschool education for 22 years. Accepting students age 3-5. Staffed with two Montessori-certified teachers and a classroom aide. No more than 24 students per class. Classes meet five mornings each week from 8:00 to noon during the school year.

Grayson Christian Academy
600 E. Cherry St. • 903-892-3304

Operated with the Grayson Bible Baptist Church, the academy has 51 students from Pre-K–12th grade. Low student to teacher ratio of 10 to 1. 175 day a year school calendar. The hours are 8:30- 3:30, Monday-Thursday and 8:30-Noon on Friday.

Montessori Academy of North Texas
906 N. Cottonwood • 903-893-3600

Sherman’s newest private school, started in 2005. The school continues the Montessori tradition of low student to teacher ratios, guided independent learning. Boasts a fully certified staff. They can accommodate over 100 students from ages 18 months-3 years, 3-6, and 6-9.

St. Mary’s Catholic School
713 S. Travis • 903-893-2127

Founded in 1877, they are Sherman’s oldest private school. More than 140 students from Pre-K–6th grade attend the school, and there are plans to add additional grades. Accredited by the Texas Catholic Conference Education Department. The student to teacher ratio is about 12 to 1.

Texoma Christian School
3500 W. Houston St. • 903-893-7076

A full range educational alternative with 400 students from Pre-K–12th grade. The Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools rated TSC tops in Texas in 2005. The school offers a non-denominational, Christ-Centered Education.

Sherman Independent School District: A New Era of Leadership and Growth

Superintendent Dr. Al Hambrick

Sherman Independent School District moves into a new era in 2007 with new leadership, new schools and other bond issue improvements, and new programs on the horizon. Superintendent Dr. Al Hambrick took the reins in June 2006 as the district finished the previous school year in good academic standing, according to both state and federal assessments, and is beginning to see the fruits of a $77 million bond issue passed in 2005.

Hambrick, assistant superintendent of administration, curriculum and instruction for three years, took over as the interim superintendent for the 2006- 07 school year when Rodney Hutto left to go to Nacogdoches. Hambrick is entering his 27th year as a SISD employee, having served as assistant superintendent, high school principal, assistant principal, math teacher and coach.

Although Hambrick was not confirmed in his permanent status until the fall of 2006, he has held nothing back to see that the district remained on track in student achievement, maintaining and recruiting staff, executing bond issue improvements, and establishing a successful partnership with the community.

2005 Bond Issue Effects

Sherman voters saw the results of their support for the 2005 bond issue with the beginning of the 2006 football season. Bearcat Stadium renovations were completed in September 2006. The new fixtures, paint, ticket booths, restrooms and concession stands were welcome improvements for both the home and visitor sides of this legendary field. The stadium, built by the WPA, opened in the fall of 1941, and has more than its share of great Texas schoolboy football stars from Sherman and all over the state.

Neblett Elementary on Gallagher Drive should open in August 2007. Sory Elementary, located at State Highway 56 and Binkley Park Drive, is scheduled for completion in August 2008. These two new schools are being built to accommodate 650 students. Construction for the third school to replace Washington Elementary will begin in 2007 when the staff and students temporarily move into the Neblett Elementary and the original building is demolished. Washington students plan to return in August 2008 when the school is scheduled for completion.

Hambrick said the expansion should allow all students currently attending class in one of the district’s 47 portable buildings to move into a permanent structure and still have room for future growth. The district has seen a 2 percent growth in student population each year for the past four to five years, he said.

Each campus in the district will be touched by the bond issue. Plans to implement new technology, security entrances to each campus, new classroom additions to current campuses and another athletic gym at Sherman High School are ongoing.

It takes more than buildings to make a school, and the addition of the three new elementary schools, two of which must be newly staffed, will present a large recruiting challenge to the district and economic impact to the area. With more than 900 employees, the SISD is already the third largest employer in Sherman.

Student Achievement

Sherman Independent School District serves approximately 6,500 students each year. For the 2005-06 year, SISD made performance gains on 25 of 26 state assessment indicators.

All elementary schools were labeled as Recognized campuses by the state and all campuses met the federal requirements of the Adequate Yearly Progress program. Sherman’s 2006 graduating class received over $1 million in college scholarships.

SISD will implement new academic programs for 2006-07 in an effort to maintain and increase student achievement. Contextual mathematics is the new district math program that aims to help students relate the math they learn to everyday situations, Hambrick said. The balanced literacy approach in reading and the writing programs, Write From the Beginning (K-5), and Write For the Future (6-12), are aligned with Thinking Maps and are helping students to improve reading and writing skills. SISD’s science program allows students to explore, experiment, ponder and apply knowledge for a greater understanding of science concepts. Another new program at Sherman I.S.D. is the creation of Professional Learning Communities. These programs schedule common conference periods for same grade and subject teachers in order to encourage peer mentoring, planning and training.

Community Partnerships

With all the new developments at SISD, the district’s goal of keeping the community connected becomes even more important. The district uses Web pages, a weekly electronic news bulletin, a weekly campus activity schedule and pictures in the local newspaper and tri-annual newspaper mailed to each SISD family to strengthen its partnership with parents and interested community members.

The school system is no stronger than the support in the community, and Superintendent Hambrick said the district applauded the community’s support for the school district through the 2005 bond referendum, and its continued support in so many ways. American Bank and the Bearcat Athletic Booster Club sponsored a new electronic scoreboard at Bearcat Stadium as well as a group of Sherman businessmen and women who purchased a Bearcat head run-through tunnel. He said the Sherman Education Foundation has raised over $500,000 for the schools during the last six years for program enrichment throughout the district.

Those interested in SISD news can sign-up for the weekly SISD Connect Newsletter at www.shermanisd.net. For contributions to the Sherman Education Foundation, call (903) 891-6400.

Austin College : Area Standard in Academic Excellence Gets New Look

Wright Campus Center at Austin College

Austin College is an independent liberal arts college in Sherman, Texas, with an enrollment of 1,400 and affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). Chartered in November 1849, it is the oldest college in Texas under original charter and name as recognized by the State Historical Survey Committee.

The school has long been recognized as a regional and national leader in academic excellence. The 2005-2006 year was no different in terms of academic accolades, but 2007 should bring a new look to the campus.

Learning

Austin College began the initial work on a multi-year, $1 million campus landscape master plan in 2005. The plan calls for an entry esplanade, pedestrian mall and other enhancements to the 70-acre campus all designed to give more definition to the campus on the east side of Sherman.

Austin College’s building landscape will be changing too with the expected completion of the Betsy Dennis Forster Art Studio Complex. Alumni Peter and Elizabeth “Betsy” Dennis Forster made a $2 million gift to the college in 2005 toward construction of the facility. The new facility on the north side of campus, will provide studio space for ceramics, sculpture, painting, photography, and metal and wood working, as well as faculty offices, small classrooms and a gallery.

Austin College also is working to complete a fundraising campaign in 2007 for a new science building. The 109,000 square foot, $30 million facility is hoped to be a “signature structure” on campus, said Oscar Page, the school’s president.

Leadership

During the last academic year, Austin College awarded its first Leadership Award to Wendy Kopp, a Princeton graduate who developed Teach for America during her senior year. Kopp’s program was designed as a kind of teaching Peace Corps, placing promising young graduates from top universities into urban and rural public schools.

Lasting Values

Austin College works hard to live up to all three descriptors in its motto, “Learning, Leadership and Lasting Values.” During the last academic year, Austin College students logged around 19,000 hours of community service and the local United Way honored the college. The college is also working with the City of Sherman to improve Brockett Street as a link to the downtown area.

The school’s impact on the community goes beyond service. Austin College has 280 employees and put more than $170 million in the local economy in the last school year.

LaMarriol Smith encourages the community to take advantage of entertainment and enrichment opportunities the college offers through its public art galleries and shows, athletic events, and music and theatre events. Schedules and more information about Austin College can be found at www.austincollege.edu.

Grayson County College: Educating and Connecting a Community

Grayson County College, established in 1965, serves approximately 4,000 students each semester the Texoma area of northern Texas and southern Oklahoma in associate, vocational, technical and professional development educational needs. The college maintains four locations: Main Campus, 6101 Grayson Drive on Highway 691 in Denison; West Campus, one mile west of Main Campus; South Campus, 1401 Stephens St. in Van Alstyne; and the Fannin Higher Education Center, 1201 E. 9th St. in Bonham.

The school is in the midst of an extensive improvement plan. GCC began expansion in 2003 with the opening of a new administrative services building on the Main Campus. The building marked the college’s first major construction project in more than 30 years and served as the prelude to many more improvements.

In 2004, a new campus rose in Van Alstyne. The South Campus gave GCC its fourth location. Next the Main Campus’ Health Science building was renovated and expanded to provide more classroom and lab space for healthcare programs.

“We do have really strong health science programs that feed the LVN, LRN, medical laboratory technology and EMT programs,” said Shelle Cassell, GCC director of public information.

While the community college’s facilities renewal program is providing much needed updates and space for its academic facilities, President Scheibmeir said the improvements are for more than academics. He wants the college to become something the community not only can use for educational needs, but also point to with pride.

A renovated Science Building is expected to open on the Main Campus in spring 2007 with six modern laboratories, professor offices and four classrooms. The building will accommodate more students and classes. “This will be huge because so many of our sciences feed our health programs and other schools value the background students have when they finish our science program and transfer,” Cassell said.

Future renovations are planned for the Main Campus’ Liberal Arts and Fine Arts building, the Classroom Building, Cruce Stark Auditorium, the Library, and Student Center.

Television dramas such as CSI and reality TV shows on automobile customizing were pushing interest in forensic science and collision or auto body repair. In response to the demand, the college became the first school in Texas to offer a forensic science degree. The collision repair program is scheduled for a new paint booth and renovated lab to support the growing interest in that specialty. Under consideration for the future are programs for veterinary technician, hospitality and culinary fields.

The college also considers local job opportunities and the community’s economy when selecting academic programs. GCC played a role in the first Texoma Vision 20/20 Regional Economic Summit in 2006, where regional leaders discussed the future needs of the Sherman and Texoma area, and second Summit is in the works for 2007.

This article appeared in the Winter 2006 issue of Texoma Living!.