- What is TexasSiteSearch.com?
- TexasSiteSearch.com is an interactive map tool, data source, and clearinghouse for commercial and industrial property listings in the state of Texas. Clickable map layers allow users to explore the geographic assets of the state, including transportation infrastructure, universities, and Enterprise Zones. Extensive proprietary data sets allow users to access detailed demographic, workforce, and consumer profiles for every city and county in the state, as well as for the immediate radius surrounding a given property. The familiar Google Maps interface allows most users to easily begin utilizing the site without tutorial. The service is powered by GIS Planning's ZoomProspector software and is provided by the Texas Economic Development Corporation for free to all users.
- How are commercial properties listed in TexasSiteSearch.com?
- The Texas Economic Development Corporation allows users to list available commercial or industrial properties in the system. Although there is no cost to participate, the listing service is only available to Texas Designated Community Economic Development entities (DCEDs), as certified by the Office of the Governor, and real estate professionals nominated and approved by the DCEDs. Users who view these real estate listings are provided with data about the properties and a host of tools to analyze the sites. After generating a list of relevant locations, visitors can then contact the respective brokers and community representatives directly about specific properties or areas. As a value-added service, communities and brokers who list properties on TexasSiteSearch.com benefit from additional exposure from the Texas Economic Development Corporation’s marketing efforts and trade show participation.
- How do community representatives and commercial real estate professionals get access to TexasSiteSearch.com?
- Local Designated Community Economic Development entities (DCEDs) and approved real estate professionals can gain access in several easy steps. (1) The requester clicks on "Add Properties" on the GIS home page and follows the links to request a unique, secure log-in and password. (2) TexasSiteSearch.com administrators verify the requester is a DCED or a real estate professional nominated by a local DCED or the Office of the Governor. Nominated real estate professionals must offer a significant inventory of strictly commercial or industrial properties. (3) Upon approval, the requester is granted access to enter property data directly into a user-friendly form.
GIS Planning Inc. staff can assist with this request process at any time at (415) 294-4775. Users will instantly see all entered property data and photos listed on the website. NOTE: Community representatives and real estate professionals are advised to check existing properties listed on TexasSiteSearch.com for their respective community in order to avoid posting duplicate listings.
- Why is the Texas Economic Development Corporation investing in TexasSiteSearch.com?
- The Texas Economic Development Corporation recognizes the importance of expanding and sustaining the state’s business community and is committed to investing in innovative methods to market the state’s many assets. Current research suggests that 80% of initial site selection screening is now done through the Internet. TexasSiteSearch.com provides an interactive, real-time service to the many businesses seeking site selection information in Texas.
- How is TexasSiteSearch.com funded?
- TexasSiteSearch.com is paid for through private dollars specially raised by the TexasOne "Big Picture" initiative for Texas economic development efforts. Public taxpayer dollars were not utilized to develop this service. TexasOne is a public-private partnership funded through private contributions by businesses, organizations and individuals interested in the promotion of the business climate, economic development, and job creation in the state of Texas.
- How do users access TexasSiteSearch.com?
- Anyone anywhere can view and use TexasSiteSearch.com by visiting the website directly or by linking from www.TexasWideOpenForBusiness.com. The easy-to-use and familiar Google Maps interface allows anyone with an Internet connection to take advantage of the site’s many features.
- How is TexasSiteSearch.com different from other site selection sites/services?
- TexasSiteSearch.com is a unique system lying at the forefront of online GIS development. In addition to the property listings, TexasSiteSearch.com offers access to a breadth of important proprietary local data, including demographic and economic data for the current year and five-year projections. By utilizing this data, users can determine on a site-by-site basis what differentiates one location from another. Additionally, the Google map interface is integrated with data-rich “heat” maps that graphically represent statewide data trends.
- What type of properties will be listed?
- Commercial, office, industrial, retail, and land (greenfield and master planned developments) properties will be catalogued and displayed on TexasSiteSearch.com.
- How will the website connect interested parties to the community representatives and listing brokers?
- Each listing provides the contact information for the associated Designated Community Economic Development (DCED) entity, as well as the listing broker, if applicable. All information pertaining to the property can be edited at anytime by the “owner” of the posting.
- What types of real estate professionals are listing with TexasSiteSearch.com?
- Commercial and industrial real estate firms that are approved by local Designated Community Economic Development entities (DCEDs) may use this free service. The system is not meant to be used for residential sales.
- How often will data be updated?
- Community representatives and commercial real estate professionals can update their data 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We strongly encourage those who have listings to maintain the data whenever a change occurs so that the inventory of available properties remains up to date. Listers are required to respond to periodic e-mail inquiries to indicate their listings are still current. Listings that do not receive a response will be removed from the website in order to protect the integrity of the property database. Demographic data, consumer expenditure data, and business and workforce data are all updated annually. Some data will be updated as frequently as necessary to maintain a current and robust database.
- What kind of information can users access?
- TexasSiteSearch.com offers users access to multiple GIS mapping “layers” and six different thematic “heat” map layers. In addition to the standard Google Maps mode, all layers can be viewed using Google Street View, Google Earth, and Google Terrain formats. Property listings may include as much or as little data as each community or real estate professional enters, and typically include pricing (for sale or lease and rates), size (square feet or acreage), contact information, relative location, and structural information (doors, ceilings, utilities and more). Users also have access to both demographic and business reports, providing data within a given radius around a site (0.25 miles to 60 miles). Valuable insight on workforce, educational attainment, retail sales, area employment by occupation, and more are easily gleaned from these reports.
- How will companies know about the TexasSiteSearch.com GIS site? How is the Texas Economic Development Corporation marketing it?
- The Texas Economic Development Corporation actively promotes TexasSiteSearch.com. The GIS tool is prominently featured on www.TexasWideOpenForBusiness.com, the state’s primary economic development marketing portal, as well as in marketing materials presented at trade shows throughout the country. Furthermore, through the collaborative efforts between GIS Planning and the Texas Economic Development Corporation, TexasSiteSearch.com can be promoted through social networking sites.
- What is GIS?
- GIS is an abbreviation for the term "Geographic Information System". A GIS combines layers of geographic information about a place that provides a snapshot of a particular location. This data can be as generic (“bird’s eye” view), or as in depth (down to utility diameters and topography), as necessary. In the case of TexasSiteSearch.com, the internet-based GIS allows businesses to make fact-based decisions to identify optimal business locations using our integrated demographics and business reports. TexasSiteSearch.com allows website users to customize the analysis to their specific needs.
- What resources are available to help me use TexasSiteSearch.com?
- GIS Planning Inc., the designer of the site, is always available to assist users with the issues – be it real estate professionals posting a listing or an individual searching for a business location – by calling (415) 294-4775. Additionally, GIS Planning has prepared several resources available upon request that can instruct in the fine-tuning of searches and the use of several of the more advanced functions available in TexasSiteSearch.com
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