Pro-Business, Community Calendar Web Site Launches to Support Economic Development in Grapevine, Texas

Two Northeast Tarrant County businessmen, Michael Burns, principal Internet consultant for WSI/WebSolutionsTexas, and Bob Tipton, president of Shazamm! Promotional Products, announce today the launch of ilovegrapevinetexas.com, a community-friendly Web site project to support economic development within the city of Grapevine, Texas.

Grapevine, Texas (PRWEB) September 4, 2005 -- Strategically located at D/FW International Airport and the intersection of several interstate highways, Grapevine, Texas, is well positioned to balance economic growth with the quality of life it provides its citizens.

"Though recent changes at the airport have affected the city's tax revenues, our business community continues to reflect that "can do" spirit of Grapevine's early settlers," says Bob Tipton, board chair of the Economic Development Committee of the Grapevine Chamber of Commerce. "We have a pro-business climate and attitude here in town, and I wanted to do my part by developing a new Web site to keep it that way."

"We envisioned a definitive site that would add value to each business and every citizen," states Michael Burns, fellow Grapevine Chamber member. "Our goal from the beginning was to connect the community in such a way that they, too, would love Grapevine and want to do business here and live here, participating in all of the great community events and activities."

"The reason we love living in Grapevine," says Curtis Watson, a Wells Fargo Bank executive, "is the people." Tipton and Burns strongly agree. "You just can't find a community who cares more about each other than right here. And the folks have big Texas hearts - anytime a family or person has a tragedy, everyone jumps right in to help them. Sometimes I'm amazed that there is such a benevolent spirit among the people here; you'd think we were a small town," says Watson.

"Yes, it's exciting to see our vision become a reality," says Burns. "Our team was able to create a community-friendly Web site that is visually appealing, but more importantly, highly functional and easy for everyone to use. We'll use this first one as the gold standard for other requests we have on the drawing board."

Tipton acknowledges that they have received positive support from the business community on the project's development. "Since this is an online project," states P.W. McCallum, executive director of the Grapevine Convention and Visitors Bureau, "it will give our visitors and conventioneers another great way to find out about Grapevine, see where to go and what to do while they are in town." Acting City Manager Bruno Rumbelow adds, "We're glad to have a public site that will direct folks to the city's new Web site, and it will be a great informational resource for our citizens, too."

"In answer to public interest," says Burns, "we also created a highly functional, easy-to-use Community Calendar, which allows everyone to track events, including activities from schools, churches and civic organizations, as well as many city events." The public is encouraged to e-mail notices of community-wide events to the site. Information will be input daily, keeping the site current and dynamic so neighbors can get connected in the community.

Also, the Web site is designed with a customized business-listing tool, which provides detailed information on local companies. Current data can be accessed online through the site's Grapevine Business Directory. In addition, businesses can advertise on the site for greater visibility. "Now it's easy for everyone to find a local supplier or service," Tipton adds, "and by choosing businesses in our area, we support and grow our local economy at the same time. It's a great thing!"
For more information, visit www.ilovegrapevinetexas.com.
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The ilovegrapevinetexas.com Team - P.O. Box 7, Grapevine, Texas 76099

Michael Burns - has led international sales and marketing organizations successfully for more than 30 years. He directed teams at AT&T, MCI, and IBM prior to forming his own international consulting firm, where he served as the Director of Data Services and Corporate Sales for EuroTel Praha, in Prague, Czech Republic. Currently Burns, president of WSI/ WebSolutions Texas, works as a Certified Internet Consultant and a Search Engine Optimization (SEO) professional. Burns currently serves in both the Grapevine and Southlake Chambers of Commerce.

Bob Tipton - brings an entrepreneurial perspective to the project. Previously working in print production in Dallas and Las Colinas, he has more than 25 years of executive leadership and sales management experience in printing, advertising and public relations. Tipton, president of Shazamm! Promotional Products, is dedicated to the development of strong business-to-business relationships. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Grapevine Chamber of Commerce, in charge of Economic Development, and is a member of AMBUCS.
Sarah Kormondy - has worked closely with the Dallas/Fort Worth Area Tourism Council for a number of years, and currently serves as a civic volunteer in Grapevine. Also giving generous time to the Grapevine Chamber of Commerce, she is a member of the Ambassadors Division, serving recently as Secretary, and is a 2005 Leadership Grapevine participant. In addition, Kormondy - the owner of Inc-Blot, a bookkeeping business offering professional accounting services to individuals and small businesses - will serve as administrator for ilovegrapevinetexas.com's Community Calendar program.

Cindy Stovall - is the owner of Your Office Assistant, an innovative support organization that contracts corporate administrative services to small businesses in Northeast Tarrant County. Previously, Stovall worked for Protection One, one of the largest monitored security companies in North America, which serves more than one million customers across the continent. She held several positions in Accounts Receivable and was active in the Dealer Operations Program as well. Now as a home-based business owner, she excels in balancing a client's business needs with those of a delightful kindergartner. She is very active in the community with youth sports. Stovall will serve as administrator for ilovegrapevinetexas.com's Business Directory program.

Barbara Tipton - is a business writer with more than 20-years of experience in corporate communications and marketing, where she was recognized at the national and state level for award-winning public relations strategies. Tipton, owner of Grapevine Marketing Solutions, offers copywriting and public relations services to small businesses and faith-based organizations. Last year, she was program administrator for Leadership Grapevine and a past graduate of the civic leadership development program.

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