City of Ferris Community Profile February 2013 Ferris Development News

Housing Walton Development announced plans for a 894-acre development that will contain 3,040 single family dwellings and 600 multiple fam- ily dwellings. A development agreement has been approved by City of Ferris and Ellis County Commissioners, pending legislative approval to occur in the 2013 session.

Manufacturing Triumph Aerostructures, after locating its new wing assembly plant eight miles west of Ferris in neighboring Red Oak in 2012, recently announced plans for expansion. An 800,000 square foot facility will house 200 engineers and professional staff and about 50 executive staff members. Another building will also be added. Together, the two new buildings will house about 850 new jobs.

Retail The Shaw Creek Town Center employs architecture and brick designs found in the buildings of historic downtown Ferris. Constructed in 2012, the center is owned and managed by East Texas Pinnacle Properties. Subway and Dr. Gina Williams, DDS are early tenants.

Roads The Texas Department of Transportation is actively planning two major thoroughfares that will impact Ferris. The redesigned Loop 9 will connect US 67 in Cedar Hill with in Mesquite, skirting the north side of Ferris. TxDOT is in process of obtaining right-of-way for the FM 664 reroute, which will provide a more efficient connection between I-45 and I-35.

Office of Economic Development, City of Ferris, Texas (972) 842-2923 [email protected]

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City of Ferris Community Profile February 2013

Winner of the 2011 TEDC Community Economic Development Award, Ferris employers and residents enjoy the laid back comfort and economy of a small town while providing the convenience of big city amenities, transportation, workforce and complementary communities. A 20 minute commute to downtown , Ferris is known as the “Town that Bricked the World”.

Highways Ferris is located on , the primary freeway between the state’s two largest cities. To the north lay Interstate 20, a major west-east artery that provides ready access to Ft Worth, Interstate-35E, and cities north and east of the Metroplex. Loop 9 will skirt the northern sector of Ferris near the Dallas County line.

Airports Dallas/Fort Worth International (41 miles) is a major economic engine for the region. Ferris is an easy 20 minute commute from downtown Dal- (28 miles) will soon transition to a national service area. las, straddling the Dallas and Ellis County line on Interstate Lancaster Regional (5 miles) is a general aviation 45. Once known as the “Town that Bricked the World”, airport located only minutes from Ferris. Ferris exudes a pro-business attitude. Winner of the 2011 The Ferris retail trade area includes parts of Wilmer, Red Oak, TEDC Community Economic Development Award, Ferris Palmer and Bristol. offers employers and residents the laid back comfort and Rail Incentives economy of a small town while simultaneously providing Union Pacific Railroad Intermodal facility is located a few miles north. The City of Ferris offers property the convenience of big city amenities, transportation, tax abatements, downtown façade workforce and complementary communities. improvement grants and Enterprise Destination Miles Minutes Zone incentives. The city has Lancaster Regional Airport 5 12 executed sales tax reimbursement UP Intermodal Facility 7 11 agreements for infrastructure Triumph Aerostructures (Red Oak) 8 10 development and provided industry attraction, retention and business 20 27 expansion grants. The City collects Dallas Love Field Airport 28 38 incentive funds through the 4A and DFW International Airport 41 47 4B Economic Development Downtown Ft. Worth 50 57 Corporations.

Office of Economic Development, City of Ferris, Texas (972) 842-2923 [email protected]

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City of Ferris Community Profile February 2013

Ferris boasts historic homes, new public amenities, and a nationally recognized "Main Street" historic downtown. While the City of Ferris is home to 2,436 residents (2010 Census), the larger Retail Trade Area includes over 12,000 people.

Trade Geographies Year Population 2000 2,175 Trade Zone Sq. Miles Population 2010 2,436 City of Ferris 3.8 2,436 Change 12.0% Ferris Retail Trade Area 102.6 12,540 Age Ferris Income Distribution Median Age 31.1 yrs Age 21+ 64.1% Age 65+ 8.7%

Housing Ferris Vacant Housing 7.8% Owner Occupied 63.8% Family Households 76.4% Ethnicity Ferris Black 18.5% Hispanic 38.4% White non-Hispanic 42.7% Beer, Wine and Mixed Drinks Occupation Ferris Mgmt & Prof 24% In May 2012, Ferris residents Service 15% voted to permit sales of mixed Sales & Office 22% drinks in restaurants and package sales of beer and wine. Construction 19% Prod & Trans 20%

Office of Economic Development, City of Ferris, Texas (972) 842-2923 [email protected]

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City of Ferris Community Profile February 2013

4 3 2 1 The new Ferris Public Library and renovated ball fields at Mutz Park debuted in 2012. 5 Schools The 91 square mile Ferris ISD, with its A+ credit rating and AAA bond rating, prepares its Traffic Counts 2,500 students for the future with extensive use of classroom 1 Interstate 45 37,702 technology. The U.S.News & World 2 Sixth Street Downtown 7,138 Report recognized Ferris High School Fifth Street Downtown 3,240 as one of the nation’s “Best High 3 Schools” for 2012. 4 FM 664 6,061 5 FM 983 2,586

Ferris High School opened in Little Mr. & Miss Ferris 2009 and received crowned at the 2012 accolades for its Brick Festival innovative design.

Ad Valorem Tax Rates & Exemptions Sales Taxes Taxing Entitiy Rate per $100 Homestead Over 65 Texas Sales Tax 6.25% City of Ferris 0.687134 $0 $3,000 City of Ferris 1.00% Ferris ISD 1.3063 $15,000 $14,000 4a EDC 0.50% ESD #5 0.03 $0 $0 4b EDC 0.50% Ellis County 0.380091 1% $0 Sales Tax (total) 8.25%

Office of Economic Development, City of Ferris, Texas (972) 842-2923 [email protected]

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