He has been on the job for seven months.
He is a New Orleans native.
He moved to Shreveport from Ft. Smith, Arkansas.
His department of Economic Development has a large staff--just one, himself.
His job responsibility is simple--make it easier to do business in Shreveport for existing businesses and new ones he helps recruit.
In a brief report to the Infrastructure Committee of the Shreveport City Council on April 8, William "Bill" Sabo outlined his progress since being hired:
1. Working to simplify the renewal process for liquor licenses.
2. Working to simplify the ABO card process.
3.Having the Shreveport MPC update its website for first time in 5 years.
4. Working to have an Economic Development website created.
5. Assisted the developers of the Petroleum Tower obtain needed information for financing of the $30 million conversion to apartments.
6. Planning for a market analysis of the entire city to show traffic counts, number of households, median household income, infrastructure, etc. that is needed to help sell the city to out of town companies and investors.
Sabo was on top of this game when responding to questions by the committee members.
He explained that the MLK area will need major incentives to draw in business, especially grocery stores, due to a low census population count and low median household income.
Hopefully, his detailed information will provide some reality to expectations for the MLK area.
Sabo's report was impressive.