SPOTLIGHT

Jennifer Harland External Affairs Manager at SWEPCO

3708 West 7th Street Texarkana, Texas 75501

Where do you see Texarkana in the next five years?

In the next five years, I see Texarkana becoming a top destination to live, work, and play. The growth potential for Texarkana is enormous, and with the continued support of our municipal and economic development partners, entrepreneurs, innovators, and incredible business leaders in our community, I am confident the region is poised to attract additional talent and experience more growth. Additionally, I am extremely excited to see how the development of a creator space named “The Assembly Line” downtown—which will be a home for many of the region’s entrepreneurs, start-ups, and small businesses—will power the next big idea.

What is your favorite part of downtown Texarkana?

While I’m a fairly new resident of Texarkana who relocated here in 2010, I’m proud to share with others how my company, SWEPCO, has roots as deep as Texarkana itself. At one time, our business included ice, streetcars, water, and gas. That’s part of our rich history spanning more than a century of service. We’re built on the combination of three companies—Shreveport Gas, Electric Light and Power Company; Caddo Gas and Oil Company; and Texarkana Gas and Electric Company—owned by a trio of brothers: Rufus, Henry, and Charles Dawes. The three combined their holdings in 1912, and Southwestern Gas and Electric Company (SWEPCO) was born. Texarkana remains an important part of SWEPCO’s story.

I love watching downtown return to life and flourish with the many opportunities it provides for everyone. For downtown to be celebrated and serve as a hub for activity is critical for our businesses, community, and industry. An active and engaging downtown draws prospective talent, welcomes families, attracts new businesses, assists in retaining the businesses located in this area, and encourages others to expand. With the addition of Texarkana Entertainment Districts and other downtown attractions, we are building a downtown destination, which is a must for a vibrant community. Texarkana has a unique past and a promising future that includes so many interesting people and spaces. I believe it’s time to engage those resources and shine a bright light that celebrates what makes Texarkana special.

Through Leadership Texarkana, I have been introduced to the proven process of “Strategic Doing,” which has been woven into the fabric of Texarkana. As a Strategic Doing practitioner, I have had the opportunity to be involved in several downtown community projects. The federal courthouse downtown was one of those projects. Strategic Doing is an effective way to get things done in our community and allows teams to work collectively to launch innovation and tackle common goals.

Where have you seen the most growth in Texarkana in recent years?

As a community and economic developer, our community’s collective desire to work collaboratively to increase our economic prosperity and grow jobs has really grown in recent years. We are very fortunate to have generous community leaders who have provided time, talent, and resources to create the Arkansas Manufacturing Center and the East Texas Logistics Center. It’s exciting to see our government and business leaders position the region for growth and showcase our talent, industrial parks, TexAmericas Center, and new world-class airport. In my view, this region, our region, our community is on the cusp of something very big.

What words or advice do you have for the citizens of Texarkana? Offer your support wherever you can, and help others, whether that is with your time, talent, or resources. Find a community passion, and get involved. Keep Texarkana clean and green; litter reflects poorly on our community and our people.

Why have you chosen to take part in shaping Texarkana’s future? What has motivated you?

Texarkana is my forever home! I feel an emotional connection to Texarkana, my friends, co-workers, church home, and other community leaders, and I want to do my part to see our community prosper. The first thing I did when I moved to Texarkana was to apply for Leadership Texarkana, where I learned that Texarkana is a community of excellence powered by engaged and equipped leaders. I knew I wanted to take part and make a difference in this community. Leadership Texarkana and my roles with local organizations keep me motivated to work together for community excellence, pride, and progress. #goTXK