Welcome to the newest article on Gonzales and it's developing economic conditions.  As it turns out, the Gonzales Economic Development Corporation blew it when we went to them for assistance to grow the business in Gonzales.  After nearly 9 years of building the business here, they only gave me 3 minutes to make a presentation on $750,000 worth of planned growth that would have produced an additional 18 jobs and added 30,000 square feet of new buildings.  Zelpha Dolezal, the president, had already made it known before the meeting that she was only going to give us 3 minutes and put it into committee.  Two of the board members did not come to see what already exists and find out what we were going to do.  I should note that there was no other application on the agenda so the time was available for a good presentation.  Furthermore, while I had already shown the Economic Development Director, Geri Lawling, all of my business and personal financials, and the banks had already approved $500,000 in loans for the projects, Zelpha Dolezal put forth a committee to come and look at my financials again, questioning my credibility.  Ms. Lawling had assured me that would not be necessary before I spent a month and a half working up the numbers and the presentation for the GEDC.

I withdrew the application the next day and we have committed to buying land and facilities in Luling, Texas now and will be growing out there on Interstate 10 instead.  As it is planned at the moment, we will be moving a substantial portion of our operations out there, including some, if not all of the retail in the next year or two. 

Tiny Texas Houses

Our new venture at the IH10 location is Tiny Texas Houses, a first of its kind operation in the USA.  Tiny Texas Houses are being build entirely out of recycled vintage lumber and will come in a number of styles.  They will be energy efficient, insulated, wired to code, plumbed and ready to live in when they show up on the property.  They will be 95% recycled material.  All original period wood, windows, doors, and floorings.  These houses will emulate what it was like to homestead property in the late 1800's around the country.  From the Tiny Texas Ranch Houses, to Victorian Cottages, New England Newlywed Cottages, Rustic Cabins, and Gothic Cottages, these Tiny Houses will be built to last for another 100 years.  New plumbing, electric, insulation, and paint, that is the extent of the non-recycled material in each house.  If we succeed in the look we are after, you will barely be able to tell that they are newly constructed.  Best of all, they are portable and intended to be moved from our place to yours for an instant lakeside cabin, hunting lodge, or back yard guesthouses.  They will be used for writers getaways, artists retreats, and many other spaces that people will want to hand off to future generations, even to be moved on down the road someday for playhouses for the grand kids or a place to stay at when you visit the kids at their homes. 

The sizes will range from 8' to 12' wide and from 16'-20' long.  Most will have sleeping lofts and porches as well as the option of joining more than one module together if you decide to expand later.  Clients will have the opportunity to select flooring, doors, windows, interior wall coverings, cabinets, etc. or simply pick a completed Tiny House.  Delivery costs will depend 

Here are some of the pictures of work in progress.  This is the Texas Ranch style and the Victorian Cottage in progress. 

The Key

The Key for the Door to Success

is Knowledge

but without the Power to use it,

you can not unlock the door.

Knowledge can also be your Power,

but you need the Will to use it right

to find the Freedom and Independence

that hides behind the door to Success.

Share your Knowledge to Empower others.

Then they will have the Power to Create

a successful Community

with many Keys and New Doors

to Opportunity and Success.

By Brad Kittel