BIRMINGHAM, AL (March 10, 2026) – The City of Nash, Texas has completed a two-day Retail Academy training with Retail Strategies, made possible through a USDA grant award. Nash City Manager Doug Bowers, City Secretary/Director of Finance Jennifer Studdard, and Director of Professional Services Laura Jacobs attended the two-day training held March 4 –5, in Fort Worth, Texas.
Retail Academy is a specialized training program developed by Retail Strategies that equips economic developers with the tools, data, and expertise needed to effectively recruit retail businesses to their communities. Through the program, the city a comprehensive suite of marketing materials and market data specifically tailored to Nash – resources that will be used to make compelling pitches to developers, commercial real estate brokers, and retail operators.
“One of the biggest challenges for communities our size is knowing how to walk into a room with a developer or retailer and speak their language,” said Doug Bowers, City Manager for the City of Nash. “The Retail Academy gave us exactly that — the data, the terminology, and the confidence to make a strong case for Nash. Being equipped with the right knowledge is the difference between getting a meeting and closing a deal. This is just the beginning for us.”
In addition to pitch materials and data, the Retail Academy provided Bowers, Studdard and Jacobs with an in-depth analysis of Nash’s existing real estate landscape, including a review of available sites and the retail concepts best suited for each location. The training serves as a powerful jumping-off point for Nash, setting the foundation for a proactive retail recruitment strategy that positions the city to attract new businesses and better serve its residents.
The USDA grant funding that made Nash’s participation possible reflects a broader commitment to strengthening rural communities through economic development investment. Retail recruitment plays a critical role in expanding a community’s tax base, improving quality of life for residents, and reducing retail leakage to neighboring markets.
About Retail Academy
Retail Academy is a program developed by the leading national retail advisory firm, Retail Strategies. The program assists communities in strengthening their retail landscape. Communities will be trained and equipped with the tools and education necessary to attract new retailers to their markets, while providing support to their existing local businesses.
To learn more visit https://www.retailstrategies.com/retailacademy/.
