Bonham -- Perhaps the ripples of the building boom in the northern sector of the metroplex are beginning to reach Bonham.

With $60 million in various projects underway, Bonham is experiencing an unprecedented spate of construction.

"I've never seen this much construction and interest from companies that are considering Bonham," said Roy Floyd, a man who has served as mayor for 25 years.

Floyd credits Bonham Industrial Foundation, a private, non-profit organization with a primary goal of bringing jobs to Bonham, for providing impetus for much of the new industrial developments.

TxDOT is leading the way with two projects that total a combined $34 million. The expansion of four-lane traffic on U.S. 82 from Bells to Bonham is estimated to cost $26 million and is ahead of schedule. The expansion of State Highway 121 North is significantly behind schedule, however this $8 million project will result in a four-lane thoroughfare with a landscaped, divided median that will serve the fastest growing section of Bonham.

Educational opportunities play a vital role in the growth of any community, and Bonham ISD, as well as Morning Star Academy are both making marked improvements.

Morning Star Academy is expanding to accommodate enrollment for children six weeks old through 6th grade next school year.  Conveniently located just over 20 minutes from the Sherman-Denison area, Morning Star Academy is affordably priced thousands of dollars less than comparable academic facilities, although there really isn't an academy in the region that can match the amenities of Morning Star Academy.

From green building concepts to a challenging curriculum to the most advanced security system possible, every stone, every class and every design at Morning Star Academy has been carefully scrutinized by professionals. The result is a remarkable educational opportunity unparalleled in the region. Construction costs for phase 1 and phase 2 at this state-of-the-art academic facility are estimated to be $12 million.

At the same time, Bonham ISD has managed to make many eye-catching improvements without impacting tax rates. In the fall of 2014, the Bonham Warriors will play on new artificial turf in a stadium with a capacity approaching 8,000 spectators. The next phase of construction at Bonham ISD will be a turf-covered softball field located slightly west of the baseball diamond.

For the past two years, the most-asked question in Bonham has been, "When are we getting our new hotel?" The answer is, construction is already underway and the hotel could be open in time for the Christmas holidays. Crews are at work now as developer G.K. Reddy begins construction of a Holiday Inn Express near the junction of State Highway 56 and State Highway 121.

Phase 2 of this development calls for the construction of a 50-room extended-stay Reddy Hotel.  Mr. Reddy is also developing addition retail space along Hwy. 121, with the total of all three projects extimated at slightly more than $8 million.

Bonham has also been fortunate that Kelso Technologies and Renlita Doors North America, LLC decided to base their operations locally.

Just over four months ago, state, county and city officials gathered for the ceremonial groundbreaking at Kelso Technologies' 44,000 square foot production facility in Bonham Industrial Park. Construction cost is estimated to be $2.4 million and the production facility should be completed in mid 2014.

With the economy continuing to rebound are rail traffic increasing, Kelso will eventually ramp up to more than 50 full-time employees.

Renlita Doors, a Bonham, Texas-based manufacturer of custom engineered doors significantly expanded of its factory with the acquisition of a 28,000 square foot production facility and now employs 15 full-time workers.

Another Bonham manufacturing company celebrated a milestone achievementlast year as Clayton Homes employees gathered to celebrate the completion of the company's 25,000th home built at the Bonham location.

The City of Bonham is also investing in its future by assisting TxDOT in the construction of 12 new hangars at Jones Field, along with installing 4,200 square feet of apron space near the hangars. A $1.6 million TxDOT aviation grant, matched by $160,000 from the City of Bonham, is funding this addition.  With 23 people on the waiting list for new hangars, this capitol improvement will meet almost half of the current demand.  A slight increase in hangar rental fees and the addition of a dozen new hangars will result in a positive cash flow for the City of Bonham.

A large quanset hut-type hangar at Jones Field collapsed under the weight of ice this past winter, but it will be rebuilt at an estimated cost of $200,000.

The City of Bonham is also wrapping up improvements at Lake Bonham Recreational Area. More camping pads and electrical upgrades to 50-amp outlets will provide better service to campers at one of the better fishing lakes in the area.

Trans Cable International (TCI), located in the east end of the former General Cable plant, is completing testing and beginning to hire additional employees.  TCI invested approximately $2 million in machinery and installation and expects to have 15-20 full-time workers once production is running at full speed. 

Dalnor Systems, LLC it the newest member of the Bonham industrial community.  Bonham Industrial Foundation assisted by paying for environmental studies and Dalnor is expected to locate its aviation-related, 12,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility on the west side of Jones Field in Bonham.  W.N. "Mark" Fangio, president of Dalnor Systems, will be relocating to Bonham from New Mexico, along with family members and critical employees.

Dollar General recently opened its new store at the corner of State Highway 78 and FM 273 as Bonham continues to growth northward toward what will soon be the biggest development in the history of Fannin County.

Nothing has ever had the potential to alter the landscape of Fannin County on a scale that compares to the proposed 6,526-acre Lower Bois d'Arc Creek Reservoir. To fully understand the impact of this project, it is necessary to consider that a pipeline will carry water to a treatment plant in Leonard, Texas and that NTMWD has also purchased approximately 15,000 acres of mitigation land, including more than seven miles of frontage on Red River, which will eventually be public access land.

Work is expected to begin in 2017 and the reservoir will be filling by 2021.  Construction of the dam to impound the proposed Lower Bois d’Arc Reservoir, intake pump station, water treatment plant, terminal storage reservoirs, and associated pipeline infrastructure will cost about $400 million, including planned future water treatment plant expansions.  A project of this magnitude will bring construction jobs that give way to new business and recreational jobs and opportunities. New lake homes will bolster county and school district tax rolls.

On a more immediate timeframe, City of Bonham residents will soon have a chance to increase local sales tax revenue. At the local election May 10, voters in Bonham will have an opportunity to decide whether or not to allow beer and wine sales, as well as the sale of mixed beverages in restaurants by food and beverage certificate holders. A significant increase in sales tax revenue could lead to better streets and overall ammenities.

"A substantial increase in sales tax revenue would allow us to do things we just aren't able to do now," remarked Mayor Floyd.

If voters decide to allow the sale of mixed beverages in restaurants by food and beverage certificate holders, that would likely attract new restaurants that also add to sales tax revenue while also creating new jobs.