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Tag Archives: Economic Development Department

City readies final changes to revised business expansion programs

The Economic Development Department has announced final modifications to its Business Expansion Program, a key component of the city’s Chapter 380 economic development incentives. The updates, approved by City Council in September 2024 under Ordinance 20240926-013, are designed to increase…

City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 20, 2025

Resource, funding needs will delay South Shore cultural district until 2027

The South Shore Cultural District remains in limbo as the city prioritizes funding and resources for other cultural districts, pushing any substantial progress on South Shore until at least Fiscal Year 2027. A recent city memo from Anthony Segura, interim…

Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 19, 2025

City opens new office to address arts, music and cultural needs

The city has announced the creation of a new office that will consolidate the operations of the Music and Entertainment Division and the Cultural Arts Division, in a decision intended to improve support for the city’s creative industries. The new…

City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • Feb 20, 2025

Auditor examines city's shifting funding, expectations for Cultural Arts grants

A recent report from the City Auditor highlights a recurring state of flux for Cultural Arts funding in recent years, which has fed into the ongoing debate over how the city manages those grant programs. The audit, which was requested…

City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • Oct 30, 2024

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Incentive programs, cultural district framework headed back to Council after postponement

City Council appears set to vote on a trio of Economic Development Department programs that were postponed from the Sept. 12 meeting because of concerns that Council members hadn’t had enough time to review and suggest changes. The delay was…

City Council • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 25, 2024

Arts Commission sees potential in proposed cultural district framework

The Arts Commission expressed early support recently for the Economic Development Department’s plans to simplify and standardize the process for creating cultural and economic districts, with the expectation that more districts will be established and funded in the coming years.…

Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 1, 2024

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Music Commission recommends fine-tuning city incentives for music venues, creative spaces

Members of the Music Commission want the city to explore more ways for a proposed incentive program for small businesses to address some of the specific real estate realities live music venues face throughout the city. Last week’s meeting included…

Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 12, 2024

City examining incentives for arts spaces, child care centers, grocery stores

The city is expected to launch a new incentive program for small businesses such as grocery stores, child care centers and creative spaces that bring needed community benefits to underserved areas. The place-based enhancement program, which is currently going through…

Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 4, 2024

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City offers $4.5M for musicians, venues in latest Live Music Fund

Local musicians and qualifying independent music venues will be able to apply for $4.5 million in grants available in the second cohort of the Live Music Fund. The program, which was approved by City Council in 2019 using Hotel Occupancy…

Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • May 16, 2024

Red River music venues push Council on funding expected from February resolution

Leaders of the Red River Cultural District are pushing City Council members and staff to carry out a February resolution that was intended to secure annual funding to help planning and marketing efforts for the downtown cluster of live music…

Budget • By Chad Swiatecki • May 15, 2024

EDC seeks financial consultants to kickstart deal-making using city assets

With the Austin Economic Development Corporation still lacking control over substantial revenue-producing city assets, the organization has issued a request for proposals for consultants to advise on how to start putting its bonding authority and other financial tools to use.…

Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • May 13, 2024

Music Commission's $3M budget request includes HAAM funds, marketing program

The Music Commission has asked the city for just over $3 million in the next budget to expand some existing programs and provide added economic and medical assistance for local musicians. At Monday’s meeting, the commission unanimously approved six requests…

Budget • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 6, 2024

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