The former director of the Economic Development Department authorized a handful of grant awards that violated city code restrictions, according to a new investigative report from the Office of the City Auditor. The report concludes that Sylnovia Holt-Rabb, who retired in December, allowed four arts organizations to receive Live Music Fund grants for projects that […]
Economic Development Department
This city department heads up business recruitment, urban regeneration, small business development, arts, and music for the city.
Posted inCity Hall
Jobs and redevelopment take center stage in annual economic development report
The Economic Development Department says it supported more than 27,000 jobs and distributed over $54 million in community investments during fiscal year 2024, according to its recently released annual report. The report outlines the department’s evolving priorities, including the transfer of its cultural programs to a new Office of Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment and […]
Posted inAustin
Workshops helping city gear up business expansion, place-based incentive programs
Ahead of a planned rollout in May, the city is hoping a series of workshops this month will generate interest in its updated business expansion and upcoming place-based enhancement incentive programs. The programs, which were recently approved by City Council, are designed to assist small businesses and creative-sector tenants facing rising real estate pressures. Three […]
Posted inCity Hall
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 small business participation and better align with Austin’s living wage policies. According to a memo […]
Posted inPlanning
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 director of the Economic Development Department, explained that despite City Council’s directive to support economic […]
Posted inCity Hall
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 Office of Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment will operate as a stand-alone entity led by […]
Posted inCity Hall
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 by a group of five City Council members, also found conflicting messaging and intent with […]
Posted inCity Council
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 due in part to the recent trend of canceling work sessions on the Tuesday prior […]
Posted inAustin
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. At last month’s meeting, the commission received a presentation from Matthew Schmidt, a program manager […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
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 a presentation about a new place-based incentives program the Economic Development Department hopes will make […]
Posted inPlanning
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 the community feedback process, is a new initiative from the Economic Development Department that is […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
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 Tax revenue, will open to applicants on May 21. This year’s program includes a $1 […]