This summer, City Council rushed to provide economic relief to small businesses and nonprofits shouldering the burden of closures during the first few months of the Covid-19 pandemic. On Thursday, as they ratified a contract with the Better Business Bureau for services performed in awarding funding under three programs, Council members still had questions about […]
Economic Development Department
This city department heads up business recruitment, urban regeneration, small business development, arts, and music for the city.
Posted inAustin
Questions arise about how BBB administers grants
At Tuesday’s City Council work session, Mayor Steve Adler asked Sylnovia Holt-Rabb, the acting director of the Economic Development Department, to explain what went into the selection of the Better Business Bureau to administer nearly $26 million in federal emergency funds the city received for Covid-19 relief grants for small businesses, nonprofits and creative workers. […]
Posted inAustin
Economic Development Department outlines plans for $12M creative space bond, creation of Austin EDC
The Economic Development Department outlined its plan for a $12 million creative space bond and a city-owned economic development corporation that could help it along at a joint meeting of the arts and music commissions Friday. The city launched a request for information on Aug. 27 as the first step in an effort to create city-owned creative […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
City opens grant program to assist creatives impacted by Covid-19
Artists and workers involved in the city’s creative economy can apply today for $2,000 awards from Austin’s new Creative Worker Relief Grant program. The program, which has $3.5 million in total funding, is the latest spun up by the Economic Development Department in response to the job losses caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. It is the […]
Posted inCity Hall
Report lays out possible structure for new economic development corporation
A consultant’s report recommends the city move to create an economic development corporation modeled after existing bodies in New York City, Philadelphia and Atlanta to allow for fast and flexible development deals around the city. The report from QBL Partners presents possible next steps for the EDC effort, which has been brewing behind the scenes […]
Posted inAustin
Council wants ‘bridge aid’ for residents, businesses ahead of federal COVID-19 help
City Council directed staff to move quickly in the coming weeks to allocate direct payments and other forms of aid to residents and small businesses that have taken a severe financial hit from the COVID-19 pandemic. A wide-reaching item passed on the consent agenda Thursday directs city staffers to “develop programs to support Austinites that […]
Posted inAustin
Kitchen, Tovo to push for speed in addressing housing, cultural preservation efforts
City Council members who have in the past pushed to create an external entity to pursue public/private partnerships and other opportunities focused around city priorities appear ready to direct staff to accelerate the process. In a report completed late last month, the Economic Development Department found it would need 12 months of work with an […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
City releases road map for ‘agent of change,’ sound compatibility issues
The city’s Economic Development and Development Services departments will spend much of the next 12 months implementing a variety of measures to reduce noise complaints and other issues that arise between residents and nearby entertainment businesses. On Wednesday, EDD released a summary of the steps that will need to be taken at the administrative level […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Club owners, developers’ input sought for agent of change survey
The city’s Music and Entertainment division is pushing for more music and entertainment venue operators and members of the local development community to take a survey that will play a major role in shaping the long-brewing “agent of change” ordinance governing noise issues near entertainment districts. The city’s call for more survey participation comes after […]
Posted inDevelopment
City quietly moving forward on redevelopment portfolio properties
Behind-the-scenes work on the redevelopment of four city-owned parcels is continuing, with requests for proposal resolutions for three of the properties expected to come before City Council by the end of March. The four properties are: an Austin Energy parcel at Justin Lane and Ryan Drive; the former Home Depot property on East St. Johns […]
Posted inAustin
City taps UT incubator to meet 2040 zero waste goal
The city and the Austin Technology Incubator at the University of Texas are turning to startup companies to help find a solution to dramatically reduce waste headed to landfills from Austin. ATI’s new Circular Economy Incubator, which launched last month, has a handful of enrolled startups and is seeking more by offering investment, mentoring and […]
Posted inBudget
Chamber groups’ funding would become leveled under proposed process
Austin’s Economic Development Department is in the beginning stages of restructuring how local chambers of commerce are funded by the city, with the goal of making the funding more equitable and available to more groups. A recent memo from interim EDD Director Rebecca Giello details the options for opening a stakeholder process that would convene […]