Bulverde Spring Branch Economic Development Foundation

THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, THE FOUNDATION CONTINUED TO ADVOCATE AND SUPPORT INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS TO IMPACT FUTURE QUALITY OF LIFE INCLUDING SUPPORT OF GOVERNMENTAL JURISDICTIONS AND ENTITIES WITH EFFECTIVE GROWTH MANAGEMENT AND AUTHORITY TO PROTECT QUALITY OF LIFE, SUPPORT EFFORTS TO IMPROVE WATER AND WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE, AND SUPPORT HIGHWAY AND ROAD IMPROVEMENTS. THE FOUNDATION ALSO CONTINUED TO TAKE ACTION TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS FOR EXISTING LOCAL BUSINESSES, IMPLEMENT A BUSINESS RETENTION AND EXPANSION PROGRAM, SUPPORT CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT OF SENIOR HOUSING, OFFER INFORMATIONAL PROGRAMS AND SUPPORT TO LOCAL BUSINESSES, ESTABLISH A PROGRAM TO ENCOURAGE LOCAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP, AND DEVELOP EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE AND FOCUS OF MANAGED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. THE FOUNDATION IS FORMALLY CHARGED TO COMMUNICATE AND IMPLEMENT ITS STRATEGIC PLAN. TO THIS END, THE FOUNDATION CONTINUED SUBMITTING ARTICLES FOR FRONT PORCH NEWS WHEN THERE IS SIGNIFICANT INFORMATION TO SHARE WITH THE PUBLIC, CONTINUED TO POST CONTENT ON THE BSBEDF FACEBOOK PAGE HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM AND LIKE OR SHARE OTHER INFORMATIONAL POSTINGS, AND CONTINUED WORKING AS NEEDED WITH GVTC, ON POSITIVE MEDIA COVERAGE FOR THE FOUNDATION'S SERVICE AREA, BOTH PROACTIVE AND REACTIVE. THE FOUNDATION REDESIGNED ITS WEBSITE EARLY IN THE YEAR TO PROVIDE MORE USEFUL INFORMATION ABOUT ITS ACTIVITIES AND ECONOMIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION OF THE AREA.THE FOUNDATION CONTINUED ACTIVELY WORKING TO RECRUIT NEW MEMBERS AND ENCOURAGE CURRENT MEMBERS WHOSE 3-YEAR COMMITMENT IS ENDING TO RENEW FOR ANOTHER 3-YEAR TERM. THE FOUNDATION CONTINUED TO WORK WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS, STAFF OF VARIOUS GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES, REGIONAL PARTNERS, GOVERNORS OFFICE, ETC. TO FORM COLLABORATIONS AS A MEANS TO CARRY OUT THE FOUNDATIONS STRATEGIC PLAN; ACTIVELY WORK WITH THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AS A VOTING BOARD MEMBER AND MEMBER OF THE GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL TO DISCUSS ISSUES OF CONCERN WITH GOVERNMENTAL PROCESSES, ATTEND GOVERNMENTAL MEETINGS TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR PROJECTS; ATTEND CHAMBER LEADS GROUP MEETINGS TO LEARN OF NEW BUSINESSES COMING TO AREA AND SHARE INFORMATION AS ABLE AND APPROPRIATE.DURING 2017 THE FOUNDATION BEGAN A TARGETED BUSINESS ATTRACTION PROGRAM TO ESTABLISH A MARKETING PROGRAM WHICH ARTICULATES THE BULVERDE/SPRING BRANCH ADVANTAGE FOR BUSINESS. IN 2018, THE FOUNDATION CONTINUED THIS PROJECT BY WORKING WITH THE YMCA ON POTENTIAL NAMES FOR THE STEERING COMMITTEE TO HELP WITH VISIONING THE PROJECT AND START THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN. THE FOUNDATION CONTINUED TO WORK WITH A POTENTIAL MAJOR EMPLOYER IN FINDING A SUITABLE SITE ON WHICH TO LOCATE ITS OPERATION. THE CLIENT HAS SELECTED A SITE AND HAS IT UNDER CONTRACT. THE COMPANY IS WORKING THROUGH ITS DUE DILIGENCE AND MET FAVORABLY WITH THE CITY OF BULVERDE WITH REGARD TO ZONING, DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS.IN ADDITION, THE FOUNDATION CONTINUED TO WORK WITH A STARTUP BREWERY WHICH IS EVALUATING WASTEWATER OPTIONS AT A PARTICULAR LOCATION TO DETERMINE IF THE SITE IS FEASIBLE.AS PART OF ITS HOUSING DIVERSITY PROGRAM, THE FOUNDATION CONTINUES TO WORK WITH TWO DEVELOPERS OF SENIOR HOUSING WHO ARE COMPETING FOR HOUSING CREDITS FROM THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS. DUE TO RESTRICTED FUNDS, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT BOTH PROJECTS WILL BE FUNDED.DURING THE YEAR, THE FOUNDATION TEAMED UP WITH ALAMO MANUFACTURING PARTNERSHIP, A PROGRAM WITHIN THE INSTITUTE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT SAN ANTONIO TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR A TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: SMALL-SCALE MANUFACTURING & PLACE-BASED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GRANT OFFERED BY SMART GROWTH AMERICA IN PARTNERSHIP WITH RECAST CITY THROUGH AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION FEDERAL FUNDS AWARD. THE JOINT APPLICATION WAS NOT SELECTED TO BE FUNDED.THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE FOUNDATION AND COMAL COUNTY WAS RENEWED FOR ANOTHER YEAR.IN THE COMING YEAR, THE FOUNDATION WILL CONTINUE WITH THESE AND OTHER INITIATIVES TO FACILITATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE FOUNDATION'S SERVICE AREA.