Staff Report
With a burgeoning city, the Buda Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is busy. Typically, according to EDC Executive Director Ann Miller, she reports to Buda City Council during executive session, discussing economic incentives.
At Tuesday night’s council meeting, Miller spoke publicly.
“I wanted to talk about what we do, the projects we’ve worked on and [their] impact,” she said.
The EDC, funded by city taxes, offers a Buda Business Development Program to improve a facade or remodel an existing building. The EDC also offers a small business permit fee program where 50 percent of permit fees are rebated for relocation or expansion.
Miller said of the seven businesses that recently considered Buda, she feels the city looks strong in two.
“[They like] the community, our workforce, low taxes, and the ease of doing business,” Miller said. “Our primary barrier is the lack of available industrial buildings.”
But she said the EDC is talking with developers about spec projects for more industrial buildings.
Since 2013, Miller said EDC projects have added $12.8 million to the assessed value of property.