The Bastrop Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) was established in 1995, after the citizens of Bastrop voted to pass a one-half cent sales tax dedicated to economic development. Because the organization’s primary function is to bring meaningful and rewarding employment to the citizens of Bastrop, the BEDC acquired 263 acres near the intersection of Highways 71 and 95 – a prime location for potential businesses – and created the Bastrop Business & Industrial Park. Since then, several companies have either joined our community or expanded operations here, including Garments to Go, the Coghlan Group, Dig Tech/Line Tech, Bargas Medical Manufacturing, Bluebonnet Trails MHMR, KKG Bastrop Investments, and Deep in the Heart Art Foundry, which has recently expanded their business for a third time!

This year, the BEDC Board of Directors is planning to complete the roads and infrastructure in the industrial park, which will open up another 90 acres for development. BEDC’s close association with Opportunity Austin, the Governor’s office of Economic Development, and regional real estate partners has brought numerous prospects who are considering Bastrop for expansion or relocation.

As the community continues to grow, the BEDC is hard at work to bring the types of businesses and development that our residents desire. BEDC works closely with developers, such as where Lowe’s, Best Buy, PETCO, Spec’s, and Carl’s Jr. opened last year. Other projects on the horizon include hotels, restaurants, and additional shopping centers.

The City of Bastrop may have a population of only 8,300, but our trade area is over 160,000 -- residents from 20 neighboring communities come here for shopping, dining, and entertainment. Not only is this good for Bastrop’s businesses, it also increases our sales tax revenue, which has risen an impressive 300% in 10 years! BEDC’s President & CEO, Joe Newman, regularly attends marketing events, trade shows, and other conferences in an effort to bring additional retail and industrial prospects to Bastrop.

In addition to bringing new businesses to the area, BEDC also contributes to existing companies. BEDC pays about half of the operational expenses of the Texas Main Street Program for Bastrop. They also fund the Downtown Façade Renovation Grant Program. To date, BEDC has contributed over $329,000 towards the renovation and restoration of more than 50 Bastrop businesses, helping to preserve the historic charm of the city. BEDC’s most ambitious undertaking (aside from the Industrial Park, of course) is the Loop 150/Chestnut Street Improvement Project, which will be completed in time for the opening of the new Bastrop Convention and Expo Center. The Chestnut Street Improvement Project includes historic medallions, landscaping, underground utilities, sidewalks, historic lighting, and entryways, at a total cost of over $2 million, funded by BEDC. Additionally, BEDC helps fund parks department programs, beautification projects, parking lots, utility improvements, infrastructure development, and much more in commercial areas.

As mentioned above, the BEDC is funded primarily with a one-half cent sales tax. Local sales tax is a huge portion of the City’s and Bastrop County’s budget. Did you know that if you purchase a $100 taxable item at a Bastrop retail store, the sales tax is $8.25? Of that amount, $6.25 goes to the State Comptroller for use in state government, $0.50 goes to Bastrop County to help fund roads, the sheriff’s department, etc., and $1.50 goes to the City of Bastrop. Those sales tax dollars fund streets, parks, the police and fire departments, and economic development. Similarly, if you shop in Austin, $1.00 goes to the City of Austin and $1.00 goes to their mass transit authority. Thank you for shopping in Bastrop and helping to support our community’s progress!

For 15 years, BEDC has never wavered from its mission, which is “To enhance the quality of life in Bastrop, by providing appropriate infrastructure and by promoting and assisting the kind of economic development in our community which will provide the people of Bastrop meaningful and rewarding employment opportunities and greater access to desirable goods and services.”  For more information about the Bastrop Economic Development Corporation, please contact the BEDC office at (512) 303-9700.

Joe D. Newman, President
Bastrop Economic Development Corp.