BEDC Announces Career Training & Technology Center in Partnership with Deep in the Heart Art Foundry

For Immediate Release
September 22, 2020 

Contact: Cameron Cox 
Chief Executive Officer
(512) 332-8870
cameron@bastropedc.org

BEDC Announces Career Training & Technology Center in Partnership with Deep in the Heart Art Foundry

The Bastrop City Council approved an agreement between the Bastrop Economic Development Corporation and Deep in the Heart Art Foundry for business development and workforce training centers. The project, approved by the council on Tuesday, September 22, 2020, includes classroom space and shared training equipment, along with special workforce certifications from Austin Community College.

The BEDC is partnering with Deep in the Heart Art Foundry to expand two businesses in Bastrop at three locations and includes more than $2 million in capital improvements.

ACC, in partnership with BEDC and Texas Workforce Solutions, plans to begin their first phase of mobile training classes in the Bastrop Business & Industrial Park by November 2020. ACC will be offering morning and evening HVAC and welding training and certifications at 402 Technology Drive. Registration for these classes opens in October.

“As part of its agreement with Deep in the Heart Art Foundry, BEDC is funding $355,000 to construct and design this classroom and workshop space and to purchase and maintain equipment for educational purposes,” said Cameron Cox, chief executive officer of BEDC.

Cox said this also includes 1,000 square feet of classroom space and workshop space for ACC and other institutes of higher learning, including The Art Institutes.

In addition to constructing classroom space, Deep in the Heart Art Foundry is expanding their production at 402 Technology Drive to accommodate their business’ growing demand at their current location on Jackson Street in the Bastrop Business & Industrial Park. Deep in the Heart Art Foundry is simultaneously expanding their business model to include an art gallery and restaurant in Historic Downtown Bastrop at the corner of Water and Chestnut Streets.

Deep in the Heart Foundry is purchasing this 7,000-square-foot building, currently owned by Water Street Millworks, and converting it into a state-of-the-art gallery, retail store and restaurant downtown.

“BEDC is funding part of these renovation costs to include updating the electrical, plumbing, HVAC and structural elements and to bring them up to current fire and safety codes in an amount not to exceed $175,000,” Cox said.

Water Street Millworks is then moving its business to 292 Industrial Blvd. to expand its production to meet increased demand. BEDC is helping in this business expansion and relocation costs by providing up to $40,000 in grant funds to offset the costs of moving and renovating the new location for cabinet manufacturing. Deep in the Heart Foundry also plans to partner with The Art Institutes to offer curriculum at its 402 Technology Drive location as well as at the future art gallery at Water & Chestnut Streets.

About the Bastrop Economic Development Corporation

Established in 1995, the Bastrop Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) welcomes you to the next frontier of development for Central Texas. Visit BastropEDC.org for more information.