Bastrop Successes in 2021

Bastrop is Central Texas’ next frontier and this has never been more true than in 2021. Bastrop Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) facilitated and incentivized a number of business relocations, expansions, and negotiations. Bastrop is perfectly situated for companies looking to expand into the Texas market because it is located just a short 30-minute drive from downtown Austin and 20 minutes from the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. 

Bastrop has a growing labor pool too. The population grew 26 percent from 7,218 residents in 2010 to 9,688 in 2020, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Bastrop County is the 18th fastest growing county in Texas located just east of one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, Austin. But above all, the availability of land and building sites has been a significant draw. The benefits and incentives associated with the Bastrop Business and Industrial Park have been key factors in many negotiations.

Bastrop Business and Industrial Park

Bastrop’s Business and Industrial Park — owned by BEDC —  is 263 acres of wooded hills and lush flats strategically located at the juncture of State Highways 71, 95, and 21. About 110 acres are still available in the park, including a 10-acre site and a 2.7-acre site that are currently zoned and available. Incentives for locating in the Business Park are offered on a case-by-case basis to qualifying businesses based on the number of primary jobs created and the amount of capital investment made.

In 2021, BEDC began the process of rezoning and master planning the undeveloped areas of the Bastrop Business and Industrial Park which will include adding ingresses and egresses and making the remaining tracts in the Business Park “shovel-ready.” BEDC is set to spend $1 million of its funds for these infrastructure improvements pending the City Council’s approval as is required by state law.  

BEDC-approved Business and Industrial Park Projects

BEDC has approved three projects in the Business Park this year: Moca Ventures Nebraska, LLC; Coltzin, LLC; and TA Bastrop, LLC. Moca Ventures is a financial technology company that is building a "Google-like campus" on 26.5 acres in the Business Park which could eventually employ up to 700 people. 

On November 15, BEDC approved a pair of agreements with Coltzin LLC, a food manufacturer, and TA Bastrop LLC, an industrial adhesives manufacturer, to reimburse the companies for purchasing property in the Business Park: $230,000 and $300,000 respectively. Reimbursements are contingent on minimum thresholds for capital investment and job creation. Both agreements require approval from Bastrop City Council and are tentatively scheduled for the agendas during the December and January meetings. 

Once these three projects receive final approval from Bastrop City Council, a combined $23.5 million in capital investment will be realized. The three businesses will occupy 77,500-117,5000 square feet over approximately 40 acres in the Business Park. These businesses plan to hire a minimum of 340 employees. 

921 Main Street and Workforce Development

The Art Institute of Austin relocated to Bastrop after BEDC completed construction of the building at 921 Main Street. The Art Institute was able to lease it in time for in-person classes to begin over the past summer. In addition to the employment opportunities and the higher education options brought to Bastrop by the relocation, BEDC worked with The Art Institute to develop a workforce training program designed specifically for local restaurants. 

BEDC also worked with the Bastrop Independent School District to continue its efforts to offer workforce training in skills development like welding and HVAC by creating a virtual mentorship program for students. These mentorships were possible through BEDC’s workforce development partners such as Austin Community College (ACC), Workforce Solutions, and Community Action. 

Looking to the Future

BEDC is anticipating the upcoming year to be just as eventful with an eye on continued improvements. An agreement has been entered with Corix Utilities to perform a wastewater feasibility study in the extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) area to the west of Bastrop, an area of increased interest for development.  

In the works, Elon Musk's tunneling startup, The Boring Company, has purchased land northwest of Bastrop and a Southern California-based company is working on Bastrop 552, a 546-acre film production campus. Compassionate Cultivation, a medical cannabis provider, broke ground in August on a new 95,000-square-foot headquarters complex.

BEDC also looks forward to the completion of the multi-modal trail connecting to the river walk to form a 1.8-mile-loop trail that connects Bastrop's residential areas to retail and other commercial businesses.

Strategic plan goals will continue to a focus for BEDC including:

• Continuing to work with workforce development partners to ensure our workforce is aligned with the needs of current and future employers.
• Completing the master planning for the Bastrop Business and Industrial Park and making the remaining portions shovel-ready thereby expediting the development of the sites.
• Diversifying Bastrop's economy by recruiting new retail and industry to the city while helping to grow existing businesses.
• Reinvigorating efforts toward entrepreneurship and small business development.
• Considering funding a feasibility study for a sports complex for local use and as a destination attraction for amateur sports.