Blog: On Target Giddings
GEDC rounds out busy 2011 with incentives package to attract oilfield manufacturing firm
Thursday, December 29, 2011
The GIddings EDC Board worked for over an hour in executive session on Monday, December 19th to hammer out an incentives package for an un-named oilfield manufacturing company that is looking for a place to call home.The company, according to GEDC Director Joyce Bise, manufactures parts used in the oilfield fracing process. It also manufactures and distributes municipal and industrial flocculants and coagulants used to clean wastewater.
The project was presented to the Giddings EDC by Governor Rick Perry’s office. The company expects to create 6-10 jobs initially, and then add 10-30 jobs in the ensuing three to five year period.
The EDC Board voted to offer the company, whose code name is "Titan Son," rental assistance of $1,200.00 per month for one year, if it locates in Giddings. The company would also receive incentive money from the GEDC to equal part of the amount of sales tax it generates for the City of Giddings. This amount will be 50% of sales tax generated in the first year, 33% of the amount generated in the second year, and 20% of the amount generated in the third year.
This initiative rounded out a very busy year for the EDC. The Board also worked, in 2011, to create a viable Empty Buildings Program that has already helped businesses fill some to the buildings that were left vacant by the downturn in both the U.S. and Texas economy.
Sales tax collections have risen steadily over the past several months in Giddings and that is a sign that the economy is on the upswing. The Giddings EDC portion of sales tax collections, received in the month of October, was $46,206.58. This marked the 16th month in a row that collections for Giddings had rebounded over and above the same months in prior years.
Things are looking up for Giddings and the GEDC is taking a proactive approach to see that Giddings is a progressive place to do business in Texas.
Posted by Dana Lehmann GEDC Marketing Manager
Giddings EDC Vacant Buildings Program put to use
With approximately 25-30 vacant building in and around the Giddings area, the Giddings EDC recently finalized its Vacant Buildings Program. The program is designed to offer financial incentives to businesses who occupy (own or lease) vacant buildings in Giddings.
The plan, which is highlighted in the GEDC July Newsletter and included on the website, was completed and put into place in June and July. At the July 11th GEDC meeting the Board approved two applications. Mary's Clinic (which will occupy the former Burn's Clinic Building) and H&R Block (which will occupy the former Bridal Shop Building) were each approved to receive the maximum funding from the program - $,5000.00. Both businesses tallied more than 30 points using the program's scoring criteria - which took into consideration job creation, capital investment, and building usage. Part of H&R Block's plan is business expansion which helped them qualify for assistance. The business, which was recently sold to a new owner, is looking to move to the Highway 290 facility where it can focus on more than just tax preparation.
Funds provided by the program will be paid out over an 18 month period, as long as certain guidelines are followed and documentation is provided to GEDC staff. The GEDC Board hopes to use the program to spur business development and expansion in Giddings and fill in the gaps left by the recent economic downturn.
Posted by Dana Lehmann GEDC Marketing Manager
TYC/Giddings State School to remain open
Officials from the Texas Youth Commission (TYC) and the Giddings State School have announced that the Giddings State School will remain open. Several agencies, including the Giddings EDC, worked with the local community to present Giddings and the local State School in a positive light. The efforts of all those involved were successful as the State decided to close facilities in Beaumont, Crockett, and Brownwood. Facility closures were necessary because appropriations for TYC for the fiscal year 2012-13 biennium will be reduced by $116.9 million.
The TYC Board's decisions were based on detailed and lengthy reviews of strategic information relating to the expected need for future youth offender services within the funding limitations. Their review included eight community meetings to hear directly from community leaders, staff, and volunteers at each location regarding potential impacts of either facility expansion or closure. According to a release issued by the TYC, the Board was impressed by the many services highlighted at each meeting and their outcomes, the positive changes that are occurring at the facilities, and the dedication of staff and volunteers. The decisions were exceptionally difficult, according to the release, the Board was profoundly aware of the effects on TYC youth as well as on over 700 staff and their families and communities. For Giddings that means the retention of 435 jobs that are directly associated with the facility. The school's economic impact on Giddings is huge and if the school would have closed the affect on Giddings and the surrounding area could have be devastating.
The Giddings State School originally opened in 1972. At that time, the facility was designed to provide residential services for younger boys who were runaways or who had been adjudicated as delinquents for their involvement in minor offenses. In 1980, Giddings State School was designated as the maximum restriction facility of the Texas Youth Commission, and today, Giddings State School operates as a high-restriction facility. Youth at Giddings State School participate in programs designed to promote personal accountability by removing justifications for delinquent behavior, and by providing skills that will enable these youth to make pro-social choices in the future.
The school operates with an annual payroll of almost $15 million.
Posted by Dana Lehmann GEDC Marketing Manager
Visiting California
We recently took a trip to California to pick up a piece of equipment for my husbands business. We traveled through New Mexico, Arizona, and Nevada, eventually making our way to Palm Springs, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. We visited the Grand Canyon (beautiful), the Hoover Dam (amazing), the Golden Gate Bridge (cool), and went to Las Vegas to try our luck. The weather was cool and crisp, basically awesome.
The eight day trip took us to some of the most amazing scenery in the world but we were all so happy to be back home in Lee County. California, New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona... it's nice to visit but I'm so happy I live in the great State of Texas.
Posted by Dana Lehmann, GEDC Marketing Manager
EDC Board works to refine Goals and Objectives
With a primary focus of attracting higher wage industry jobs, the Giddings EDC has been working to refine its Goals and Objectives for 2010-2011. Meeting together in several workshops, the Board has focused on three goals; Higher Wage Industry Jobs, Business Retention, Expansion & Recruitment, and Tourism. The Board expects to have the revised set of Goals and Objectives finalized and in place in the coming weeks. We will be posting the new Goals and Objectives once they have been approved by the EDC Board and the Giddings City Council.
Posted by Dana Lehmann, GEDC Marketing Manager
A prosperous new year
Here's to Giddings and all of the great people and businesses that call Giddings home. The Giddings EDC sends it's best wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous new year.
Posted by Dana Lehmann, GEDC Marketing Manager
An exciting holiday season in Giddings, Texas
It's an exciting time to enjoy the holiday season in Giddings Texas. There's so much to see and do, and in keeping with small town traditions and values, promoters have kept Christ in Christmas.
Lights of Tejas is a spectacular display of the Christmas story, narrated with lights and music. The folks at Camp Tejas, located just south of Giddings, have pulled out all the stops in an effort to offer a fun and inspirational event geared toward the entire family. The display includes over 800,000 lights, many of which are timed to music and the beautiful and inspirational story of Christmas. While it's no excuse to skip Sunday services at church, it is very much worth the drive and the price of admission, $5.
As far as the facilities, Tejas offers lots to enjoy including dinner and/or refrestments, a bounce house, an awesome zip line ride (I had to be pushed off the 50 foot platform) and much more.
Right here in town, the First Assembly of God church offers the Christmas Story narrated light show daily from 6-11 PM (shows every 30 min.). The group began running the shows in late November and will continue to offer them through December 31st. This event is located at the church facility 1050 N. Orange Street in Giddings. Narration of the story can be found on FM 100.9Lee County has decorated up the courthouse again this year, lots of lights and a lovely manger scene.
Also, various businesses have been opened their doors with holiday festivities for the public - this year's Christmas Open House season. All the local banks and a number of other businesses have presented food, fun, music, and festive cheer this holiday season.Posted by Dana Lehmann, GEDC Marketing Manager
