News and Newsletters
Newsletters
Sales Tax Collections Up
Friday, November 11, 2011: Sales collections for Giddings continue to rebound and are up for the 16th month in a row. This is good news for business owners in Giddings and for the community as a whole. The Giddings EDC portion, received in the month of October, was $46,206.58.
Governor’s Small Business Development Forum Draws Large Crowd For “Rock Solid Principles In A Challenging Economy”
The Giddings Economic Development Corporation in partnership with Giddings Area Chamber of Commerce, Lexington Economic Development and Smithville Chamber of Commerce hosted a Governor’s Small Business Development Forum for a large crowd of area and regional small business owners. The Forum was hosted at the Giddings Public Library & Cultural Center offering an opportunity for small business owners to learn about successful business practices and how to access resources for strengthening their business in a challenging economy.
Presentations were offered by the Texas Workforce Commission, Texas Department of Insurance, Texas Bank for Economic Development, Texas Department of Agriculture, USDA and SCORE. A special segment on “Marketing Research: A Solid Foundation for Good Business Decisions” was sponsored through the Center for Rural Studies, Sam Houston State University.
Special guest speaker Dayna Steele delivered an inspiring and informative message on “Grow Your Business With Rock Solid Principles.” Larry Ruggiano of the Governors’ Office of Small Business Development presented “Best of the Best” recognition to one business from each of the host areas’.
Throughout the Forum the message from Governor Perry was delivered that “Small Business is Big Business in Texas”.
The Governor’s Forum was offered as a resource and information project of Business Retention and Expansion for local community businesses.
Governor’s Small Business Forum Set for Giddings on June 22, 2011
Giddings Economic Development hosts informative, one-day forum for small business owners
GIDDINGS — Small business owners in the Giddings area will benefit from valuable information designed to assist them as they grow and expand their businesses at the Governor’s Small Business Forum “Solid Principles In A Challenging Economy” in Giddings, Texas; from 8a.m. to 2p.m. on Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at the Giddings Public Library and Cultural Center. Giddings was selected by the Office of the Governor to be included in this statewide series of business-building events.
The Governor’s Small Business Forums are designed to educate the Texas entrepreneur and small business community on workforce development, marketing, hiring and managing employees, and training and growth opportunities.
“Small businesses are an integral part of the engine that drives our state economy,” said Gov. Rick Perry. “This forum will give small business owners essential tools to help their businesses succeed, provide jobs for Texans and strengthen the economies in their communities.”
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) will present information on money-saving tools, the $2 million Skills for Small Business Fund, the Texas Back to Work wage subsidy program, and other programs available from state and federal workforce agencies.
Hosted by Giddings Economic Development Corporation the event will feature guest speakers whose business is to help small business. Other area event sponsors include Giddings Area Chamber of Commerce, Lexington Economic Development Corporation and Smithville Chamber of Commerce.
Advance registration; 979-542-2067; kdwgiddingsintern@gmail.com. Registration fee: $10 includes all forum materials and lunch. Forum Details & Registration
The Office of the Governor has partnered with the Texas Workforce Commission and the Rural Capital Area Workforce Solutions as well as local chambers of commerce, business, education, and economic development organizations across Texas.
POLISH DELEGATION VISITS GIDDINGS: Group Looks to Giddings for Economic Development Insight
The Giddings Economic Development Corporation, City of Giddings, and several local businesspersons were given the honor of hosting a delegation from Poland Wednesday, May 25. Three officials visited as representatives of Polish cities. They, and their interpreter, toured the Giddings area to gain an understanding of the development of economic policy at the city level.
The delegation is touring the United States to gather ideas for developing their local economies. Poland, similar to Texas, has large areas of rural space in need of economic development and infrastructure. The visit is sponsored by the International Visitor Leadership Program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Giddings was selected as a stop for the delegation by the International Hospitality Council in Austin.
During a morning meeting, the Polish officials met at the Giddings City Hall with a Texas Department of Agriculture representative, Mrs. Judy Fort, and several Giddings representatives including: Mrs. Joyce Bise, Director of the Giddings Economic Development Corporation; Mrs. Denice Harlan, Director of the Giddings Area Chamber of Commerce; Mr. Brian Boudreaux, Giddings City Manager; Mayor Pro Tem; Mr. Fred Jones; City Council members; Mr. Kevin Schkade and Mr. Gene Parker; Giddings Economic Development Corporation Board members Mr John Simmang, Mr. Clifton Wachsmann and Mr. Joe Franks and Mr. Mark Johnson.
The discussion revolved around questions posed by the Polish representatives regarding cooperative efforts by the City of Giddings and Giddings Economic Development Corporation to maintain local identity and an agricultural base while partnering with the local sector, associations, academia, governmental agencies and other resources to support the development of rural business. Mr. Marcin Tomasz Krupa, Deputy Mayor of Katowice, Poland, was particularly impressed by how Giddings has preserved its heritage. Ms. Joanna Wisniewska-Martynowicz, of the Law and Inspection Department, Swietokrzyskie, Governor’s Office, Kielce, remarked upon Giddings’ successful revitalization of unused buildings and spaces. One objective of the group’s mission is to examine ways in which local governments build city infrastructure to attract new business investment and foster urban development. Mr. Norbert Jozef Rasch, Councilman, Regional Parliament, Opolskie Province, was similarly impressed by development initiatives taken in Giddings.
The group toured the Giddings downtown area and courthouse, then lunched at the City Meat Market where they enjoyed Texas barbeque and indulged in “the richest and best banana pudding” they said they had ever tasted. Following lunch, Mrs. Bise and Mr. Johnson took the delegation on a tour of the Giddings business community, local employers, new and proposed developments and the Wendish Museum and St. Paul Church at Serbin. The visit then wrapped up with an afternoon cup of international coffee and a game of shuffleboard at Serbin’s “Bullpen”. Never having played before, they delighted in the game and exclaimed that they would have to spread the idea to Poland.
The delegation will continue their tour of the U.S. with a stop in Austin, then visit several other states. Before arriving in Giddings, the group visited Washington D.C. to interact with federal officials.
Texas Youth Commission To Conduct Community Meeting
The Texas Youth Commission (TYC) will conduct an informational community meeting in Giddings on Saturday, April 30, 2011, to hear from community leaders, facility employees, members of the public, volunteers and youth advocates about the impact of the Giddings State School on the Giddings community. The meeting will be held in the Giddings High School Cafetorium, located at 2337 North Main Street, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Current and projected budget shortfalls, along with reduced youth populations, will require TYC to close up to three of its 10 secure facilities across the state. The agency has scheduled meetings in each town in which it has a facility to hear from community members about the unique features of the facility and supportive community resources, what the agency would lose by a closure at that location, any ability to repurpose the facilities, how closure would impact the community, and the facilities’ future expansion potential. When closures take place, remaining TYC facilities may be required to expand their youth populations. Agency leaders are interested in hearing whether specific communities have the resources to support an increase in the number of youth and employees.
“The Giddings community has been a very supportive partner of the Giddings State School and Texas Youth Commission for many years,” TYC Executive Director Cherie Townsend said. “As we make some very difficult funding decisions, I believe it is important to hear from the people who could be most affected by these closures.”
The community meeting will be attended by Townsend and TYC Board member Toni Sykora of San Antonio. The meeting is open to the public and anyone interested is invited and encouraged to attend.
COMMUNITY MEETINGS SCHEDULED TO DISCUSS IDEAS FOR STABILIZING REGIONAL ECONOMY
Tuesday, April 5, 2011 Using a grant from the U. S. Department of Labor, high-level community leaders representing seven Texas counties formed a multi-region partnership. The partnership was organized under the name Regional Economic Revitalization and Utilization Planning Council, or Rev-Up Council. Rev-Up Council members represent high-level staff and elected officials from the seven counties’ Councils of Governments and Workforce Boards. Counties studied in the analysis are Bell, Brazos, Burleson, Lee, Milam, Robertson, and Williamson.
Meeting regularly over the past year, the Rev-Up Council worked with local community representatives to identify innovative solutions to stabilize economies after the Alcoa Inc. and subsequent feeder industry closures. Layoffs from company closures began in September 2008 with business closures and layoffs still occurring in some rural counties.
The Rev-Up Council used a U.S. DOL planning grant to contract with TIP Strategies, Inc., a third party consultant. Working closely with the Rev-Up Council, TIP Strategies conducted focus groups, completed a cross-regional assets assessment, and created a cross-regional Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) Analysis. Work and products developed to date are available for public review and comment at www.rev-up-council.org. The results of the multi-pronged analysis will also be presented at local community meetings focused on confirming and refining cross-regional economic stabilization strategies. Meetings are being held at the following dates, times and locations:
- Wednesday, March 9th, 2:00 to 3:45 p.m., Brazos Valley Council of Governments Building, Bryan, TX
- Monday, March 28th, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Patterson Center, Rockdale, TX
- Monday, April 11th, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Giddings City Hall, Giddings, TX
- Tuesday, April 26th, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Taylor Library, Taylor, TX
The Councils of Governments and Workforce Areas participating in and supporting the REV-UP Council include: Brazos Valley, Capital Area, Central Texas, and Rural Capital Area. Employment and training services for the impacted workers and businesses are provided through the local Workforce Centers serving the impacted counties. Workforce programs meet the needs of Texas’ employers through locally-designed, employer-driven workforce development initiatives and services. Specialized workforce funds are available to assist targeted local laid off workers; however, all employers, workers and job seekers, are eligible to take advantage of basic workforce services at their local Workforce Centers.
News Archives
Thursday, December 15, 2011: Special Call Board Meeting scheduled for Monday, December 19, 2011 at 5:00 P.M. Agenda
Saturday, December 10, 2011: The next GEDC meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 12, 2011 Agenda
Friday, November 11, 2011:
Wednesday, November 9, 2011: November Newsletter
Tuesday, November 8, 2011: The next Giddings EDC meeting is scheduled for November 17, 2011 Agenda
Thursday, October 27, 2011: New Data Tool for Lee County Demographics Rural Capital Headlight
Wednesday, October 12, 2011: The next meeting of the Giddings EDC is scheduled for Monday, October 17, 2011. The meeting will begin at 12 P.M. in Council Chambers at City Hall. Agenda
Monday, August 29, 2011: The next meeting of the Giddings EDC is Monday, September 12, 2011. Agenda
Friday, August 5, 2011: Giddings EDC Meeting on Monday, August 8, 2011 Agenda
Wednesday, July 27, 2011: On Target Giddings - Vacant Buildings Program put to use
Friday, July 15, 2011: Giddings/Lee County featured on major national news website CNN. Details & Video
Friday, July 8, 2011: The next meeting of the Giddings Economic Development Corporation will be Monday, July 11, 2011 At 12:00 P.M. The Board meets in Council Chambers at the Giddings Municipal Building. Agenda & Addendum
The Board will also hold a Public Hearing to discuss the 2011-2012 Budget and the Goals & Objectives. Notice & Agenda
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Giddings EDC offers Vacant Building Program: Vacant Building Program Outline Vacant Building Program Application
Friday, July 1, 2011
Governor's Small Business Forum draws large crowd
Thursday, June 30, 2011
The next Giddings EDC meeting will be held on Monday, July 11, 2011 at the Giddings Municipal Building at 12 P.M.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
The next Giddings EDC meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 13, 2011. Join us at the City of Giddings Municipal Building at 12 P.M. Agenda
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Governor’s Small Business Forum set for Giddings on June 22: Giddings Economic Development hosts informative, one-day forum for small business owners Information
Polish Delegation Visits Giddings: Group Looks to Giddings for Economic Development Insight Details
Friday, May 6, 2006
For the tenth straight month sales tax collection figures for Giddings are up. The city's collection amount for April 2011 was $111,847.38. To compare, the total amount collected for April 2010 was $77,495.45. The GEDC portion for April 2011 is $37,282.46. Sales Tax Collection Information
Friday, June 3, 2011
It's official: the Giddings State School will remain open Blog
Thursday, May 5, 2011
The next meeting of the Giddings EDC is Monday, May 9, 2011at 12 P.M. at the EDC Office located in the brick depot building, 289 Railroad Avenue in Downtown Giddings. Agenda
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Giddings EDC Workshop scheduled for Tuesday April 26, 2011 Agenda
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
With closures looming, the Texas Youth Commission will conduct a community meeting in Giddings. The meeting will be held at the High School Cafatorium from 10AM - 2PM on April 30. Details
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
A GEDC workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, April 26 @ 3pm @ City Hall. The Board will be preparing a final draft of Goals & Objectives for the the City Council to review on May 2.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Community meetings scheduled to discuss ideas for stabilizing the regional economy. Details
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
The 2010 U.S. Census population figure for Lee County was released recently: 16,612. More information will be available in the weeks to come.
Monday, March 14, 2011
The March issue of the Giddings EDC Newsletter is now available online. This month we featured local business Airborne Kustomz, the FBO at the Giddings-Lee County Airport. Also, learn more about the indusry award won by Siena Cleaners for their building construction and renovation project.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
The Giddings EDC board meeting for March 14th has been rescheduled for Monday, March 21, 2011.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
In an effort to provide businesses as much information about Giddings as possible, we have added a new Retail Market Profile to this site. The 14 page document, complied by ESRI, provides valuable information including projections for the future. This information can be accessed by clicking on the link located on the lower portion of the "Community Profile and Retail market Study Page".
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
In December the Giddings EDC began the process of adding a List of Commercial Properties to this website. The list currently includes 35 properties, including commercial real estate, commercial real estate w/ buildings, and properties that are for lease. New listings are added as they become available. We have also added a Business Opportunities page to the site which will focus on businesses that are for sale in Giddings
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
The next board meeting for the Giddings Economic Development Corportaion will be Monday, January 10, 2011 @ 12:00 P.M. in Council Chambers at Giddings City Hall.
Monday, January 3, 2011
On Friday, December 17th the GEDC Board hired Kathleen Nowell to promote the Rural Texas Tourism Center. Kathleen began revamping the RTTC website almost immeditely and will work to encourage communities to participate in the RTTC going forward. She is headquartered in the Chamber of Commerce office in the red brick depot building.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Giddings 2020 Survey: The Giddings Economic Development Corporation wants your opinion and is seeking community input with the Giddings 2020 survey. Click the link , fill it out, and send it in. Your opinion matters.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
The U. S. Department of Labor awarded a National Emergency Grant for Central Texas. The grant is for $250,000 and called the Regional Economic Revitalization and Utilization Planning (REV-UP) Project. The project focuses on the region impacted by the Alcoa closings. Three committees are working on this initiative. Representing Lee County on these committees are Joyce M. Bise, GEDC Director, County Judge Paul Fischer & Commissioner Maurice Pitts.
Monday, November 1, 2010
The Giddings Area Chamber of Commerce has completed their move and will now be office-ing in the brick depot with the Giddings Economic Development Corporation.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Rural Texas Tourism Center in Giddings honored as part of the 2010 Best of Small Business Awards given by the Governor's Office of Economic Development and Toursim - Details
Friday, January 14, 2011
Friends of the Depot, the group orgnaized to manage the Rural Texas Tourism Center at the yellow depot in Giddings, has announced that it has been awarded a $2500.00 grant. These funds will come from Union Pacific and will be used for the development and implementation of community exhibits and educational programs for the Tourism Center and Museum.