The Bastrop Economic Development Corporation Celebrates Economic Development Week, May 6th - May 10th

The Bastrop Economic Development Corporation is excited to celebrate Economic Development Week (EDW) from May 6th - May 10th. EDW, established by the International Economic Development Council, highlights the importance of economic development in our region and across the globe.

Economic development is crucial to Bastrop’s growth and prosperity. "Economic development is important because we all love Bastrop and want the city to thrive,” said Angela Ryan, Operations Manager at the Bastrop EDC. From attracting new businesses to supporting existing ones to creating new job opportunities, economic development is a key component to enhancing the quality of life residents enjoy in Bastrop.

Understanding the Role of Bastrop EDC

Economic development is designed to serve Bastrop residents. At its core, economic development involves a range of activities to attract, create, and retain jobs to foster a resilient and growing economy. This collaborative effort requires close coordination between businesses, government entities, and various community stakeholders to achieve sustainable success.

Bastrop EDC dedicates itself to supporting businesses in Bastrop. Our services include:

• Business Retention & Expansion (BRE): Support existing businesses to thrive and expand, creating jobs through infrastructure improvements and resource access.
• Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development: Support small businesses and entrepreneurs with access to capital and technical assistance.
• Incentives: Help businesses access financial services and incentive programs for growth and expansion.
• Workforce Development: Collaborate with agencies to ensure a skilled talent pool, understanding and addressing company workforce needs.

Driving Economic Development: How Bastrop EDC Supports Business Success

We’re fortunate to have resources and partners who have worked with us to create an ideal business environment in Bastrop, Texas. The U.S. Small Business Administration has established a nearby Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in Austin. Small Business owners can attend workshops, get business counseling, or sign up for training to launch or expand their local business.

We’ve also partnered with SCORE in Austin to provide mentorship for small business owners. SCORE mentors are entrepreneurs and executives with the experience needed to guide new business owners toward success. Their facility also hosts in-person and virtual events for training and business development.

Bastrop EDC’s Impact on the Workforce

Workforce development is a critical focus for Bastrop EDC. Through our partnership with Smithville Workforce Training Center, we empower individuals to learn new skills and access training to help them find a job or switch careers. The training center helps both job seekers and employers develop skills needed for high-demand careers and ensures that rural employers have a robust pool of qualified workers.

Community Action, Inc. of Central Texas can also help jobseekers find work. Individuals can get help looking for a job or finding job-related education at 11 centers in the city of Bastrop or in Lee County. For those who are learning English as a second language, day and nighttime classes are available. Finally, Bastrop EDC has partnered with Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area, which provides no-cost recruitment and employment services to businesses and job seekers in our region.

Bastrop EDC: Your Partner in Business Growth and Development

During EDW, we celebrate the hard work and dedication of our economic developers and local leaders, who are committed to driving economic growth and improving our community's quality of life. We invite you to join us in recognizing their efforts and learning more about economic development's impact on our region.

To learn more about how Bastrop EDC can support your business or to get involved in our economic development initiatives, visit https://www.bastropedc.org/.