Item 2- Economic Development Department presentation — original pdf

Backup

Economic Development Department Sylnovia Holt-Rabb, Director September 11, 2024 Economic Development Department Leadership Team Sylnovia Holt-Rabb Director Anthony Segura Deputy Director Morgan Messick Assistant Director Cultural Arts Ann Eaton Assistant Director Workforce Development & Business C I TY O F A U S T I N Mission and Vision The City of Austin's Economic Development Department supports and recruits businesses to Austin through all divisions. Our mission is to promote a competitive, sustainable, and equitable economy for all. C I TY O F A U S T I N 3 Economic Development Department Overview Arts Business Music C I TY O F A U S T I N Cultural Arts Cultural Arts Division The Cultural Arts Division (CAD) plays a key role in fostering the city's creative economy by managing cultural arts programs that support the community’s cultural identity and vitality. Key Initiatives Include: • Cultural Arts Funding Program: Contracts with arts organizations to support local cultural arts initiatives. • Art in Public Places (AIPP): Commissioning and exhibiting public art throughout Austin. • Artist Development: HOT-funded programs like Thrive, Elevate, and Nexus to nurture and promote local artists. C I TY O F A U S T I N Cultural Arts Division: 2023 Grant Funding Elevate: Awarded over $6.2 million to 200 arts organizations and creative businesses to support diverse artistic content in Austin. • 35 grantees identify as Black/African American. • 17 grantees identify as female • 9 grantees identify as non-binary • 9 grantees identify as male Nexus: Awarded $255,000 to 51 creative businesses to support emerging voices and diverse public programming in Austin—targeting new applicants and creative entities that have been at risk of cultural erasure or institutional marginalization. • 9 creative businesses identify as Black/African American. C I TY O F A U S T I N Cultural Arts Division: 2023 Grant Funding (cont.) Arts Education Relief Grant: $475,000 was awarded to 19 nonprofits, made possible through the National Endowment for the Arts, designed to aid local arts education organizations in their recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. It prioritizes applicants who have faced immediate risk of cultural erasure or institutional marginalization within Austin. • 5 nonprofits identified as Black/African American • 88 people employed by the 5 grantee organizations who identify as Black/African American C I TY O F A U S T I N Music & Entertainment Music & Entertainment Division The Music & Entertainment Division is dedicated to innovating and growing the city’s vibrant music and entertainment industries, both commercial and nonprofit. This division provides crucial support through funding, artist development, strategic partnerships, and assistance with City regulations. • • Hold. Key Initiatives Include: Funding Programs: Live Music Fund, Creative Space Assistance Program. • Artist Development: Programs like Sound ON! and Music on • Partnerships: Collaborations with entities like the Austin- Toronto Music City Alliance. Services: Guidance on permits for music, film, and creative spaces. These efforts ensure that Austin remains a thriving hub for creativity and entertainment. C I TY O F A U S T I N Music & Entertainment Division: 2024 Grant Funding Austin Live Music Fund: Offers grants of $15,000 or $30,000 to professional musicians and independent promoters, and grants of $30,000 or $60,000 to live music venues. Preliminary data shows: • Over 1,000 applications • Anticipate awarding 120 local professional musicians, bands, and independent promoters, as well as 17 live music venues • 16 Total Black Awardees: • 3 promoters • 13 musicians • 13 awardees identify as male • 2 awardees identify as female • 1 awardee identifies at non-binary C I TY O F A U S T I N Redevelopment Redevelopment Division The Redevelopment Division focuses on transforming city-owned real estate and key districts to support social and economic growth. Key initiatives include: • District Redevelopment: Balancing public/private investments to enhance neighborhoods like 2nd Street, Colony Park, and Mueller. • Site Redevelopment: Collaborating on strategic use of city properties for community benefit. • Public Improvement Districts: Managing districts that fund enhanced public services and infrastructure. St. Johns and Colony Park Sustainable Community Redevelopment Project • Mixed-income housing • Publicly-accessible open spaces C I TY O F A U S T I N Redevelopment Division: Reorganization As part of a strategic reorganization in April 2024, this division was moved to the Financial Services Department (FSD). This transition was designed to: • Consolidate real estate functions • Streamline operations • Expedite redevelopment projects by leveraging the expertise within FSD. • The move aligns with the City’s broader goals of enhancing operational efficiency and fostering community benefits through redevelopment efforts. C I TY O F A U S T I N Global Business Expansion Global Business Expansion Division The Global Business Expansion Division drives local job growth and investment by: • Business Development: Attracting new businesses and supporting local expansion, including international ventures. • Place-Based Economic Development: Enhancing unique districts and neighborhoods. • Industry Sector Development: Identifying and fostering industries with growth potential and living wage jobs. • Workforce Development: Training the local workforce to meet industry needs. Key programs include: • Business Expansion Incentive Program • Souly Austin Program • Economic Resilience Lab • Six Square Contract C I TY O F A U S T I N African American Cultural Heritage District • Cultural and Historical Landmarks: Features historic churches, schools, public art, and institutions that preserve and celebrate African American heritage (e.g., AACHF), including jazz, blues, and gospel music. • Community Engagement: The district hosts educational programs, art exhibitions, music performances, and community festivals. • Ongoing Efforts: Active projects focus on cultural preservation, economic development, and community empowerment to maintain the district's relevance and vitality. • Strategic Planning: The City of Austin, in collaboration with community members and consultants, is initiating strategic planning efforts to guide future development and engagement, starting in Fall 2024. C I TY O F A U S T I N Small Business Small Business Division The Small Business Division is dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs, business owners, creatives, and non-profits. Key services include: • Classes and Coaching: Industry-expert-led business management classes and personalized, no-fee coaching to turn plans into action. • Research/Resources: Comprehensive resources including a small business directory, business intelligence databases, and public library access. • Networking and Events: Signature events like Small Business Fundamentals Week, Austin Small Business Week, and Exploring Entrepreneurship panels to support Austin’s start- up ecosystem. • Funding: Low-interest loan programs, such as the Family Business Loan Program, supporting business expansion and job creation. C I TY O F A U S T I N 2023 Small Business Support 2023 Artist Career Training Small Business Division • Over 6,057 hours of business development training • 224 small business classes impacting 1,446 small and coaching businesses 24 creative professionals trained to successfully manage a profitable business in the creative industries. • 432 Hours of Training Delivered • 71 Hours of 1-1 Business Coaching • 2 Black/African American Participants • Topics include: o Marketing, Social Media, Business Structure, Budgeting and Taxes, Funding, Proposal Pitch Night • Range of Creative Disciplines including: o Murals, Crafts, Music, Visual Arts, Design Arts, Arts Education, Multidisciplinary Mediums, Media Arts, Literature & Humanities C I TY O F A U S T I N Workforce Development & Childcare Workforce Development & Childcare Our transformation stems from directives from City leadership, prioritizing workforce development and childcare, and comprehensive needs assessments. By consolidating workforce development and childcare programs/contracts from other departments, we aim to increase capacity and better support our transformative vision. As part of a strategic reorganization in April 2024, the following workgroups joined EDD: • Austin Civilian Conservation Corp from Parks and Recreation Department • Youth Programs from Austin Public Health • Day Labor from Austin Public Health • Workforce and Childcare Contracts from Austin Public Health • Digital Literacy from Community Technology in Financial Services. C I TY O F A U S T I N Workforce & Childcare Projects Overview ✓ Project 1: Streamlining Contracts Centralize workforce contracts, supporting budgets and staff with $5.0M and 16.0 FTEs Ensure a seamless workforce continuum with clear key performance indicators. Collaborate with local workforce development organizations. ✓ Project 2: Integrated Childcare Transfer Childcare Services to Economic Development. $1.4M in Social Services contracts – childcare wrap-around services for a skilled workforce. Develop a comprehensive childcare continuum. ✓ Project 3: Workforce Readiness Boost $5.0M Launch Infrastructure Academy. Support accessing City of Austin programs. $3.2M in Social Services Contracts – enhance workforce readiness through targeted initiatives. C I TY O F A U S T I N 23 Workforce Development Creating and Retaining Jobs Upskilling Austinites NXP Partnership ✓ 53 new manufacturing jobs created ✓ $291 million invested in facility upgrades Workforce Development Initiatives ✓ $1 million allocated for early childcare educators ✓ Over $350,000 allocated for leadership training ✓ $500,000 allocated to healthcare programs C I TY O F A U S T I N Workforce Development Creating and Retaining Jobs Upskilling Austinites Grant for Technology Opportunities Program (GTOPS) ✓ GTOPs Mini Grant awarded 21 grants to 11 unique organizations, totaling $210,000 between 2021-2024. ✓ GTOPs Capacity Grant provided 77 grants to 38 unique organizations, with total funding of $185,106, between 2020-2024. ✓ This year alone, we’ve increased our support with 6 Mini grant recipients and 10 Capacity grant recipients, thanks to additional funding. C I TY O F A U S T I N Childcare Contracts General Fund: $1.7M ARPA: $1.9M 3 Childcare Contracts • Direct Childcare Seats • Drop-in Childcare • • Childcare Premium Pay Stipends Childcare Workforce Development 1 Child Care Workforce Development Leadership Academy C I TY O F A U S T I N • • • • • 4 Childcare Contracts Continuing in FY25-FY26 Childcare Staff Premium Pay Stipends • Direct Childcare College Tuition support to recruit/retain early childhood educators Pre-K-3 for Austin ISD Shared Services Alliance PreK Partnerships • Home-based Childcare Support City-Sponsored Childcare City of Austin Initiatives • KinderCare at Bergstrom Tech: Opened in Nov 2021, Nationally Accredited, Texas Rising Star 4 • Dove Springs Public Health Facility: Expected to open Jan 2025 • Mariposa Family Learning Center: Undergoing a Chapter 26 process to convert parkland for childcare use The City of Austin is expanding high-quality, affordable childcare, particularly in childcare deserts. C I TY O F A U S T I N Childcare Fee Waiver Program Purpose: Support existing childcare facilities and drive new development through financial assistance for regulatory and permitting costs (e.g., annual inspection and targeted development fees). Program Priorities: • Childcare facilities meeting TRS scoring • Facilities in childcare deserts (using the Children at Risk Childcare Desert Map) • Programs paying employees the higher of either a living wage (per U.S. Dept. of Labor) or Austin’s Minimum Wage • Programs supporting public safety professionals (police, fire, EMS, 9-1-1, 3-1-1 call takers) Projected Launch: April 2025 C I TY O F A U S T I N Childcare Assistance Initiatives • Property Tax Exemption: 100% exemption for qualifying childcare facilities, benefiting around 20 providers, with an average of $8,700 saved in 2024. • Home Grown Grant: FY25 budget includes matching funds to provide $2,500 to eligible home-based childcare providers (if awarded). • Place-Based Program: Staff recommends supporting childcare facilities with rent reductions (50%) or development support through categories I, II, and IV of the proposed program. • Business Expansion Program: Staff proposes that 10% of future property taxes from Business Expansion Awards be dedicated to a Childcare Reserve to support eligible home- based childcare providers. C I TY O F A U S T I N C I TY O F A U S T I N Questions? WWW.AUSTINTEXAS.GOV/EDD