Regular Called Meeting of the Economic Prosperity Commission Wednesday, August 21, 2024, 6:30pm City Hall, Boards & Commissions Room 1101 301 W. 2nd Street Austin, Texas Some members of the Economic Prosperity Commission may be participating by videoconference. Audio is recorded. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, call or email Cesar Garza and Stephanie Calderon at the Economic Development Department: cesar.garza@austintexas.gov and stephanie.calderon@austintexas.gov or 512-974-8055 (Cesar Garza). CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: • Laura Dixon, Mayor (Watson) • Christiana Ponder, District 1 (Harper- • Vacant, District 2 (Fuentes) • Raquel Valdez Sanchez, District 3 • Michael Nahas, Chair, District 4 Madison) (Velasquez) (Vela) • Rodrigo Cantu, District 5 (R. Alter) AGENDA • Amy Rister, District 6 (Kelly) • Amy Noel, District 7 (Pool) • Luis Osta Lugo, Vice Chair, District 8 • Aaron Gonzales, District 9 (Qadri) • Kelsey Hitchingham, District 10 (A. (Ellis) Alter) CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Economic Prosperity Commission Regular Called Meeting on July 17, 2024. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Presentation by Sylnovia Holt-Rabb, Director of the City of Austin Economic Development Department, on the City’s August budget process and on the department’s Global Business Expansion, Small Business, Cultural Arts, Music and Entertainment, Workforce and Childcare, and Support Service divisions. Discuss whom commissioners could invite to present on topics related to commission business or working groups at the September 18, 2024 meeting. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 4. Update from the Global Business Expansion working group regarding the group’s next meeting date, expectations for the group’s September 2024 report, and relevant matters. Update from the Redevelopment working group regarding the group’s next meeting date, expectations for the group’s September 2024 report, and relevant matters. Update from the Small Business working group regarding the group’s next meeting date, expectations for the group’s September 2024 report, and relevant matters. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed …
1. ECONOMIC PROSPERITY COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, July 17, 2024 The Economic Prosperity Commission convened in a REGULAR CALLED meeting on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at 301 W. 2nd Street, Room 1101, Austin, Texas. Chair Michael Nahas called the Economic Prosperity Commission Meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. • Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance in Person: Aaron Gonzales (9), Michael Nahas (4), Raquel Valdez Sanchez (3), Rodrigo Cantu (5), Amy Rister (6) • Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Luis Osta Lugo (8), Kelsey Hitchingham (10) • Absent: Amy Noel (7), Laura Dixon (Mayor), Christiana Ponder (1) • Vacancy: District 2 PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the Economic Prosperity Commission Special Called Meeting on June 24, 2024. The minutes from the meeting of June 24, 2024, were approved on Commissioner Hitchingham’s motion, Vice Chair Osta Lugo’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Noel, Dixon, and Ponder were absent. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Discuss and approve the creation, membership, and timeline of the Global Business Expansion working group. The motion to approve the creation of the Global Business Expansion working group with Commissioners Rister (group chair), Nahas, and Hitchingham, as well as with a deadline of September 2024 for an initial report, was approved on Chair Nahas’ motion, Commissioner Rister’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Noel, Dixon, and Ponder were absent. 1 3. 4. 5. Discuss and approve the creation, membership, and timeline of the Redevelopment working group. The motion to approve the Redevelopment working group with Commissioners Osta Lugo (group chair) and Cantu, as well as with a deadline of September 2024 for an initial report, was approved on Chair Nahas’ motion, Commissioner Valdez Sanchez’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Noel, Dixon, and Ponder were absent. Discuss and approve the creation, membership, and timeline of the Small Business working group. The motion to approve the Small Business working group with Commissioners Valdez Sanchez (group chair) and Gonzales, as well as with a deadline of September 2024 for an initial report, was approved on Chair Nahas’ motion, Commissioner Gonzales’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Noel, Dixon, and Ponder were absent. Discuss and approve a recommendation to Austin City Council to provide the EPC and other Boards and Commissions a message board, similar to the City Council Message Board, as allowed by Section 551.006 of the Texas Open Meetings Act. The …
Economic Development Department Sylnovia Holt-Rabb, Director August 21, 2024 Austin, TX Economic Development Our History Austin Economic Development Over Time "Austin Area Economic Development Foundation" is created ATX is chosen as the site of the "Microelectronics Computer Corp." Economic Development Department is established with the City of Austin Opportunity Austin 4.0 + 1948 1956 1983 1988 2000 2004 2023 Vic Mathias becomes President of the Austin Chamber of Commerce "Advantage Austin" Opportunity Austin C I T Y O F A U S T I N The Ripple Effects From Our Past The 1928 Master Plan Austin is the most economically segregated Metro Area Economic Development Department: Leading with Equity in our work Austin, TX Economic Development Where We Are Today Economic Development Department Leadership Team Sylnovia Holt-Rabb Director Economic Development Department Anthony Segura Deputy Director Economic Development Department Morgan Messick Acting Assistant Director Economic Development Department C I T Y 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 T Y O F A U S T I N 7 Economic Development Department Overview Arts Business Music C I T Y 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. • 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. • Research/Resources: Comprehensive resources including a small business directory, business intelligence databases, and public library access. • Funding: Low-interest loan programs, such as the Family Business Loan Program, supporting business expansion and job creation. C I T Y 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 …
ECONOMIC PROSPERITY COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, August 21, 2024 The Economic Prosperity Commission convened in a REGULAR CALLED meeting on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at 301 W. 2nd Street, Room 1101, Austin, Texas. Chair Michael Nahas called the Economic Prosperity Commission Meeting to order at 6:34 p.m. • Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance in Person: Amy Rister (6), Raquel Valdez Sanchez (3), Michael Nahas (4), Rodrigo Cantu (5) • Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Christiana Ponder (1), Kelsey Hitchingham (10), Luis Osta Lugo (8), Amy Noel (7) • Absent: Laura Dixon (Mayor), Aaron Gonzales (9) • Vacancy: District 2 PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the Economic Prosperity Commission Regular Called Meeting on July 17, 2024. The minutes from the meeting of July 17, 2024, were approved on Commissioner Hitchingham’s motion, Vice Chair Osta Lugo’s second on an 8-0 vote. Commissioners Laura Dixon (Mayor) and Aaron Gonzales (9) were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Presentation by Sylnovia Holt-Rabb, Director of the City of Austin Economic Development Department, on the City’s August budget process and on the department’s Global Business Expansion, Small Business, Cultural Arts, Music and Entertainment, Workforce and Childcare, and Support Service divisions. Sylnovia Holt-Rabb, Director of the Economic Development Department, and Anthony Segura, Deputy Director, provided a multifaceted overview of the department and how it leads with equity in its work today. 1. 1 3. Discuss whom commissioners could invite to present on topics related to commission business or working groups at the September 18, 2024 meeting. Discussion was held. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 4. Update from the Global Business Expansion working group regarding the group’s next meeting date, expectations for the group’s September 2024 report, and relevant matters. Update given by Commissioner Rister. Update from the Redevelopment working group regarding the group’s next meeting date, expectations for the group’s September 2024 report, and relevant matters. Update given by Commissioner Osta Lugo. Update from the Small Business working group regarding the group’s next meeting date, expectations for the group’s September 2024 report, and relevant matters. Update given by Commissioner Valdez Sanchez. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS • Joint Sustainability Committee update from Commissioner Amy Noel, Economic Prosperity Commission representative on the City of Austin Joint Sustainability Committee. Chair Nahas adjourned the meeting at 7:57 p.m. without objection. ********** These minutes were approved at the September 18, 2024 meeting on Chair Nahas’ motion, Commissioner Rister’s second …
