Economic Growth and Redevelopment Services Office

As a vital component of the city's economic development program, the Economic Growth and Redevelopment Services Office was created to manage the city's economic development policies and to promote and facilitate sustainable growth in the Desired Development Zone, in partnership with the community, project developers and the City of Austin organization. The goal is to enhance livability and economic viability in a manner that preserves the character of Austin and its environment.

• Economic Development Agreement Information
• Desired Development Zone Map (1.2MB PDF).

NEWS

July 23, 2010
Austin is top U.S. creative center
Entrepreneur.com praises our creativity, commerce and emerging tech culture.
June 30, 2010
Austin Public Art nationally recognized
Americans for the Arts selected two Austin Art in Public Places projects for its 2010 Public Art in Review.
May 26, 2010
Kiplinger’s names Austin ‘Best City for the Next Decade’
Kiplinger reports "Austin has spawned many companies with unique twists that have gone nationwide. The city’s 200 live music venues, lakes, parks, and funky businesses all contribute to its eclectic vibe."
February 25, 2010
Facebook - Fourth high profile company to target Austin
The social networking service, Facebook, to establish a 200-person Austin-based sales and operations facility.
January 29, 2010
LegalZoom Economic Development Agreement
The relocation has the potential of creating up to 600 jobs in Austin.
January 25, 2010
Austin is Tops for Small Business
The City of Austin has been ranked as the #1 place in the U.S. to open a small business by Portfolio.com
January 12, 2010
Hangar Orthopedic Group Economic Development Agreement
The relocation has the potential of creating up to 250 jobs in Austin.

Key Services

• Provide assistance to the City Manager and City Council to development and implement the City's economic development policies and programs, including the Emerging Technology Program and Small Business Development Program.
  
• Provide project management and implementation services to project owners and stakeholders in order to successfully complete projects on time.
• Engage with primary employers and key project developers in order to encourage location and/or expansion in the Desired Development Zone.
• Provide information to and coordinate projects and studies for the community that encourages a mixed-use downtown:
  • Provide up-to-date information about development in the downtown area (see Downtown Redevelopment, particularly Downtown Report)
  • Serve as liaison to Downtown Austin Alliance
  • Serve as staff liaison to Downtown Commission
  • Produce and distribute Downtown Emerging Projects Map and Database
  • Manage the Business Retention and Enhancement (BRE) Loan Program
• Nurture, preserve and promote Austin's arts and creative industries in order to strengthen and sustain Austin's dynamic cultural vitality:
  • Cultural Arts Division
  • Cultural Funding Programs
  • Art in Public Places
  • Emerging Technology Program
  • Austin Community Cultural Plan
• Provide development opportunities and resources to small businesses so that they may become self-sustaining in a competitive business environment.
• Small Business Development Program

Projects

City Projects

• New City Hall and Public Plaza

Joint Public/Private Projects

• Seaholm District: Seaholm Power Plant and Green Water Treatment Plant
• Robert Mueller Municipal Airport Redevelopment
Second Street Retail Development
• AMLI Residential Development

Private Developments

• The Domain

Special Reports

• Presentation to the Austin City Council: The Domain Performance-Based Incentive Agreement Compliance Review and Status, Oct. 2008 (PDF)
• Presentation to the Audit and Finance Committee, Aug. 2007: Review of Active Performance-Based Chapter 380 Economic Development Grants (PDF)
• Arts & Economic Prosperity III: Austin, Texas (1.4MB PDF)
• Downtown Austin: Recommendations to Improve City Services to Downtown Austin 2007
  (4MB PDF). Presentation to Council (109KB PDF)
• Digital Media Study 2006 (476KB PDF)
• Cultural Sector Economic Impact Study 2006 (203KB PDF)
• Big Box Retail and Austin 2004 (1.3MB PDF)
• Austin's Economic Future: The Mayor's Task Force on the Economy 2003 (PDF)

Contact Information