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Growing Victoria report: new businesses and workforce training, but housing and population gaps limit retail growth
Summary
Economic development staff recapped retail recruits, workforce training wins and downtown reinvestment while emphasizing a shortfall in housing and population growth that limits retail expansion; staff proposed more resources for business retention and mixed‑income housing initiatives.
Danielle, economic development staff, and Kate, downtown/Main Street coordinator, presented the Growing Victoria FY2024 annual report to the council on Tuesday, listing recent business openings, workforce‑training outcomes, downtown reinvestment and persistent housing shortfalls.
Danielle described Growing Victoria’s five focus areas — retail recruitment, small-business development, quality of life, workforce development and housing — and listed primary retail openings during the year, including Longhorn Steakhouse, Crumble Cookie, Stir Soda (an expansion from downtown), Franklin’s Backyard Bayou, Speedy Stop Liquors and several convenience-store entries. She credited local incentive coordination with the Victoria Sales Tax Development Corporation for some placements.
On workforce development, Danielle said the city supported a high‑demand job training grant through…
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