EDC hears update on deep-water marina; city council to consider letter to county judge

EDC staff provided an update on the status of a proposed deep-water marina and said a letter from the mayor to the county judge seeking continued county involvement or private-sector leasing options will be before the city council for approval.

Gail Hood told board members the draft letter has been revised and will be on the city council agenda that night for approval to send to the county. The letter, she said, outlines options including leasing land from private owners and specifies paperwork needed to continue work on a grant for the marina and advance permitting steps.

Hood said the EDC previously secured a grant and that continuation of work requires filing additional paperwork or going forward to the permitting stage. The EDC will distribute the letter to board members after the council meeting, Hood said. When asked where funds previously pledged by the city and other partners would be applied, Hood said the $1 million local match will be used to update schematic work and traffic analysis to align with TxDOT's updated studies (discussed later in the meeting).

EDC executive director Darla said staff is collecting economic-impact data tied to fishing tournaments and marina use and is coordinating with the Chamber and CVB to provide figures for state-level advocacy. The board discussed using that data to support changes in rules governing venue or sales-tax usage and to bolster requests to legislators and lobbyists.