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Live Oak EDC presents 2024 year-end report, highlights 25 new businesses and major projects
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Summary
EDC staff presented the 2024 year-end economic development report, citing 25 new businesses, major tenant activity at Alterman and RBFCU developments, sponsorship investments and limited VIP activity; board discussed marketing and distribution of the report.
The Live Oak Economic Development Corporation received its 2024 year-end report at the Jan. 28 meeting and discussed how to publicize the results, which staff said included 25 new businesses, major commercial expansions and a series of sponsorships and events.
The report summarizes business growth, developments under construction, and EDC-sponsored marketing efforts that staff said helped attract tenants. Donna Louder, Economic Development staff, told the board that notable projects included the new Dick’s House of Sport, ongoing expansion at the local hospital medical plaza (Methodist), and tenant activity at the Alterman campus. Louder said 25 businesses opened in 2024 and that the EDC continues to work on visual-improvement and dumpster-compliance programs.
Louder told the board the EDC supported several sponsorships and marketing events in 2024, including local tournaments and nonprofit events. She listed partnerships with Tri-County groups, Rotary, the Live Oak Summer Open Disc Golf Tournament, the Judson Education Foundation, Kiwanis Club pancake breakfast, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Western Heritage Weekend, and local magazine features. The report also recognized 62 businesses for sponsorships and 28 businesses for anniversaries, and noted one 50-year business was honored.
Board members praised the report and discussed distribution. Director Tolgren and others urged staff to publish the report on the EDC website, use it at conferences such as TEDC, and provide printed copies for local distribution and to share with partner organizations. Vice President Adela asked about using the report to “tell the story” and recommended wider distribution; staff said they already submit materials to trade magazines and post to the website.
Board members asked how sponsorship decisions are made; Louder said most small sponsorships are staff-approved after solicitation, while larger sponsorships are brought to the council for approval. Directors also praised staff outreach and suggested including the report in the city’s promotional materials for businesses considering relocation or expansion.
The board did not take formal action on the report. Staff noted that detailed financial tables and project lists were included in the packet and that some figures lag one year because of audit timing.
