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Kendall County EDC and Das Greenhouse highlight workforce, internships and early‑stage business support
Summary
BOERNE — The county's economic development partners told commissioners they are focusing on workforce development, retention and entrepreneur support. Das Greenhouse, a local incubator, described student internships, a 'Straight to the Trades' program, investor pitch nights and plans for expanded seed funding in 2026.
BOERNE — The Kendall County Economic Development Corporation and the Das Greenhouse business incubator presented program updates to the county commissioners on Wednesday, detailing targets for workforce development, small‑business support and student internships.
EDC chair Dakota Durden described the EDC’s mission to support both large and small projects, noting the organization operates with a relatively small budget (county contribution around $60,000) and without sales‑tax funding. "One of the major initiatives we work on is workforce development," Durden said, adding that the EDC helps small, locally owned businesses as well as efforts to attract new employers in targeted industries such as biosciences, advanced manufacturing, agritech, and breweries.
Das Greenhouse executive director Samantha Morganroth and board chair Kathy Estes reviewed incubator programs: mentor matchups, investor pitch nights for accredited investors, a community‑open pitch night planned for March 2026 that will provide seed money (not equity) for early‑stage firms, and a new "Straight to the Trades" partnership with Boerne ISD to provide entrepreneurial training to students and a February 2026 pitch competition. The incubator also reported growth in resident and virtual memberships and multiple success stories of students launching businesses after participation.
Commissioners asked about membership and conflict‑of‑interest questions raised earlier in the meeting; the EDC explained board memberships are voted and that membership tiers fund the nonprofit’s work. Commissioners expressed support for the incubator's investor and mentorship models.
What’s next: Das Greenhouse will hold its first public pitch night in March 2026 and continue internship and Straight to the Trades activities; the EDC will continue to provide market and project data for prospective businesses.
