BCDC adopts $20,000 small-business retention program allowing reimbursements up to $5,000

A staff presenter (identified in the meeting as the director) outlined a reimbursement‑based Small Business Retention Program with a total budget of $20,000. Eligible projects were described in three categories: workforce and training, equipment and software, and advertising campaigns. The presenter said eligible businesses may apply for up to $5,000 for projects generally and up to $3,000 specifically for advertising campaigns, and that advertising applicants would be required to include a Bee Cave tagline and submit a mock‑up of the campaign.

The presenter said applicants must be located and operating in the city of Bee Cave for at least one year, must be commercial property owners or commercial tenants, and must demonstrate positive economic impact as part of the application. Applications will be reviewed by staff, presented to the BCDC board for funding decisions (the board may fully fund, partially fund or decline requests), and successful applicants will sign a performance agreement and have up to six months to complete the project and submit receipts for reimbursement.

Board members discussed whether the program should require proof that the economic impact is "positive" (one board member recommended adding the adjective "positive" to the economic‑impact criteria), whether shared coworking spaces such as Fuse would qualify and whether the advertising cap should be raised. The director said the policy could be revised if the board wants to change dollar limits or eligibility criteria. After discussion, a motion to approve Resolution 2026‑03 was made and seconded; the chair called for the vote and the motion passed unanimously.