CAPCOG » Community & Economic Development

Divisions

Community & Economic Development

Economic Development

Economic development means different things to different people. It’s about creating jobs. It’s about creating an environment that supports entrepreneurship. It’s about increasing the standard of living for your community. And it’s about aligning economic priorities with other community priorities, such as education, land use, workforce development, and more.

At CAPCOG, we strive to help communities and organizations with all aspects of economic development, regardless of how you define it. We provide data and analysis of local and regional trends. We help communities market their economic and workforce assets. And we coordinate activities that, collectively, enhance local and regional competitiveness.

EDA - Economic Development Administration

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) was established under the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. § 3121), as amended, to generate jobs, help retain existing jobs, and stimulate industrial and commercial growth in economically distressed areas of the United States. EDA assistance is available to rural and urban areas of the Nation experiencing high unemployment, low income, or other severe economic distress.

To view current information on EDA’s Programs, Investment Policies and Funding Opportunities, click here.

Capital Area Economic Development District, Inc. (CAEDD)

The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) provide funding for CAPCOG to staff the Capital Area Economic Development District (CAEDD). The CAEDD is a non-profit corporation funded that establishes regional economic development priorities in the Capital Area. Its members are drawn from local governments, economic and workforce development organizations, educational institutions, labor interests, and the private sector.

ORCA - The Texas Community Development Block Grant Program (Tx CDBG)

The Texas Community Development Block Grant Program (Tx CDBG) plays a critical role in helping smaller communities in our region meet infrastructure needs in low to moderate income areas. Administered state-wide by the Office of Rural Community Affairs (ORCA), Tx CDBG is the Community Development Block Grant Program for small communities.

CAPCOG assists ORCA in the administration of the Tx CDBG Community Development Fund (CDF). The CDF provides grant funding to cities and counties for water, sewer, housing, and other improvements. Most incorporated cities with populations under 50,000 and counties with populations under 200,000 are eligible to apply.

2009/2010 ORCA Application Guide
CAPCOG RRC GuideBook
Overview And General Information About The Texas Community Development Block Grant Program

Capital Area Regional Review Committee

The Governor’s Capital Area Regional Review Committee was created as a voluntary, unincorporated association by the Governor of Texas. The committee’s primary purpose is to assist the Governor, in conjunction with the Office of Rural Community Affairs, in reviewing funding applications submitted in State Planning Region 12 under the Texas Community Development Program.

Office of Rural Community Affairs
Texas Community Development Block Grant Program
Post Office Box 12877, Capitol Station
Austin, Texas 78711
1700 N. Congress Avenue, Suite 220, Austin, Texas 78701
Phone: 512-936-6701

TDA - Texas Department Of Agriculture

The Rural Economic Development Division has several programs to assist rural communities and businesses to create and retain jobs through business development and community assistance. Through the GO TEXAN Rural Community Program, the division promotes agricultural diversification, small town revitalization and rural tourism.

TDA employs Rural Economic Development Field Staff across the state to provide localized assistance, and work closely with other agencies and organizations. To contact the field person in your region, or for more information about rural economic development, call our Rural Assistance line at (877) 428-7848 or e-mail finance@TexasAgriculture.gov.

Programs:
Biofuel Incentive Program
Texas Capital Fund
Other Programs

Contacts

Office of the Governor Economic Development & Tourism

The Economic Development and Tourism division of the Governor’s Office markets Texas globally as the premier business location and travel destination. It develops strategies to generate leads and inquiries which over time can be developed into business recruitment prospects, export opportunities and tourism - thereby creating jobs and wealth for Texans. This division is comprised of the following specific focus areas that work together to strengthen the Texas economy.

TEXAS BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT is charged with domestic and international business recruitment and corporate expansion efforts for the state by marketing Texas as a premier business location. The Texas Business Development team is comprised of the following three areas:

Domestic Expansion and Recruitment serves as the primary point of contact for companies looking to expand existing operations in Texas or relocate a business from out of state.
International Business and Recruitment continues to assist Texas companies seeking to expand into foreign markets and encourage foreign investment in Texas.
Business Research provides support with economic and demographic data, analyses and information on industries and communities. The extensive databases and research tools provide accurate and timely information on doing business in Texas – strengthening the state’s ability to recruit and attract business.

THE OFFICE OF AEROSPACE AND AVIATION focuses on maintaining Texas’ leadership position by developing business strategies to promote the retention, development and expansion of the aerospace and aviation facilities in Texas. In addition, the program also provides technical support and expertise to state and local spaceport authorities and promotes the development of spaceports in Texas.

THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BANK provides flexible funding and oversight of several finance and tax incentive programs. The incentive programs target three key audiences which include Texas businesses, Texas communities and Texas lending institutions. The Economic Development Bank programs include finance programs, Enterprise programs and Small Business Assistance.

SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE (SBA) works to establish the State of Texas as the place to start and grow small businesses, by identifying and isolating legal and financial barriers for small, medium, and historically underutilized businesses (HUB’s), assisting small and medium enterprises with expansion programs, policies and directives, and developing strategies and outlooks for small business development throughout the state.

TEXAS TOURISM promotes Texas domestically and internationally as a premier tourist destination to generate tourism revenues and jobs for Texas communities. Texas Tourism consists of Advertising, Public Relations and Travel Research divisions.

Advertising oversees the award winning ad campaigns promoting Texas as the premier travel destination through national and international advertising. This includes consumer and trade publications, national cable television, radio, newspaper, the Internet and the TravelTex.com web site.

Public Relations works with the travel trade industry and media throughout the United States and top international markets including Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Asia, Latin America and France.

Travel Research provides and analyzes information about domestic and international travel trends. Travel research also provides tourism outreach services to assist Texas communities with their economic development tourism.