[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6642819,"mediaKeyId","2537166-3f0cb17591baeafdf361c14da41c6e55","parentId",2537166,"title","Hutto EDC restricts executive-session attendance and tables agenda-label change; several administrative votes approved","audioSeconds",1373,"startMs",6739000,"endMs",8112000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2537166-3f0cb17591baeafdf361c14da41c6e55&start=6739&end=8112","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2537166-3f0cb17591baeafdf361c14da41c6e55/thumbnail_6739000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6642819/Hutto/Williamson-County/Texas/Hutto-EDC-restricts-executive-session-attendance-and-tables-agenda-label-change-several-administrative-votes-approved","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6642819-3ed1baf78159ad98f41fbca1f261fd0d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182649&Signature=VRj-chmu0W-syBeWUvxH~Z9tVDlybscsYGFCTDrklJA2zbdR~K8~xXdFJQY4wJ5e1-JxBEfF2JOjw~mHfVO3lLQ13LBm-cvpadMSzmvQrMS9mPGcSpcsN26OHDO77qQ3HLGCEULPKnt2~RoUv-JI0NdXbcfdacFTPrBzhczAqFLZcTQ484EhCK~G3q70PcUC69bZKkpJWON7BaHVT5FYgFFPDurSnMT0k0py0gAsCWAvCfmKofvGlm3awmJM3vD~JCcFHqOpaXCdYjhHDBMjguNrkT25pANn2dtWPcj1N~2TmF~QBJ4drnCY6JpXyHQ6cNFBnETr7aJ7uReo9Xh2yw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hutto","date","2025-03-10T00:00:00Z","article","The Hutto Economic Development Corporation voted to temporarily limit who may attend EDC executive sessions and tabled a separate proposal to change agenda language clarifying project names.

Board action on executive-session attendance: Board member Kelly McLaughlin moved and Vice Chair Matt Minton seconded a motion to \"temporarily and immediately prohibit anyone other than the board members, the executive director and the corporation's general counsel from attending EDC executive session meetings unless expressly authorized by the board in open session\" until bylaws can be amended. The motion includes a process for any otherwise-eligible but uninvited person to request access in writing at least one business day before the meeting; the board would decide in open session whether to permit attendance and require any permitted non-board attendee to sign a confidentiality agreement approved by general counsel. Legal counsel advised the board on the authority and limits of such restrictions. The motion passed 5–1.

Agenda-language proposal tabled: Earlier on the agenda the chair moved to include current (consumer-facing) project names in parentheses on EDC agendas so the public would more easily identify items (for example noting a commercial center or tenant by name alongside internal project codes). That motion was seconded by the treasurer but members sought additional legal and process review; a motion to table the item until the next meeting passed 6–0.

Other administrative votes: The board approved routine administrative and governance items during the meeting, including:
- Approval of the corporation's monthly financial report for January 2025. Staff noted a historically high sales-tax collection month; the EDC share reported was $408,895 and February's collections were 28% higher than the same month last year.
- Approval of minutes from recent meetings (quarterly joint session with council 12/09/2024; regular meeting 01/09/2025; special joint meeting 02/03/2025).
- Authorization for two board members and the economic development director to attend the ICSC trade show May 18–20, 2025, with staff to finalize registrations and cover increased registration costs from budgeted amounts.
- Approval for board members to participate in a Texas Municipal League parliamentary-procedure webinar; the board authorized payment for available members to take the course.

Why this matters: the executive-session restriction is unusual for local advisory bodies and was framed by its sponsor as a temporary step to protect attorney-client privileged conversations and the EDC's fiduciary responsibilities. The agenda-language discussion reflects competing priorities between public transparency and the confidentiality expectations common in economic development negotiations.

What to watch for: staff and counsel said bylaws will be revised and brought back to the board and to city council (as required by the current bylaws) for final approval. The board asked counsel to prepare suggested bylaw language and a confidentiality form for any visitor to executive session; staff said that work will be completed before the next meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hutto - (EDC) Board Meeting/(CDC) Board Meeting - Mar 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Hutto Economic Development Corporation voted to temporarily limit who may attend EDC executive sessions and tabled a separate proposal to change agenda language clarifying project names.","taxTitle","Hutto, Williamson County, Texas","taxId",69634,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6642824,"EDC flags Highway 79/CR 132 intersection as key to retail interest; Spine Road funding and next council steps clarified",1233,3747000,4980000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2537166-3f0cb17591baeafdf361c14da41c6e55&start=3747&end=4980","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2537166-3f0cb17591baeafdf361c14da41c6e55/thumbnail_3747000.jpg","/articles/6642824/Hutto/Williamson-County/Texas/EDC-flags-Highway-79CR-132-intersection-as-key-to-retail-interest-Spine-Road-funding-and-next-council-steps-clarified","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6642824-04b33e612927230fe2ff3a420da0621a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182649&Signature=oaLbD69-pFn5WOpSfpy1rRQ5Ff5mbBCu8Lq4768knn6~B0rYw0ZVfLf3nN5nAO2UuhxY-ohaB67qyUVr9SslVOh4d-5vSvwy9wKT~cdLc6BHYJ5weJIi4NNdpKObIJQvCY8RzHXVlU2Kc7OWJJLcXrz1G2JA2NAJT3n9KwLE-6ifw~OCbhPwtEthfa1InNIKEbBZSv35BUyhuwkP9oh98Pnz4SQYQWXgp8wrebHsbWBvxMFlO0OCt5JOe~QbQVIS7~7dMziEgIY9uJGflViRp7raw5bl4Ze47vZ6iXo4TFH8eEP3nGAQNl6U-ig6gYlHPWR3vqavNxg-eSV5Y~fxuw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Economic development staff told the Hutto Economic Development Corporation that the planned Highway 79/County Road 132 intersection is a gating issue for retail commitments at a major planned development and asked the board to help seek clear direction from city council.

Staff said the retail partner working with the Midway developer has asked for a clear, phased plan for the intersection because retailers will not finalize lease discussions until they understand access and timing. Staff described the intersection as \"mission critical,\" and told the board the March 27 city council meeting is a target date for a council-level item to clarify the project's intent and phasing.

Funding and prior action: staff read the publicly available summary of the Spine Road funding agreement and other incentive agreements into the meeting record. Those remarks stated the current funding agreement between the EDC and the city totals $18,000,000, comprised of $12,000,000 in city bonds and $6,000,000 from city utility funds to support water, wastewater and drainage for the Spine Road project. Staff noted a joint action on June 20, 2024, changed the EDC's reimbursement obligation so the corporation was not required to repay the city under the prior structure; staff said that change was approved at the June joint meeting by city council (vote recorded as 7–0) and by HEDC (4–0).

Related projects and incentives: staff also reviewed active incentive agreements on the record. For Town Quest Commons Phase 2 (listed in staff remarks as Project NQ2), city council previously approved the performance-based incentive by resolution R-2023-041 (03/23/2023) and the corporation approved a corresponding HEDC resolution R-2023-13 (03/30/2023). Staff summarized the Town Quest Commons Phase 2 incentive as a maximum $4,000,000 grant over 12 years and a separate sales-tax reimbursement schedule up to $5,000,000 over 12 years, tied to certificate-of-occupancy milestones and a tapering reimbursement percentage over the term.

How this affects the EDC: staff told the board that retailers and developers need clarity on whether the intersection will provide at-grade access and how the city intends to phase any construction. Staff said additional technical review and bids for the intersection design will be returned to the city and the EDC and that coordination with TxDOT and Union Pacific Railroad remain ongoing items.

Board action and next steps: board members discussed whether to ask staff to present a formal letter or request for council. Staff said legal and city staff will be consulted on the best mechanism to request council clarity. The EDC plans to follow up with engineering teams and the retail partner and to bring recommended language to the next council agenda for clear direction on intersection design and phasing.","Economic development staff told the board that the design and timing for the Highway 79/County Road 132 intersection are critical to retail prospects at a major development, and summarized the Spine Road funding agreement and related documents.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6642828,"Hutto staff reports 52 business visits and a new \"Biz Thrive\" retention program",2323,1594000,3917000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2537166-3f0cb17591baeafdf361c14da41c6e55&start=1594&end=3917","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2537166-3f0cb17591baeafdf361c14da41c6e55/thumbnail_1594000.jpg","/articles/6642828/Hutto/Williamson-County/Texas/Hutto-staff-reports-52-business-visits-and-a-new-Biz-Thrive-retention-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6642828-e79aaa112e54037eb3c23c0d3f31187d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182649&Signature=mVZk92c9~BHvJQ5kzwrKVedmhq2gmUvIOdW4hCICER6wjjLghZ3rWlDPEiUBaz2imQzzOSA6t9cJJ1zKkodYLGcZlas~Xdrzb9ZCsIjLElNrqrnkkRxkLhtnzGy2Hef6fREbPXbZtVaJcbBcGQlu~a4hF0lqX3z9meR~APKREtCbxnWpHxCDk5KcMsai5YdkGM~-wGs3qWxbriLct-Hk37rlWm8RoIJQ85QoBYdvZLeFzeODtgUbDAlmgFD66nP-wCXTcYKl6gCQnAbk-AIHPDdh-2XTXBhnPq9mpXkFNkljtdLteW~hJJposrO6nJgeBtQ-cgyXZ0n1Y8F719jPAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented the Hutto Economic Development Corporation with the new Business Retention and Expansion program called \"Biz Thrive,\" which aims to support local businesses through quarterly educational sessions, one-on-one visits and a directory tied to a customer-relationship-management system.

Emily Beatros, identified in the meeting as the business-resource specialist with the City of Hutto, told the board she has completed 52 one-on-one visits since starting in mid-October and has been populating a BlueDot CRM and public business directory that currently lists 431 businesses. Beatros said the EDC-funded quarterly events are intended to connect business owners to financing, workforce and regulatory resources and that the program's first event drew 14 attendees amid challenging weather.

Beatros outlined additional outreach programs: a partnership with a digital gift-card provider called Yifty that had 19 participating businesses after a recruitment push, a Shops-on-Saturday social campaign around the holiday shopping period, and a downtown promotional event called the Hippo Claws Crawl that included 17 participating businesses (15 official stops).

The presentation also noted workforce efforts. Beatros said staff has been working with a prospect called Project Maestro on workforce recruitment and that staff will coordinate with Temple College (TSCC) and Hutto ISD's CTE program to advertise jobs and participate in career events.

Why this matters: the program is intended to reduce business turnover, connect small businesses to funding and workforce resources, and provide a point of contact for new and existing enterprises. Staff asked for continued EDC support for marketing and outreach and said the EDC website will link to the BlueDot directory and outside resources such as SBDC and SCORE.

Board discussion and next steps: board members asked about attendee surveys and follow-up; Beatros said surveys were sent to attendees and panelists and that summarized feedback will be provided. The board asked staff to continue marketing the program across channels and to explore email/newsletter outreach in addition to social media. Several board members offered to support outreach and volunteer for business visits and events.

Attribution: all direct quotes and attributions in this item are to Emily Beatros (Business Resource Specialist) and to board members who asked questions, as recorded in the meeting transcript.","City staff outlined the new Biz Thrive business retention and expansion program, reported 52 one-on-one business visits since October, a business directory of 431 entries, and marketing campaigns including a digital gift-card partnership.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6642832,"Construction advances at Hutto family-entertainment site as branding rolls out",5186,73000,5259000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2537166-3f0cb17591baeafdf361c14da41c6e55&start=73&end=5259","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2537166-3f0cb17591baeafdf361c14da41c6e55/thumbnail_73000.jpg","/articles/6642832/Hutto/Williamson-County/Texas/Construction-advances-at-Hutto-family-entertainment-site-as-branding-rolls-out","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6642832-84053433a6d01e2fc2f2c3249d9ecf39/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182649&Signature=CZ-7UP97f1JH5JlvI~7GszEasr7U55-9jaz1tOb608rsBmlA1DPi71JsIicQR2nBwDBhcGBW93WDJq8MQ9g1tkrHQy5yLyNqoP-LFBgzCS2nxWQWPwo--WdzEPGEsYigA4H15jwGHgwxiwPP6OhiA1dauAfExmxah-PPq3HtuWQtwWwj057~Rt7o6Hf6HEvTMM7Zlg9O94zr2vs7QInLBpKEesU3HLZ7EWG5fsR~isS8-2aZsLSJo1ebjdu2MOxoOIkYeppaIzTqTn5Na~8IqulLTk3kYDYh8V03hkSoGrYEGZA1Ap4oAYORQ920tpGigIPNwvYbutcVCN0cQrtxOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Construction work is moving into finish stages at the family-entertainment center the Hutto Economic Development Corporation has described publicly as Project V, and the branding team unveiled the venture's consumer-facing name and artwork. Representatives said equipment deliveries and interior finishes are scheduled in the next four weeks as crews complete concrete and mechanical work.

The update opened with a construction progress report and staffing news. A presenter on behalf of the project said the exterior paint and concrete are nearly done; concessions, bowling lanes and auditoriums are in finish stages; and bowling equipment and kitchen installations are scheduled in the coming weeks. The presenter also said the project has identified a general manager who will relocate to Hutto.

A branding team from Helms Workshop presented the consumer name, described in the meeting as \"Hokie\" in agency materials and discussed focus-group feedback. Christian Helms, founder and principal at Helms Workshop, said the agency ran focus groups across markets and crafted a visual system intended to feel \"slightly retro\" and to position the venue as a family-oriented, active entertainment option. Ryan Kitchens and Ally Urbino of Helms Workshop joined the presentation.

Why this matters: the center is a high-profile, incentive-supported project for the city and EDC. Board members and staff pressed the presenters on permitting and rollout logistics. Economic development staff said sign permitting comments are already under review by the city and that staff will help move the permit process.

Board response and next steps: Board members offered mixed reactions to the name and branding. One board member asked that staff consider another name; others said they supported the work and expressed eagerness for the venue's opening. Staff and the branding team said the rollout will be national and that construction remains on the schedule described in the presentation.

The EDC's staff also summarized the incentive structure on the public record during the meeting. The corporation has previously approved a performance-based package tied to opening and sales-tax performance; in staff remarks the package was described as including a maximum grant and a sales-tax reimbursement schedule that tapers over the incentive period. Staff noted active incentive agreements are posted on the Texas Comptroller's website.

A note on attribution: direct quotes in this story come from meeting presenters and staff who spoke during the Project V agenda item: Christian Helms (Helms Workshop), Ryan Kitchens (Helms Workshop), the construction presenter identified as Chris, and City/EDC staff and board members who appear by name in the record.

Taper/What to watch for: staff and the branding team said key near-term items are sign permitting, equipment deliveries, and the final drapery/seat/projection installations that will allow auditoria (including IMAX) to begin projection testing and programming.","Developers and a branding firm updated the Hutto Economic Development Corporation on construction progress at the family entertainment project known in company materials as Project V and on a new nationwide brand. Board members asked about permits and some sought reconsideration of the chosen name.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Hutto EDC restricts executive-session attendance and tables agenda-label change; several administrative votes approved

EDC flags Highway 79/CR 132 intersection as key to retail interest; Spine Road funding and next council steps clarified

Hutto staff reports 52 business visits and a new "Biz Thrive" retention program

Construction advances at Hutto family-entertainment site as branding rolls out