[{"_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",6512594,"mediaKeyId","5107998-ae474fb27574a05c24b0218575b75f87","parentId",5107998,"title","EDC updates: retail outreach, new events and a $50,000 small‑business grant in development","audioSeconds",602,"startMs",6506000,"endMs",7108000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5107998-ae474fb27574a05c24b0218575b75f87&start=6506&end=7108","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5107998-ae474fb27574a05c24b0218575b75f87/thumbnail_6506000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6512594/Fulshear/Fort-Bend-County/Texas/EDC-updates-retail-outreach-new-events-and-a-50000-smallbusiness-grant-in-development","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6512594-c72a8ec02549917bc2950a2a01067d42/orig.mp4?Expires=1770845947&Signature=nX4hNBFvYXGCIBRDlTDiWFQ~xyV~d7uNCNWIDMaJztrmJPsOMidrK~U0WXWUxzDhifOJNQyFeKgorU81OREuhrdA4YvLjI9206K0DdZ1sx7ewoa1ozIvMSbM2L5zkGblg6M-Moj9wbU6~DFEGG~5XxMRMJTiXCDEr9srTZW2tZ9JpdITKxZwWUuWzc7VxskKdxQ5G9vaj9xneOyqQSi6AVjJuG4xh5q3~FKaBErNGmQpZVKJp9NHb3DSlFld2Znzpe19Qr36ocm4wAbzpraia0X68129kr8swEGOSO4EtOTg8doWDeugyllUEE7Qin3Bq5RarHV5TSPfqbBkoHm31A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Fulshear","date","2025-06-30T00:00:00Z","article","Economic development staff updated the Fulshear Development Corporation B board on retail recruitment work, upcoming events and a proposed small‑business grant program during the June 16 meeting.

Why this matters: Staff are actively recruiting retailers, documenting local businesses and developing programs intended to keep businesses and sales tax dollars in Fulshear. The board’s direction on grant policy and outreach will shape which small businesses may receive assistance from the EDC’s allocated funds.

What staff reported: Anelle and other EDC staff said they are working with a retail recruitment consultant and expect additional retailer interest as consultant reports finalize. Staff are completing an updated business database (contact information, opening dates and business type) using planning department records and door‑to‑door outreach; they will provide a sector breakdown to the board when complete.

Events and promotions: Staff announced the first “Fulshear Follies” community event scheduled for October 11 (4–8 p.m.) at City Hall with live music, vendors and food trucks, and reminded the board of a December 6 tree‑lighting event. The staff’s Local Voices campaign, which highlights small business stories, was described as a high‑engagement marketing tool.

Small‑business grant: Staff and a volunteer working group (board members Jennifer Hageman and Deborah Drescher participated) reported progress drafting a small‑business grant policy and application. Staff said $50,000 is budgeted for that program in FY‑26 but that the policy and legal review must be completed before any grants are awarded. Staff intend to return a draft policy and application to the board for review and legal vetting.

Other items: Staff reminded the board of the Fulshear Central groundbreaking set for July 25 at 4 p.m., noted the TML economic development conference in November (Bastrop) and a TEDC sales‑tax workshop in Houston (online option available), and asked directors interested in training to notify staff for registration. Board members requested improved monthly CIP and project milestone reporting (traffic‑light indicators; schedule vs. actual) for any projects funded by the board.

Next steps: Staff will finish the business inventory and sector breakdown, circulate the draft small‑business grant policy for board comment and legal review, and proceed with event planning and retailer outreach. Photography contest winners will be announced to council on July 15.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Fulshear - Economic Development Corporation Special Meeting - Jun 30, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City economic development staff reported progress on retail recruitment, announced a new October festival and December tree lighting, and said staff are drafting a small‑business grant policy backed by $50,000 in the FY‑26 budget. The board asked staff to continue building business contact lists and expand project reporting.","taxTitle","Fulshear, Fort Bend County, Texas","taxId",69473,"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},6512598,"Votes at a glance: Fulshear B board elects officers, approves minutes and payables",433,527000,960000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5107998-ae474fb27574a05c24b0218575b75f87&start=527&end=960","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5107998-ae474fb27574a05c24b0218575b75f87/thumbnail_527000.jpg","/articles/6512598/Fulshear/Fort-Bend-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-Fulshear-B-board-elects-officers-approves-minutes-and-payables","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6512598-3789e6f7f0da544aabd77a96b2cff0d1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770845947&Signature=l5DX9~uzXYUBfWHM7VjTtjYU-EZcPYg-FUrNTPMWlSTHik0aoIrN6vs~b0fnKlGmOmjYJqhFDpS23trlKBGFPg8N8F-R3osDwIFuRcfL6IekvWz9s3XWSTwVanPePXiZqtmuM0DUPSpTIcIN2-LikA-HHxuIwA15ifNVZgjjp9kXrFru98V-h9Rd~b~CGnnc1UdM3U1kWJWBHsw9jqcOAnHQEgW8318rj5emCldrMfb-QYJlA6JFiX8udy6yehS17oV3MdTsJzJSNeFBmGcnmBZxlMye31BcM08BEa6rbtVixAcQ~evHrvuTRgNnvActWmmmK7u9-RpdfV6sEn5HFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fulshear Development Corporation B board took three routine administrative actions at its June 16 special meeting: the board elected officers for the new term, approved the May 19, 2025 meeting minutes, and approved the financial payables for the period ending April 30, 2025.

Elected officers: After nominations and brief discussion, the board approved a slate of officers: Tommy Kuykendahl as president, Lee O’Brien as vice president, Blake Koepke as secretary, and Mark Derwin as treasurer. The motion to approve the slate was made by Deborah Drescher and seconded by Jennifer Hageman; the motion carried by voice vote.

Minutes: The board voted to approve the minutes from the May 19, 2025 meeting. The motion to approve the minutes was made by Lee O’Brien, seconded by Jennifer Hageman, and carried by voice vote.

Financials and payables: Board members reviewed the financial report for the period ending April 30, 2025. Staff noted sales tax revenues received in June were up about 10% from the same period the prior year and that the promotional budget line is governed by statute (10% of projected sales tax collections). The board approved payment of the corporation’s expenditures and reimbursement to the city (the motion referenced a reimbursement amount of $10,012.69). The motion to approve the payables was made by Mark Derwin and seconded by Ekbayong Otoo; the motion carried by voice vote.

The board recorded no roll‑call tallies in the meeting transcript for these items; each motion carried on a voice vote. All three actions were administrative in nature and will be reflected in the corporation’s minutes and accounting records.","At its June 16 special meeting the Fulshear Development Corporation B board elected its officers for the coming term, approved the May 19, 2025 minutes, and approved the corporation's payables for the period ending April 30, 2025.",{"_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},6512603,"Board leans toward Option 1 for 'Fulshear Fast Track' and asks staff to improve metrics before council review",2333,3262000,5595000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5107998-ae474fb27574a05c24b0218575b75f87&start=3262&end=5595","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5107998-ae474fb27574a05c24b0218575b75f87/thumbnail_3262000.jpg","/articles/6512603/Fulshear/Fort-Bend-County/Texas/Board-leans-toward-Option-1-for-Fulshear-Fast-Track-and-asks-staff-to-improve-metrics-before-council-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6512603-bd3268c3427bb307e81d075d097ad744/orig.mp4?Expires=1770845947&Signature=iQXHvwDq1VwamUIw9koYaagdNaVO5Vj7Vbx~fx0mn3-8AEWmzbikbmZrD3lE3pFsj3GPga0S9XaOOPoSyuL0w3inb170ZXU6nlGvldQ6BYEfahvb~ZnlwtkVfHiQPza9yfC~Yg4u38SAlO7FzIHrJ8TxsYcGTV1O0WfgB3qLxGGWnPS5VK7SqX~9zVQXzBLWEyjRCSeYNvNvTWeNrTTj8wPZwkI8bvQFO4x5hA5sWbtYyYYzOuxqmrZtBx1ETC7RWsS3lf43cH675N3yUI7ezz1d9mnz7n24b~eZhPuYtF~Zw6yoZqWrjwxTbVjt8LTSeld6Lk5qBIviR-7ZJnRrZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fulshear Development Corporation B board on June 16 signaled general support for Option 1 of the Fulshear Fast Track contract for inclusion in the upcoming FY‑26 budget and asked staff to negotiate clearer performance metrics with the contractor. The board’s direction follows a divided City Council discussion in which council members expressed varying preferences among four contract options.

Why this matters: Fulshear Fast Track is the city’s entrepreneurship and business incubation program. Board members said they want better, more concise metrics so the council can judge program ROI; several directors also argued that Option 3—phasing the program into an in‑house staff position—could be more cost‑effective over multiple years even if the first‑year snapshot looks more expensive on paper.

Key points from the meeting: Anelle and other staff summarized that council members had expressed varied preferences during the June 17 council discussion (transcript summary presented to the board): Council members Miller and Johnson preferred Option 1 or 3; Council member Powers preferred Option 1; Council member Baron preferred Option 3 or 4; and Council members Russell, Utakar and Kanopy preferred Option 4 (no continuation). Several board members urged staff to gather the additional metrics council requested and to propose a reporting format that answers specific council questions. Board members discussed the tradeoffs among the options: Option 1 continues the outside contractor work; Option 3 would transition to in‑house personnel over time and, according to board discussion, could be cheaper over a multiyear horizon if the right hire is found and the program is scaled.

Staff direction and next steps: The board asked staff to include a budget placeholder tied to Option 1 (staff indicated they would present the board’s preference to council as part of the FY‑26 budget packet) and to work with the contractor to refine and expand metrics and reporting fields (including a suggested questionnaire to gather what specific metrics councilors need). The board also discussed seeking a clearer, concise monthly report format that could be presented in‑house even if the contractor remains involved.

No formal, binding contract decision was made at the meeting; instead, the board provided direction to staff to place the preferred option in the budget and to pursue improved metrics for council review.","After extended discussion, the Fulshear Development Corporation board signaled support for including Option 1 of the Fulshear Fast Track contract in the FY‑26 budget and asked staff to work with the contractor on clearer metrics and reporting. Several members also discussed Option 3 (bringing the program in‑house) as a longer‑term objective.",{"_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},6512608,"Fulshear board pledges up to $600,000 for Katy‑Fulshear lift‑station expansion, condition tied to A board funding of Harris Street sewer",2154,1084000,3238000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5107998-ae474fb27574a05c24b0218575b75f87&start=1084&end=3238","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5107998-ae474fb27574a05c24b0218575b75f87/thumbnail_1084000.jpg","/articles/6512608/Fulshear/Fort-Bend-County/Texas/Fulshear-board-pledges-up-to-600000-for-KatyFulshear-liftstation-expansion-condition-tied-to-A-board-funding-of-Harris-Street-sewer","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6512608-d417abe5f93966b8517548fa941899f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770845947&Signature=DpXV-Q8AbZv4IaOR~D9oUPJNzKZ-1x9KkkZY7eNI5gvUENrYfrLdlHH-fK5gTmFN64kZcdyjJz-OfjnVUIeYEk3sPW0IVJ-aJ~sOByvgl25ckbC9uPeIJ5tkGk3m6lE5KDg8K2gXE4UaY4dVFGfh5USTDsj0Oa-dwAbMefBToBdujY2vGtHQ-zLqcmmXoQJ-EpgqRpCVG3txAsSyCDDZcOtyanBBaH-YGkkxyhchh5zKAUxxbFrUzn79kObdODBPQzRqf7PPdallAIFFxqT87wKXdauYN6Qi6PTmgKxfUkNEtKetxm-8IepQp64xs9jVH80nQS552dmETGP7-4GNig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fulshear Development Corporation (B board) voted on June 16 to commit up to $600,000 toward the Katy‑Fulshear lift‑station expansion, subject to staff verification that the project aligns with the board’s economic development mission and noting that the Type A EDC had already agreed to fund a portion of the Harris Street sanitary sewer work.

The vote capped an extended discussion in which Cliff Bruhard, interim director of public works, presented three capital improvement projects staff recommended the board consider funding for fiscal year 2026: (1) a change order upsizing sanitary sewer on Harris Street, (2) on‑site and off‑site well work at the Pecan Knoll water plant, and (3) the Katy‑Fulshear lift‑station expansion and associated force main and sanitary extensions. Bruhard said the Harris Street sanitary upsizing was inserted into the ongoing Harris Street reconstruction to avoid re‑opening a newly rebuilt roadway and that the work is already under construction as a change order.

Why this matters: board members said they want to prioritize projects that directly support downtown and commercial growth. The lift‑station expansion increases wastewater capacity for areas identified for commercial use and is easier to apportion to commercial benefit than the interconnected Pecan Knoll water projects, staff said. The board’s action provides a near‑term funding allocation the city can include when drafting the FY‑26 budget to be considered by council next month.

Key details from the presentation and debate: Bruhard gave the following estimates and schedule details (as presented to the board): the Harris Street sanitary change order was identified at about $478,000.21; the Pecan Knoll wells and improvements had an estimated construction cost of $3,690,000 with a 10% contingency (total estimate $4,059,000) and design started in February 2025 with anticipated construction start January 2026 and completion January 2027; the Katy‑Fulshear lift‑station expansion carried an estimated construction cost of $3,383,000 with a $338,300 contingency for a total estimated project budget of $3,721,300, design started October 2024, bid start estimated January 2026, and construction start estimated March 2026 with completion June 2027. Bruhard noted the lift‑station schedule is contingent on Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) review and a right‑of‑use permit for an 8‑inch force main in the FM‑1093 ROW.

Board members pressed staff on commercial vs. residential apportionment for projects. Bruhard and staff said the Type A EDC and the city’s engineers would need to calculate the percentage of a project that directly benefits commercial, sales‑tax‑producing uses; that calculation is feasible for the regional lift station (because its service area is definable) but is more complex for the Pecan Knoll site because the water system is interconnected across multiple service areas. Board members discussed using a “not to exceed” dollar amount that would later be adjusted to the commercial share once engineers provide a breakdown.

Fund availability and coordinating commitments: staff reported the B board’s current fund balance available for new commitments was a little over $3,000,000. Board members noted the Type A EDC had already expressed willingness to fund the Harris Street sanitary work at either 50% (as presented for budget purposes) or potentially 100% if the A board amends its budget; that commitment influenced several members’ preference to match or otherwise coordinate funding. Board member Lee O’Brien moved the $600,000 not‑to‑exceed contribution for the Katy‑Fulshear lift‑station expansion on the assumption the Type A board would cover the Harris Street sanitary cost; the motion was seconded and carried without recorded roll‑call names (motion made by Lee O’Brien; seconded by Anelle, staff). Board members instructed staff to ensure any reimbursement or allocation conforms to the board’s statutory limits on EDC expenditures and to return documentation showing the portion eligible as commercial economic development before disbursing funds beyond the not‑to‑exceed placeholder.

Implementation considerations and risks: the board noted schedule and permit risks (TxDOT right‑of‑use), the need for engineers to calculate the commercial percentage before final reimbursements, and the potential for contingency draws on later phases (Pecan Knoll off‑site wells). Several members also asked for improved project reporting (milestones, schedule status, recovery plans and a simple traffic‑light dashboard) for any projects the board funds or co‑funds.

What’s next: staff will include the $600,000 not‑to‑exceed allocation in the board’s proposed FY‑26 budget materials to present to city council, and will obtain a commercial‑benefit breakdown from engineers for projects where the apportionment matters before final reimbursements are made. The Type A EDC’s final budget decisions will also affect how much the city or B board will be asked to contribute toward Harris Street.","The Fulshear Development Corporation B board voted to commit up to $600,000 toward the Katy‑Fulshear lift‑station expansion for FY‑26 after a multi‑hour presentation of three capital projects. The board’s decision was conditioned on the Type A EDC’s prior commitment on the Harris Street sanitary sewer.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

EDC updates: retail outreach, new events and a $50,000 small‑business grant in development

Votes at a glance: Fulshear B board elects officers, approves minutes and payables

Board leans toward Option 1 for 'Fulshear Fast Track' and asks staff to improve metrics before council review

Fulshear board pledges up to $600,000 for Katy‑Fulshear lift‑station expansion, condition tied to A board funding of Harris Street sewer