New Braunfels Economic Development Corporation Meeting – January 15, 2026

The New Braunfels Economic Development Corporation (NBEDC) met Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers, 550 Landa St., New Braunfels, Texas. President Shane Hines presided. Directors Tera Thompson, Larry Hammonds, Don Austin, Atanacio Campos, and Cory Elrod were present; Kristen Carden was absent. Also in attendance was Mayor Neal Linnartz. The board approved minutes, received the January 2026 Treasurer’s Report, reviewed the BerryDunn Strategic Planning Outcomes Report, approved two expenditures, heard a presentation from Gener8tor, elected CY 2026 officers, and later entered executive session. No action was taken in executive session.

Minutes

• The board unanimously approved the November 3, 2025 workshop meeting minutes (motion: Thompson; second: Austin).
• The board unanimously approved the November 20, 2025 regular meeting minutes (motion: Hammonds; second: Thompson).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No comments were made during Citizens’ Communications.
• Public hearings for the Streets and Utility Design Master Plan and the parks facilities maintenance expenditure were opened and closed with no public comments at 5:52 PM and 5:57 PM, respectively.

Treasurer’s Report

• Jared Werner, Assistant City Manager, reported that November 2025 sales tax collections were up 13.6% compared with November 2024. After adjusting for the resumption of HC Supply sales taxes, current-period collections reflected about a 5% increase, above the roughly 2% budgeted.
• October and November 2025 sales tax collections were up approximately 7.3% compared with Fiscal Year 2025.
• HC Supply sales taxes will not flow directly to the EDC; the board previously allocated 100% of those collections back to the company as part of its 50% share, allowing the general fund to contribute 33%.
• Werner also presented graphical information on projected revenues, current project funding commitments, and projected ending fund balance from FY 2026 through FY 2030.

Discussion Items

• Strategic Planning Outcomes Report: Jeff Jewell, City Director of Economic and Community Development, said the EDC has made about $45 million in community-centric investments since 2023, including parks, trails, open space, drainage and flood mitigation, and educational opportunities. About $22 million of those investments were identified through previous planning exercises. Karen Whichard, Manager at BerryDunn, presented virtually the Retreat Outcome Report and four draft priority areas: workforce support; planning and infrastructure; enhancing sense of place; and business recruitment and retention. The board discussed the report but took no action.
• Streets and Utility Design Master Plan: Garry Ford, Director of Transportation and Construction Services, presented a proposed master plan to set standards for public right-of-way improvements, including underground utility conversions, pedestrian improvements, on-street parking, landscaping, lighting, and other enhancements. The cost is up to $175,000, with work expected to begin in spring and take about eight months.
• Parks Facilities Maintenance and Operations: Jeff Jewell explained that, because the EDC cannot directly fund the Early Matters New Braunfels early childhood education initiative due to statutory restrictions, the EDC would instead fund up to $300,000 in maintenance and operations of Zip Family Sports Park, about $100,000 per year for three years. This would free general fund dollars for a proposed Chapter 380 agreement supporting early childhood education. He noted the Early Matters initiative is expected to cost $250,000 annually, with $300,000 in support from the McKenna Foundation over three years and a $25,000 capacity-building grant from the Kronkosky Foundation.
• Gener8tor Presentation: After President Hines moved item D forward on the agenda, Michelle Boggs, SVP of Economic Development at the New Braunfels Chamber, said the community lacks accelerator, incubator, and co-working space infrastructure. Robert Pieroni of Gener8tor presented the organization’s model and track record, including support for more than 2,100 startups, $2.9 billion raised, more than 15,000 jobs created, and diversity statistics above national averages. Board members asked clarifying questions; Jonathan Packer, Chamber President and CEO, added that Gener8tor would hire a local employee and has flexible office-space requirements. No action was taken.
• CY 2026 Officer Elections: The board unanimously elected Shane Hines as President, Kristen Carden as Vice President, Larry Hammonds as Secretary, and Don Austin as Treasurer for CY 2026, effective January 16, 2026.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the November 3, 2025 workshop and November 20, 2025 regular meeting minutes unanimously.
• Approved an expenditure of up to $175,000 for the Streets and Utility Design Master Plan (motion: Austin; second: Hammonds; unanimous).
• Approved an expenditure of up to $300,000 for maintenance and operations of NBEDC-funded parks facilities (motion: Hammonds; second: Thompson; unanimous).
• Elected CY 2026 officers (motion: Thompson; second: Hammonds; unanimous).
• Took no action on the Strategic Planning Outcomes Report, the Gener8tor proposal, or executive session items.

Executive Session

• The board recessed to executive session at 6:02 PM; the session began at 6:06 PM. The board discussed economic development negotiations for Project Shoot, Project Thread, Project Icon, Project Space, Gener8tor, and Gruene 16, as well as pending or contemplated litigation and privileged matters concerning 210 S. Castell, LLC. The board returned to open session at 6:48 PM, took no action, and adjourned the meeting at 6:48 PM.