Dave Porter, former senior vice president of economic development for the Austin Chamber of Commerce, will serve as the WilCo EDP’s first executive director. He previously worked with the organization as a consultant to help create its strategic plan.
“I'm extremely excited to be coming back to Central Texas,” Porter said in a news release. “Williamson County offers such a diverse menu of options for new and expanding companies. The potential for even greater success is evident by the close working relationship between the partner cities and the county.”
The hire comes after commissioners unanimously approved a $500,000 investment, which is meant to be used for the EDP’s broad list of goals outlined in the contract. Such efforts include marketing to tech companies and medical industries, recruiting new businesses to open in Williamson County and creating incentives for companies to do business in the area, among other initiatives.
Precinct 1 Commissioner Terry Cook expressed some initial concern regarding the contract in the Oct. 25 meeting.
“I’m a little uncomfortable with the amount of money the county was asked to put in, but I recognize that everyone in the county does benefit, no matter where a new company lands, ultimately in helping us with our property taxes over time,” Cook said.
The county agreed to provide the EDP with an initial installment of approximately $83,000 on or before Nov. 4. Payments of a little more than $41,600 will be made each month until September 2023. Meanwhile, the EDP’s staff will look for other funding sources to continue the program.
“It’s a first-year agreement, which is what was important to me—that it’s not an ongoing commitment, and there’s a commitment amongst the group to raise funds for ongoing,” Precinct 2 Commissioner Cynthia Long said. “I think the fact that we were able—for the last two years—to actually lower the property tax bill is a testament to more businesses moving in, despite raising valuations.”
Made up of cities and communities within the county—including Cedar Park, Georgetown, Jarrell, Leander, Liberty Hill, Round Rock, Taylor and Hutto—the WilCo EDP was created in 2014 to help market and promote economic development in Williamson County.
