Hutto's first movie theater is on its way to the Townwest Commons commercial development at the corner of Hwy. 79 and Ed Schmidt Boulevard.
Austin-based EVO Entertainment Group will build a 53,000-square-foot entertainment destination in the shopping center, the city announced Jan. 19.
According to EVO CEO Mitch Roberts, the venue will include eight theaters with recliner seating and full food service as well as 10 bowling lanes, games and a private event space.
Roberts said the Hutto location will be EVO's first ground-up build since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Coming out of COVID ... we wanted to stay close to home," Roberts said. "With high growth and just a great family community being 30 minutes from our home office, [Hutto is] kind of perfect."
Hutto City Council previously approved a set of economic development agreements for the project—a $4 million economic development grant and a $1.5 million sales tax incentive.
Hutto Economic Development Director Bob Farley said the entertainment center is expected to bring a $25 million investment and roughly 40 full-time jobs to Hutto.
Additionally, he said it could yield up to $3 million in sales tax each year—a 25% increase over the city's current sales tax income.
"It's obviously significant from [a sales tax] perspective, but I think even more importantly, it's part of building out a community that has a more complete set of events and opportunities," Farley said.
Construction is expected to get underway this spring, with a target opening of spring 2024, Roberts said.
Austin-based EVO Entertainment Group will build a 53,000-square-foot entertainment destination in the shopping center, the city announced Jan. 19.
According to EVO CEO Mitch Roberts, the venue will include eight theaters with recliner seating and full food service as well as 10 bowling lanes, games and a private event space.
Roberts said the Hutto location will be EVO's first ground-up build since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Coming out of COVID ... we wanted to stay close to home," Roberts said. "With high growth and just a great family community being 30 minutes from our home office, [Hutto is] kind of perfect."
Hutto City Council previously approved a set of economic development agreements for the project—a $4 million economic development grant and a $1.5 million sales tax incentive.
Hutto Economic Development Director Bob Farley said the entertainment center is expected to bring a $25 million investment and roughly 40 full-time jobs to Hutto.
Additionally, he said it could yield up to $3 million in sales tax each year—a 25% increase over the city's current sales tax income.
"It's obviously significant from [a sales tax] perspective, but I think even more importantly, it's part of building out a community that has a more complete set of events and opportunities," Farley said.
Construction is expected to get underway this spring, with a target opening of spring 2024, Roberts said.
