With additional funds secured through state tax revenue, Hutto is up to bat and ready to take a swing at plans for the city's first convention center and hotel. The city announced June 18 their successful endeavor to acquire the state's portion of hotel occupancy and sales taxes earnings to offset construction costs. “I want to thank Senator Schwertner, Representative Talarico and Governor Abbott along with many, many others, including our lobbying team led by former House of Representative Larry Gonzales and Emily Parks, our assistant to the city manager,” said City Manager Odis Jones, in a news release. “This is a game changer and major first step of many more to come to make the Perfect Game deal and this development a reality for the Austin region.” The mixed-use project's anchor tenant is Perfect Game, the largest baseball showcase organization in the United States. Perfect Game announced its plan to relocate its national headquarters to Hutto last month, resulting in the largest economic deal in the city's history. The indoor sports arena and convention center will also include retail, restaurant and multifamily residential space and is projected to bring in upwards of $200 million in direct spend annually, once completed. Jones added that the additional 6% HOT tax and 6.25% sales tax that typically goes to the state will be used for construction reimbursement costs, while the city's standard 7% HOT tax and 2% sales tax will not be affected. The Perfect Game development provides an exciting opportunity for the city's continued growth and revitalization, he said. "It has a huge economic impact to not only our community, but the region at large," Jones said. Through the addition of new businesses and the projected 600,000 annual visits to the convention center, Parks said this will positively impact the city's bottom line. "This is a great example of how to keep our local dollars here," she said.