City advances economic relief to legacy local businesses in East, Southwest Austin

The specifics

A five-year incentive for up to $107,803 with The Vortex, a nonprofit community theater with a bar and eateries, was advanced by city officials March 12. The 38-year-old creative space was labeled as a legacy local business by the city, and support was needed given to lost revenue caused in part by recent National Endowment for the Arts cuts.

The economic agreement will help restore lost funding and stabilize the business, including the reestablishment of some staff positions, "better positioning The Vortex for long-term property acquisition," city staff wrote. Council member Natasha Harper-Madison, who represents District 1 where the theater is located, said businesses supported by the city program are contributors to both Austin's economy and creative identity.

"Communities that surround businesses make them strong, and vice versa," she said. "I just really appreciate that we have the opportunity to talk about agreements that help small businesses stay in small communities.”

Austin expects up to $1.12 million in direct benefits from the incentive deal and the theater's continued operation, including over $1 million in tourism-related spending from nonlocal patrons.

The economic development department is also advancing a place-based incentive with the Circle C Child Development Center in Southwest Austin. The neighborhood preschool is in line to receive nearly $31,000 over five years to help offset property costs for what the city noted as a narrow-margin business.