This week, the City of Austin reached economic preservation incentive agreements with community organizations The Vortex theater in East Austin and Circle C Childhood Development Center (CDC) neighborhood preschool.

The city summarized the Chapter 380 agreements in a Thursday press release. It notes that Austin City Council authorized an economic preservation agreement with the Vortex through the Place-Based Enhancement Program, a Chapter 380 inventive designed to provide real estate relief to long-standing community organizations.

The Vortex is a creative theater in East Austin that has served as a performance and community gathering space for nearly 40 years. It hosts year-round original professional theater productions and features a nationally certified butterfly sanctuary, the Butterfly Bar, and local food trucks. The program will provide the Vortex with up to $107,803 in incentives over a five-year term.

Additionally, Austin Economic Development advanced a Place-Based Enhancement agreement with Circle C CDC. The agreement is designed to help offset property and sales tax costs for this narrow-margin business, and it includes a maximum award of $30,765 over five years.

Established in 1994, the Circle C CDC is a neighborhood preschool focusing on high-quality early childhood education. It serves families across the city and offers need-based scholarships to support access to early learning opportunities.

Both organizations are recognized as legacy businesses, each serving the Austin community for more than 30 years. Through this support, their activities are expected to continue benefiting Austin residents.

“Austin’s creative and community-serving organizations are essential to the strength and character of our local economy,” said Austin Economic Development Deputy Director Anthony Segura. “Programs like the Place-Based Enhancement Program help ensure that legacy institutions, from performing arts venues to childcare providers, can continue serving our community while contributing to Austin’s economic strength.”

Learn more about the Place-Based Enhancement Program or submit your own inquiry by visiting the website.