\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCatch up on major government news coming out of San Marcos, Buda and Hays County, including future projects and programs.<\/p>\n
1. San Marcos spends $1.68M for airport expansion<\/p>\n
The U.S. General Services Administration, or GSA, announced the transfer of over 240 acres of land in San Marcos on Feb. 5. A portion of the land was sold to the city of San Marcos earlier this year for $1.68 million, removing it from the federal inventory.<\/p>\n
At a glance<\/p>\n
The former U.S. Department of Labor land is located east of the San Marcos Regional Airport. The city purchased nearly 170 acres for a future airport expansion. The project is expected to increase economic activity and traffic into the city, according to the GSA.<\/p>\n
The purchase was approved by the San Marcos City Council on Aug. 5, 2025, according to previous Community Impact reporting<\/a>. The city hopes a future development on the land will attract new businesses and create local jobs.<\/p>\n The land will help the city preserve an essential transportation asset and ensure compatibility between the airport and surrounding land for development as San Marcos grows, San Marcos City Manager Stephanie Reyes said in a statement.<\/p>\n Click here to read more.<\/a><\/p>\n 2. Buda EDC to offer interest-free loan program<\/p>\n The Buda Economic Development Corporation is set to launch a program offering small businesses in the city interest-free loans.<\/p>\n The overview<\/p>\n The Targeted Help for Retention, Innovation, Ventures, and Expansion, or THRIVE, program is a partnership between the Buda EDC and LiftFund, a San Antonio-based organization.<\/p>\n The Buda EDC approved a $105,000 program investment at a Dec. 8 meeting. LiftFund will provide up to $400,000 in loan volume to participating businesses.<\/p>\n How it works<\/p>\n The Buda EDC will buy down the interest rate on loans to Buda-based businesses, said Jennifer Storm, Buda EDC chief executive officer.<\/p>\n Click here to read more.<\/a><\/p>\n 3. Animal shelter, new offices: Hays County OKs $100M in projects<\/p>\n The Hays County Commissioners\u2019 Court authorized the issuance of certificates of obligation to fund major county projects at a Jan. 20 meeting.<\/p>\n The big picture<\/p>\n The authorized COs<\/a> allow the county to fund major public projects by using debt without voter approval. The sum of the certificates for the approved projects may not exceed $100 million and must be repaid within 30 years.<\/p>\n Revenue from an estimated tax rate levy of $0.0102 per $100 assessed property value will pay for the debt service, according to agenda documents<\/a>. Net revenues from the solid waste management system may also be used.<\/p>\n