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astrop’s rapid expansion, fueled by Elon Musk’s ventures and a new film studio, has prompted city leaders to question the relevance of the town’s Economic Development Corporation (EDC). In a move that could reshape how the city attracts business, officials are preparing a ballot measure to dissolve the EDC, according to the Austin Business Journal. The council and the EDC board convened on Oct. 21, directing staff to draft a dissolution plan for voters in November 2025.

    The proposal reflects growing doubt that the EDC still serves Bastrop’s needs. The town, now a magnet for major employers, no longer relies on the subsidies and tax breaks that once defined its growth strategy. Musk’s Boring Company and SpaceX have established facilities here, and actor Zachary Levi is building a $100 million studio for “non‑woke” movies. These projects, along with new multifamily developments and a proposed 390‑acre mixed‑use complex featuring a convention center, hospital, and hotel, have shifted the city’s focus from incentive‑driven growth to broader development.

    Mayor Pro Tem John Kirkland explained that Bastrop “was a sleepy town when we created the EDC, but we’re no longer that. We’re a destination for businesses.” The agency, founded in 1995 and funded by a share of local sales tax, has seen its budget slashed by 75 % last year, leaving it with just $1.1 million annually versus $3.3 million for infrastructure. City Manager Sylvia Carrillo‑Trevino, who also serves as the EDC’s interim director, noted the organization’s limited authority and its dependence on council approval for incentives or land purchases, a relationship some described as “parent‑child.”

    Supporters of dissolution argue that the city can still offer targeted incentives without the EDC, freeing funds for community projects such as park upgrades, downtown infrastructure, affordable housing, a $10 million arena renovation, a downtown parking garage, or new partnerships with local colleges. Another option is to redirect the sales tax to a crime‑control district that could fund additional police officers.

    The EDC still carries about $5 million in obligations, including a $2 million debt to Acutronic USA from a prior incentive deal, which would need to be settled before winding down. Mayor Ishmael Harris cautioned that the city must avoid sending the wrong message, stating, “We don’t want to give the impression that we’re not trying to have businesses come here.”

    The proposed dissolution will be put to a vote in November 2025, marking a significant shift in Bastrop’s approach to growth and business incentives.