The Greater San Marcos Partnership (GSMP) is a 501(c)6
regional economic development corporation serving Hays and Caldwell counties,
focused on directing future growth and positioning the region for a wider
diversity of quality jobs with higher wages. Our mission is to promote
sustainable and comprehensive economic development in the greater San Marcos
region by implementing a five-year economic development strategic plan.
The GSMP was officially organized in July 2010, but the
work on a comprehensive economic development strategy began in January 2009
when greater San Marcos’ leaders engaged Market Street Services as facilitator.
In October 2010, the GSMP embarked on a public-private
fundraising campaign to underwrite the $4MM five-year implementation plan. By
April 2010, the partnership had secured funding from 75 public-private
investors and opened new offices at 1340 Wonder World Drive, San Marcos, Texas.
Besides implementing the strategic plan, the GSMP administers
separate contracts with Hays County and the City of San Marcos for economic
development services. The GSMP also oversees and administers Economic
Development San Marcos (EDSM), a thirteen-member city appointed board charged
with the review and approval of business incentive requests for the City of San
Marcos.
The end result is a
regional economic development organization promoting the greater San Marcos
area as the focal point for growth between Austin and San Antonio.
For the first time in history, a regional cross-section of
stakeholders in the Hays and Caldwell Counties has joined together to work on
economic development.
The GSMP achieved its goal to secure $4MM through a capital campaign
to implement the five-year strategic plan.
The funds are used to support three goals outlined in the plan:
- Economic
Diversification: business recruitment,
retention and expansion;
- Workforce
Excellence: collaborating with public school
systems, Texas State University, Austin Community College and Gary Job Corps; and
- Quality of
Place: preserving the resources to attract
and retain members of a talented workforce.
In its first year of operation, GSMP received
recognition from the Texas Economic Development Council - Economic Development
Excellence Award, and the Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives - Best New
Economic Development Program in Texas.
The Greater San Marcos Partnership is poised to
help strengthen the regional community and promote the economic environment and
quality of life to national and global prospects.