The Greater San
Marcos Partnership 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 corporation was
officially organized in July 2010, but the work on a comprehensive economic
development strategy began in January 2009 when greater San Marcos’ leaders
first organized as the Partners for Progress, engaged Market Street Services to
facilitate an economic development strategic plan, and elected Dr. Perry Moore,
vice chancellor of academic affairs at Texas State University- San Marcos, to
chair the effort.
Originating Partners
for Progress investors included the City of San Marcos, who spearheaded the
effort, Economic Development San Marcos (EDSM), the San Marcos Area Chamber of
Commerce, Hays County, Caldwell County, the city of Lockhart, the city of
Luling, Prime Outlets, Texas State University- San Marcos, Central Texas
Medical Center (CTMC), San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District
(CISD) and Gary Job Corps.
For the first time
in history, a regional cross-section of stakeholders in the two counties joined
together to work on economic development. The partners became vested in the
plan, contributing $125,000 to match the city of San Marcos’ $100,000
investment.
In October 2010, the
Greater San Marcos Partnership embarked on a public-private fundraising
campaign to underwrite the $4MM five-year implementation plan. By April 2010,
the partnership had secured the funding from 75 public-private investors and
opened its new offices at 1340 Wonder World Drive.
Finally, the GSMP
partnered with the Texas State Small Business Development Center and arranged
for them to house their operations in the new GSMP headquarters. This provides
easy access to many services for local companies, and introduces new
opportunities for GSMP and SBDC to collaborate and deliver training and
technical assistance throughout the area.
GSMP received the ED Excellence Award from
Carlton Schwabb (President & CEO of Texas Economic Development Council) in
April 2010. In late 2010, the Greater San Marcos Partnership received the
Spirit of San Marcos award from Mayor Susan Narvaiz and the “Best New Economic
Development in Texas” award from Phyllis Snodgrass (Vice President of Chamber
Relations, Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives).