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October 13, 2023
Bandera Economic Development Corporation now accepting promotional funding applications
By Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
The Bandera Prophet
The Bandera Economic Development Corporation is now accepting promotional funding applications from individuals and area businesses. The deadline to submit an application is Jan. 1, 2024.
The BEDC board members will review the applications during their Jan. 16, 2024 meeting, and will make final award determinations during their Feb. 20, 2024 meeting.
See the applications at https://www.banderatx.gov/bc-edc/page/bandera-edc-incentives
~ In other business, pending legal approval, board members approved the drafting of a performance agreement with Wagon Rides of Bandera, which would grant $8,759.05 for the purchase of a horse-drawn carriage.
The rides will provide additional transportation for Bandera tourists, owner Debra Slate told BEDC board members Wednesday. She said her carriage has hazard lights, turn signals, and bright yellow/orange signs that state “pass wide and slow,” for road safety.
“Safety is paramount. I don’t want to be a statistic,” Slate said, in reference to the tragic accident in January 2018, when Bandera carriage driver Fonda Freeman and her horse Eli were killed after being struck from behind by an oncoming vehicle. “It took me a couple of years to get over Fonda’s accident.”
After some discussion, and with BEDC Board Member Laura Devenport opposed due to legal concerns, BEDC board members approved the drafting of the performance agreement, pending approval from the BEDC attorney.
~ “Don’t listen to social media when it says we will have thousands and thousands,” Bandera County Convention and Visitor Bureau Executive Director Patricia Moore said. “It’s a good idea to prepare…go ahead and get your gas, go to the grocery store, get your glasses.”
Moore said she does not expect Bandera to be inundated over the weekend with people flocking to town to witness the annular eclipse, however the count for the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024 is still holding at three- to four-times the county population.
Pct. 3 County Commissioner Jack Moseley said Saturday’s eclipse is moving northwest to southeast, and large events are planned from San Antonio to the Corpus Christi coast.
“Anticipate this weekend to be a very busy weekend,” Moore said. “It will be a gorgeous weekend in the Hill Country.”
The BEDC board members will review the applications during their Jan. 16, 2024 meeting, and will make final award determinations during their Feb. 20, 2024 meeting.
See the applications at https://www.banderatx.gov/bc-edc/page/bandera-edc-incentives
~ In other business, pending legal approval, board members approved the drafting of a performance agreement with Wagon Rides of Bandera, which would grant $8,759.05 for the purchase of a horse-drawn carriage.
The rides will provide additional transportation for Bandera tourists, owner Debra Slate told BEDC board members Wednesday. She said her carriage has hazard lights, turn signals, and bright yellow/orange signs that state “pass wide and slow,” for road safety.
“Safety is paramount. I don’t want to be a statistic,” Slate said, in reference to the tragic accident in January 2018, when Bandera carriage driver Fonda Freeman and her horse Eli were killed after being struck from behind by an oncoming vehicle. “It took me a couple of years to get over Fonda’s accident.”
After some discussion, and with BEDC Board Member Laura Devenport opposed due to legal concerns, BEDC board members approved the drafting of the performance agreement, pending approval from the BEDC attorney.
~ “Don’t listen to social media when it says we will have thousands and thousands,” Bandera County Convention and Visitor Bureau Executive Director Patricia Moore said. “It’s a good idea to prepare…go ahead and get your gas, go to the grocery store, get your glasses.”
Moore said she does not expect Bandera to be inundated over the weekend with people flocking to town to witness the annular eclipse, however the count for the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024 is still holding at three- to four-times the county population.
Pct. 3 County Commissioner Jack Moseley said Saturday’s eclipse is moving northwest to southeast, and large events are planned from San Antonio to the Corpus Christi coast.
“Anticipate this weekend to be a very busy weekend,” Moore said. “It will be a gorgeous weekend in the Hill Country.”