HUTTO, Texas — A new bill signed by President Joe Biden will deliver some $1.6 million in federal dollars toward development in Buda. The federal appropriations were secured by Rep. Lloyd Doggett and will see some 70 acres redeveloped.
According to the city's Economic Development Corporation and city leaders, the grant will fund new sewage pipelines in three areas just south of downtown.
The region set to receive the funding will be treated as a strategic priority area and will see the construction of wastewater services for the first time.
“This $1.6 million will supplement efforts by the City of Buda, which faces so many costly demands in such a rapidly-growing community,” said Rep. Doggett.
Officials at the local level anticipate the investment will pair with the newly expanded Robert S. Light Boulevard to create an economic engine along the corridor.
Along with the federal grant, the city's Economic Development Corporation has already pledged $409,000.
"It covers that over $2 million project, which is enough to fund a significant expansion to the system," said Evan Ture, the mayor pro-tem and a member of the EDC's board of directors. "That's how I would describe it. You have a pretty robust system and you are expanding it toward areas that are underserved or don't have that infrastructure readily available. So, if a business wanted to be there, they'd be paying fairly large fees to bring the services to that location."
Ture added that the commercial area south of the city targeted by this infrastructure could be the next area with heavy economic development.
“Congressman Doggett’s support in getting this $1.6 million will enable us to handle a major part of water and wastewater needs, without placing the financial burden on the homeowners and businesses through property taxes,” said John Hatch, chair of the Buda Area Chamber of Commerce, adding that Buda is one of the fastest-growing regions in Texas.
According to Deputy City Manager Micah Grau, the planning has already started for the project. He hopes construction will start near the end of summer.
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