Economic Development
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Why Smithville is a Hotspot for Economic Growth
Demographic information and business statistics related to doing business here are available in our “Smithville Community Profile.”
Interstate 71 has two easy access points into Smithville as well as long frontage along the HWY 71 corridor. Also access to State Highway 95 throughout the community. Access to a major railway within Smithville as well as throughout the county.
Electric, Water, Sanitation, and Sewer services provided by the city of Smithville. Telephone, gas, cable television, and internet all provided by multiple providers including SCT BROADBAND, AT&T, Dish Network, Centerpoint Energy, CG Communications and Time Warner Cable.
Smithville is home to Central Texas’s first High Speed Fiber network. SCT BROADBAND is proud to bring state-of-the-art video, Internet, and phone services to the community via a 100% fiber optic system capable of providing the utmost in entertainment needs. Find out more HERE
At least ten motor freight companies service Smithville on an as needed basis - United Parcel Service (UPS) and FedEx are among those that service our community.
Smithville has experienced tremendous growth in retail sales over the past seven years with sales tax revenues increasing each month in the past twelve months (January 2019-January 2020). Contact the Chamber of Commerce if you would like more information on recent sales tax allocations.
Ascension Seton Smithville boasts a busy emergency room, family physicians, outpatient surgical services and much more! Smithville has the ONLY full-service hospital in Bastrop County. Visit their website: https://www.seton.net/locations/seton-smithville-regional-hospital/
The City of Smithville is governed by a Council-Manager form of government in which the Council establishes City policy through ordinances and resolutions; and the City Manager carries out City policy and is responsible for City operations. The Smithville City Council consists of the Mayor and five Council members. The Mayor and Council are elected at-large, which means they represent the entire City and that all registered voters may vote for all six places.
789 NW Hwy 95, Smithville TX 78957
84R 30°01'56.2"N 97°09'60.0"W
Smithville has the ONLY airport in Bastrop County.
Also known as Crawford Municipal Airport, the airport is located on Hwy 95 (Loop 230) near the intersection of Hwy 71, and is the only airport in Bastrop County. There is no local air traffic control. The airport is used mainly for private planes. The airport has Free Wireless Internet Access and a desktop computer for checking email or weather conditions. The airport also provides a Courtesy Van for pilots (please just refill the gas tank!).
For more information, call 512-237-3282 City Hall or pilot Sandy Meyerson, who has a hangar/business on site at 512-237-3500.
Facebook Page: 84R Smithville Municipal Airport
- Smithville, Bastrop County , Texas
- Unicom 122.9
- Lights Dusk to Dawn
- Glide Slope Landing Indicators
- Runway 17-35; 4000’x75’ (New 2001)
- Elevation 323’
- Fuel: 100LL
- Tiedowns & Hangers Available
- Pilots’ Lounge
- Wireless Internet Access
- Major/Minor Engine & Airframe Repairs
For information on use, see the City of Smithville WEBSITE.
- Smithville, TX is located just 40 miles East of the Austin metroplex on HWY 71. This allows ease of access to a large city while living and working in a small, rural community. Smithville has the amenities you want while having the small town life you and your employees are looking for:
- Smithville has the ONLY airport in Bastrop County
- Smithville has the ONLY recycling center in Bastrop County
- Smithville has the ONLY full-service hospital in Bastrop County
- Smithville has an industrial park with all infrastructure in place located right on HWY 71 and HWY 95, making for excellent frontage on both highways
- Smithville is one of the only Texas Commission on the Arts designated cultural districts with an abundance of public art
- Smithville has fiber throughout our business districts and we were one of the first "gigabit" cities in Central Texas
- Smithville has a beautiful, historic downtown with a wide Main Street and all necessary infrastructure
- Smithville has affordable lease rates, far below the rates typically seen in larger urban areas or, indeed, seen in other area towns in Bastrop and Fayette Counties
- Smithville has excellent HWY 71 frontage for potential investors interested in developing multi-family housing, subdivisions, frontage eateries or package/convenience stores
The Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce strives to create a thriving business community and strong local economy by encouraging the success and retention of start-up businesses. You’ve done your market research and are ready to start taking the steps to successful small business ownership.
Here's a checklist of steps to help get you started:
- Select a Name and Register
- Select Legal Structure
- Write a Business Plan
- Calculate Your Startup Costs
- Secure Financing
- Obtain your Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN)
- Lease Office, Warehouse or Retail Space
- Open a Company Bank Account
- Obtain Licenses and Permits
- Buy your equipment
- Hire Employees (if applicable)
- Set up an Accounting and Record-Keeping System
- Obtain Business Insurance
- Systemize and Organize
- Develop a Business Identity
- Market Your Business
Building your own business from the ground up is an exciting opportunity, but it can also be challenging. SCORE, the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors, is dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals. SCORE provides free, confidential business advice through a volunteer network, webinars and other online resources.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
The Small Business Administration (SBA) "Business Guide"
SCORE's reference manual "Simple Steps for Starting Your Business"
Office of the Governor’s Small Business Handbook
Our Workforce is Ready for Your Business!
Smithville works hard to ensure that our workforce has the education, knowledge, and training needed to succeed in today’s business environment. Graduating high school students are prepared for their first jobs out of school and adults have many opportunities for additional training to improve their skillsets for the current or the next job.
- The Smithville Independent School District (SISD) offers traditional instruction and also provides innovative programming in culinary arts and welding, DECA, the Tiger Academy and the DAEP. The graduation rate in 2015 was 93.8% and the dropout rate was 1% -- far better than Texas averages (The Texas Tribune). These students have a broad base of skills and knowledge by the time they graduate, and have been exposed to the positive forces of giving back to their community as volunteers.
- SISD partners with Smithville Public Library (SPL) and the Smithville Education Foundation (SEF) to leverage additional resources for our small, rural school district. SPL and SEF provide funds and volunteers needed for enrichment activities for students at all levels including a strong visual and performing arts curriculum for students in Kindergarten through fifth grade not possible through school programming, and innovative humanities programs that brings regional scholars and other resources to all grades. SEF additionally provides grants to teachers to allow them to purchase needed equipment, software, technology, and supplies that are not available in the SISD budget but provide the assistance they need to teach more students more effectively.
- SISD has a strong partnership with the Austin Community College (ACC) to provide dual-credit courses, and works with them to ensure that all graduating seniors meet ACC entrance requirements, giving all of them an opportunity to advance to taking Associates level courses at this local two-year college.
- The Smithville Public Library offers adult programming such as ESL, GED, and job-readiness training, as well as computer classes for more general information and specific programs for different levels of users—for example, computer classes are taught in Spanish, and Spanish classes are available for kids and adults who primarily speak English. SPL also supports a variety of online programs related to the workforce.
- The Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce periodically offers classes in customer service, technology, internet and social media, and other useful skills for small businesses. The Chamber is also a tremendous resource for members and advocates for all businesses in the Smithville area.
The Smithville Independent School District (SISD) offers traditional instruction and also provides innovative programming in culinary arts and welding, DECA, the Tiger Academy and the DAEP. The graduation rate in 2015 was 93.8% and the dropout rate was 1% -- far better than Texas averages (The Texas Tribune). These students have a broad base of skills and knowledge by the time they graduate, and have been exposed to the positive forces of giving back to their community as volunteers.
Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce
512-237-2313
100 Main Street - PO Box 716
Smithville, TX 78957