Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at 2:53 AM
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Business incubator gets new homebuilder

After some controversy over where Das Greenhaus will plant its roots, the business incubator’s leadership has signed a lease for a new building at 7 Upper Balcones Road.

After some controversy over where Das Greenhaus will plant its roots, the business incubator’s leadership has signed a lease for a new building at 7 Upper Balcones Road.

The 4,800-square-foot site, which has 12 offices, a training room, a conference room and open space, is the third location considered by the nonprofit, which aims to help startups get off the ground.

Officials said the venture could be up and running from mid-May to June 1.

Two to three businesses are already geared up to move in, but the date for the opening has not been announced.

“We are excited to have confirmed space for this project, which fits the city of Boerne’s Mater Plan as well as the (Boerne Kendall County Economic Development Corp.) fiveyear strategic plan,” said Amy Story, Das Greenhaus secretary and CEO of the EDC.

Board members for the new nonprofit said the latest location is a turnkey property requiring no seed money for renovations.

Das Greenhaus recently had to return a $500,000 check to the Kendall County Commissioners Court after officials said an agreement had been breached when the startup switched potential locations.

Last year, the commissioners in a 3-2 vote approved awarding to Das Greenhaus half- a- million dollars, drawn from American Rescue Plan Act funds, to renovate the former Boerne public works building on Blanco Road.

ARPA, also called the COVID-19 Stimulus Package, was signed into law by President Joe Biden last March.

When an initial inspection of the former city building revealed renovations would run roughly $1.3 million, Das Greenhaus leaders, including President Kathy Estes, Story and Treasurer Justin McKenzie, sought a new home for the startup.

This rendered the agreement between the county and Das Greenhaus null and void, causing the new-to-the-dais commissioners and the newly elected county judge, Shane Stolarczyk, to require the return of the funding.

Das Greenhaus board members recently told The Star they intend to reappear before commissioners seeking support for the new plans, with Estes noting they are fundraising just like any nonprofit would.

Officials also said it’s also been a time of rapid progress for the nonprofit with two new board members, Steve Mack and Catie Campbell.


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