BOERNE– Das Greenhaus, a local nonprofit aimed at fostering burgeoning businesses, received just over $200,000 from county coffers in a split vote, 4-1.
The county contribution comes after months of back-and-forth negotiations with County Commissioners and after a $500,000 check signed by a previous cohort of commissioners was returned to the county budget.
The previous Commissioners Court approved half a million in funding for the business bloomer last year, but the funds were tied to the renovation of the former City Public Works building on Blanco Road.
When the incubator moved to a turn-key property on Upper Balcones Road, the deal was null and void, and the check was delivered back to the commissioners.
The county judge who oversaw the initial nonprofit funding, Darrell Lux, spoke passionately about the project.
“I ask you not to punish them for making a wise, solid business decision,” Lux said. “Das Greenhaus provides a place for ideas to flourish – a place for our Kendall County residents to stay in Kendall County, develop their business with the support of experienced mentors that have already succeeded in their careers and then move out into the community with the confidence, knowledge and foundation they need to succeed.”
He urged the commissioners to consider the ramifications of overturning previous court decisions.
“Please do not stop the funding of Das Greenhaus after the previous court approved it,” Lux continued.
“What kind of message is that to our business community and to our future business partners. ‘Just kidding,’ is not an appropriate response to a commitment.”
One of the major mottos repeated by the Das Greenhaus board has centered on retaining local talent, showing graduates of the local high schools there is a viable business market to return to.
This ethos was reflected in the first two tenants of the newly renovated property at 7 Upper Balcones Road: A Boerne High School graduate and a longtime Hill Country resident.
Don Durden, who served as the Precinct 4 commissioner during the first court contribution, said many of the nonprofit’s detractors are speaking from a lack of understanding about “what Das Greenhaus is really all about.”
The former commissioner explained that all funds contributed to Das Greenhaus go toward building the infrastructure and ecosystem used to boost startups.
He clarified that no funds go directly into the pockets of the businesses being supported.
“It is like instead of feeding a person by giving him the proverbial fish, Das Greenhaus is working to help that person learn how to fish so he can feed himself and others,” Durden said. “This helps Kendall County grow businesses from the ground up internally from inside. It provides job and economic growth that helps us hold down county property taxes on residential properties.”
While the Das Greenhaus board sought $290,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds, of the roughly $9.2 million the county received, concern amongst the commissioners over whether the nonprofit’s already-paid rent could be reimbursed by the county.
When general counsel suggested rent reimbursement was not allowed under the guidelines, the commissioners granted Das Greenhaus $205,000.
However, the vote was split 4-1, and County Judge Shane Stolarczyk – the single nay from the dais –continued to voice his opposition to funding the business incubator.
Stolarczyk noted the number of budget cuts made by commissioners over the past two weeks, questioning how county leaders could ask its staff to make significant cuts in their budgets to then send those saved funds to Das Greenhaus.
“A project like Das Greenhaus is a creative project that our local citizens and businesses may desire to financially support with their own private donations,” Stolarczyk said. “However, I, personally, don’t feel as an elected official I should take your taxpayer dollars and decide this particular cost is worthy of county funding.”
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