YEDC discusses IP2 update, reimburses grant

By Clayton Kelley

  • YEDC reimbursed a $250,000 grant for improvements at Circle Y. From left to right are YEDC Secretary Linda Schmidt, YEDC Executive Director Genora Young, Tucker Saddles Vice President Darrell Nephew, Circle Y President Garrett Bottlinger, Kaspar Companies Board Member Michael Trojcak, YEDC Board Member Doug Kaspar, City of Yoakum Mayor Carl O’ Neill, YEDC President Layne Brandt, Kapsar Companies COO Peter Robinson, YEDC Board Member Pam Ward, Circle Y Distribution Manager Mark Jemelka
    YEDC reimbursed a $250,000 grant for improvements at Circle Y. From left to right are YEDC Secretary Linda Schmidt, YEDC Executive Director Genora Young, Tucker Saddles Vice President Darrell Nephew, Circle Y President Garrett Bottlinger, Kaspar Companies Board Member Michael Trojcak, YEDC Board Member Doug Kaspar, City of Yoakum Mayor Carl O’ Neill, YEDC President Layne Brandt, Kapsar Companies COO Peter Robinson, YEDC Board Member Pam Ward, Circle Y Distribution Manager Mark Jemelka

The Yoakum Economic Development Corporation discussed Industrial Park II updates and reimbursed a grant at the April 16 meeting.

YEDC recently received a disaster supplement grant towards IP2 in the amount of $2.5 million.

“We’ve received the award notification and have had a kickoff meeting with our project manager,” YEDC Executive Director Genora Young said. “CSRS is our grant writer and our grant administrator and is now our engineering firm. They are very familiar with this project and have a lot of experience with economic development administration grants.”

CSRS Inc. is based out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and aims to help plan, design, fund, and implement sustainable projects.

“We had a meeting with CSRS and we looked at plans,” Young said. “We clarified what all is supposed to take place, where the water lines and wastewater lines go, how far into the park they go, and what our options are.”

YEDC also gave an estimated time when IP2 will open. It’s expected to be complete by the first quarter of 2026 or about 16 months of construction.

The grant YEDC reimbursed was given to Kaspar Horse Barn and Welhausen Legacy towards improvements at Circle Y. It was a project grant in the amount of $250,000.

bursement of the sprinkler systems we installed throughout all of the factories and the offices at Circle Y,” Circle Y President Garrett Bottlinger said.

“We want Circle Y to be a destination for our dealers and for our customers. We’re really excited about the future.”

Circle Y is a saddle manufacturing company in Yoakum which makes about 55 saddles a day.

Other grants the YEDC are committed to, but have not funded, are the Oak Grove Cemetery in the amount of $5,000, the Yoakum Independent School District Bulldog Beautification Project in the amount of $10,000, and the Yoakum Memorial Association in the amount of $10,000.

Eddy Packing will be receiving a grant as well and they are asking for workforce training and other resources. YEDC will be providing funding for the lift stations there.

YEDC also received a re-compete grant reimbursement of $18,648 from the Golden Crescent Regional Planning Commission.

There will be an Economic Development Summit conference in Cuero on May 6. Business owners, community leaders, and entrepreneurs are encouraged to attend.

There is another conference YEDC is considering attending. It is the Keep Texas Beautiful Virtual Conference.

YEDC also received the financial report at the meeting.