City calculates 2022 reinvestment in Downtown Seguin

(Seguin) -- The Seguin Main Street Program recently calculated the 2022 reinvestment within downtown Seguin. This total includes properties that were purchased and rehabilitated, public investment in infrastructure, and more. The grand total for 2022 was just shy of $7 million.

“We are pleased to announce our reinvestment total for 2022 – $7 million – which is one of the highest totals downtown Seguin has ever seen,” said Kyle Kramm, Seguin Main Street & CVB Director, “The bulk of this reinvestment came from the private sector.”

One of the items driving reinvestment in downtown Seguin was the City’s new Business Improvement Grant which assisted multiple downtown businesses. Some downtown businesses used the grant for HVAC upgrades, lighting improvements, painting, ADA access, and more.

One of the largest drivers for reinvestment in downtown was the sale of downtown property which is a positive sign for reinvestment in 2023 as the new owners of the properties will be investing into their buildings to open new businesses. For example, the purchase of 112 East Court Street was reported in the 2022 reinvestment figures, but the construction occurring there for the new bar will be reported in the 2023 reinvestment figure.

Several new businesses opening downtown also drove reinvestment figures. For example, Pecantown Books & Brews conversion of a residential structure into the café and bookstore. Other new businesses included The Dollhouse Tearoom, The Mercantile, One and Only Tattoo and several others.

The public sector’s investment in infrastructure, including the sidewalk project, contributed over $500,000 in the reinvestment total.

Also tracked in the reinvestment total is the number of volunteer hours as the work of the Main Street program is reliant on volunteer board members and event volunteers. Almost 300 volunteer hours were accounted for in 2022, including Seguin Rotary’s assistance with the staging of the Fourth of July Parade. Overall, 2022 was a great year for downtown Seguin and we anticipate 2023 being just as good – if not better.