The City of Austin is accepting letters of interest from potential recycling and reuse industry tenants interested in locating at Austin’s [re]Manufacturing Hub. Located on redeveloped land owned by Austin Resource Recovery, this new industrial park is positioned to become a home for the local circular economy which will attract, retain and grow zero waste businesses. The project is expected to be an economic driver for new jobs and investments throughout the Central Texas region. Letters of interest are being accepted until Oct. 19.
Currently, many of the recyclable items collected in the City are sent out of state or overseas for manufacturing. The [re]Manufacturing Hub will be a place where recyclables can be transformed into new products locally. The co-location of multiple firms within the recycling and reuse industry will create opportunities for synergistic buyer and supplier relationships. The project will also incorporate sustainable design principles, green infrastructure and upcycled signage. “To reach zero waste in an economically and environmentally sustainable manner, Austin needs companies in our region that can reuse and repurpose the materials we collect,” said Bob Gedert, director of Austin Resource Recovery. “The companies that locate at the Austin [re]Manufacturing Hub will become part of a growing zero waste ecosystem in Central Texas.”
Austin’s Hub redevelopment is part of the Austin Recycling Economic Development Program, an effort to drive local recycling markets and create green jobs. A recent study commissioned by the program found that reuse and recycling have an economic impact of $720 million, which has the potential to grow to $1 billion. Ten acres of the Hub—a non-contiguous parcel in the northwest corner of the property—will be offered for sale through a public auction process. The remaining 95 acres will be offered for lease. Land will be developed in two phases with 10 potential leasable areas for firms in the recycling and reuse supply chain. Basic infrastructure construction will begin in summer 2016 and the first phase will be tenant-ready in early-mid 2017. In July 2014, the Hub became the recipient of a $1 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to fund water and sewer infrastructure improvements. “To remain the best performing economy in the U.S., Austin is always looking to the future. Tomorrow’s economy will be founded on more efficient and sustainable use of our resources,” said Kevin Johns, director of the Economic Development Department. “That’s why we have joined forces with Austin Resource Recovery to bring about this innovative project and support manufacturers that reuse, repurpose, or recycle. I invite all businesses in this sector to consider calling the Austin [re]Manufacturing Hub home.”
After all letters of interest submissions are received, the City will decide whether to issue a request for proposal or begin financial review and negotiations with interested firms. In addition to primary manufacturing tenants, the City is interested in hearing from recycling research and development facilities, incubators, spec builders and smaller firms interested in subleasing space.
Interested businesses or real estate professionals can download the letter of interest form and view a webinar on becoming a tenant at austintexas.gov/ecopark.