Bastrop in the Running for On-Air Main Street Makeover

The town of Bastrop has been named as one of twenty small-town finalists to receive an on-air makeover in 2018. If selected, Bastrop will receive infrastructure improvements, as well as other upgrades that will reignite the spark that drives the small town and keeps people coming back.

Small Businesses Under Siege

Photo: Facebook/VisitBastropTX

According to the “Small Business Revolution” website, as they traveled the country, capturing the inspiring stories of 100 small businesses, they recognized that nowhere in America are small businesses more critical, and more under siege, than in our small towns. This is how the “Small Business Revolution – Main Street” was created–to help those small businesses, and in turn, those small towns, reignite the spark that drives them and keeps people coming back.

Each season, “Small Business Revolution – Main Street” seeks out America’s most inspiring small towns, and awards the winner with a $500,000 revitalization and features the transformation in an original series.

Has Suffered 5 Natural Disasters Since 2011

Photo: Facebook/VisitBastropTX

Bastrop, which is located just east of Austin, is a little retreat along the banks of the Colorado River, where people travel to go kayaking, tubing, and hiking. After having five federally declared natural disasters since 2011, the community needs more help than ever to restore their downtown district and decrease business turnover.

The worst of the disasters in Bastrop was the fire that began on September 4, 2011. This was the most destructive wildfire in Texas history as it destroyed 1,691 homes, killed two people, and caused $325 million of insured property damage. The drought in Texas at the time, combined with strong winds from the Gulf of Mexico, caused by Tropical Storm Lee helped fuel the fires.

To learn more about the “Small Business Revolution – Main Street” series, visit their website or follow the selection process on their Facebook page.