BUDA — It’s not often that governmental entities or individuals are recognized for their positive contributions to the community, but on Feb. 18, the Buda Chamber of Commerce honored the Buda City Council and City Manager Micah Grau with the Champion of Buda and Changemaker awards, respectively.
This is the first time in the chamber’s 24-year history that the Champion of Buda award has been given to a governmental entity.
Mayor Lee Urbanovsky said he was traveling with family in Nashville when he heard the news on social media after the awards gala was held.
“I was surprised and humbled by the acknowledgement,” Urbanovsky said. “One of my goals since being elected has been to improve the city’s relationship with all of our local and regional partners. I believe this council has made major steps achieving a cohesive working relationship with the chamber. Even today, in an [Economic Development Corporation] meeting, the marketing consultant mentioned how all the different organizations … all are sharing the same message.”
The message is clear: the Buda Chamber of Commerce deemed Buda City Council as a Champion of Buda — an award established to recognize an official who “champions Buda businesses and their causes by paving the way for job creation, business expansion and new business growth” in the city, said former chamber president John Hatch. “This honoree champions cutting red tape and taking action to make ‘building a better Buda’ a reality. These significant efforts are what make Buda such a great place to live and work.”
Awards are determined by nominations within the business community. A chamber committee then picks who it feels embodies the spirit of a particular award.
This recognition comes on the heels of an improved relationship with the chamber and the city of Buda, Hatch noted.
Following the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, a position was created to act as a liaison, or a navigator, between the EDC and the chamber — an act that has greatly improved the spirit and tenor or relations with the city and the business community.
One example of this nurturing alliance Hatch gave was the Market in the Park event, which will be moved to the Buda Amphitheater and City Park. The fee for the venue — approximately $8,000 — was waived by the city.
“Those are the kinds of things where they’re looking out for ways to help business and us being able to do that will enable vendors to have a much better experience,” the former chamber board president said. “[Buda City Council] has also been more present in all of our functions — ribbon cuttings, grand openings, luncheons. What I’ve seen in the past, during my tenure, city council really didn’t take initiative to be a part of our organization until these changes were happening. And then they saw that the chamber was also headed in the right direction. So, when we [council, chamber and EDC] are all three on the same page, there’s nothing that we can’t do for the city or the business community of Buda and the surrounding areas.”
The mayor said the recognition is “outstanding.”
“Council is working tirelessly to support our businesses,” Urbanovsky said. “This same group on council approved the COVID stimulus packages a couple years ago and continues to improve and streamline the development process. Both of these actions show we are supportive of our Buda business community. I have been involved with city of Buda government going on seven years now and I don’t believe we have ever been a more cohesive, supportive group.”
Not only was city council recognized for its accomplishments in promoting better business in Buda, but the newly-appointed city manager Grau was also named Changemaker of the Year — an award that was established to recognize an individual who is making a positive impact on the Buda community by effecting change, according to Buda Chamber of Commerce Interim Director Ken Higdon.
“Changemakers often identify a specific problem and take the opportunity to tack it head on. Changemakers cannot just parachute into a community as an outsider who has come to save the day,” Higdon said. “They must be personally connected to the issue they want to solve.”
Urbanovsky said that the recognition solidifies council’s decision to promote Grau.
“I have said the annual budgets and the bond packages we do are the most important challenges we face. Our fiduciary responsibility to the residents is paramount. However, deciding on a city manager (who I refer to as the CEO of the city) can have an even longer lasting impact,” the mayor said. “Micah Grau receiving the Changemaker award solidifies our decision as a council to promote him from deputy city manager to city manager.”
The mayor added that the city plans to continue to be both changemakers and champions for Buda businesses.
“Council is working directly with the EDC and chamber to collaborate on the needs of our current business community and expansion opportunities,” Urbanovsky said. “We are working to improve the development process and we are also looking for new grant options to encourage business expansions. More of the same, we are all working well together and our Buda First Focus will keep us the business champion for our city.”
Other awards were distributed to the following businesses and individuals: Norma Williams, Above & Beyond; René Alcala, Citizen of the Year; Jeff Parks, Business Person of the Year; Texas Disposal Systems, Large Business of the Year; Zoi Market, Medium Business of the Year; Water 2 Wine, Small Business of the Year; Mama Merlot’s Speakeasy, New Business of the Year; Kimberley Shoemaker and Kate Ousey, Volunteers of the Year; Colin Strother, Best Citizens Committee Volunteer; Carlos Porteny, Dedicated BACC’s Service; Hays CISD, BACC Community Partner; Buda EDC Director Jennifer Storm, Buda Mover & Shaker; Mark Jones, Lifetime Achievement; W.C. Clark, Buda’s 2nd Annual Local Legend; Ken Higdon, BACC Out of the Wilderness; and K.C. Watson, BACC Lifesaver.
Buda Chamber of Commerce Board President Jaccquie Hollis Martinez said these awards mean a great deal to the community, as she herself won Small Business of the Year in 2017, recognizing Assemblage Contemporary Craftsman Gallery.
“It’s quite an honor to be a recipient,” Martinez said. “Yes, I still have my [award] as Small Business of the Year and, you know, it’s something that I proudly display. It just feels as though you’ve been noticed. You’re recognized and it just kind of validates all your efforts because when you’re a small business owner, you don’t catch a break, you’re just grinding away. So, it’s nice to be recognized by your peers.”
For more information about the Buda Chamber of Commerce, visit its website at www.budachambertx.com.
