Business Resources

The San Marcos Main Street Program is dedicated to supporting small businesses in downtown at any stage of business life. 

  • Main Street Façade ​Grant

    Business and property owners located within the Main Street District are eligible to receive up to $2,000 matching reimbursement for façade improvements including awnings, signage, paint, windows or other front-facing improvements. The Main Street Advisory Board reviews applications the third Wednesday of each month.

    Download Application

    Downtown CoMarketing Grant

    Businesses located within the Main Street District are eligible to receive up to $5,000 matching reimbursement for advertising which promotes their business in areas outside of the San Marcos area. Eligible advertisements include social media, digital ads and even billboards.

    Download Application

    Business Improvement and Growth (BIG) Grant

    The Business Improvement & Growth (BIG) Grant provides technical and financial assistance to commercial property owners or business tenants through a 50% matching grant of up to $20,000. There are two BIG Grant programs, each with its own funding source and purpose.

    View BIG Grant Homepage.

    TIRZ #5 - Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone

    “TIRZ” stands for “tax increment reinvestment zone.” It is a financing tool the State Legislature created to assist cities and counties in developing or redeveloping certain areas. You can think of it as a pot of money collected from property tax on the increased value within the TIRZ. That money can be used to improve the same district from which the money was collected.

    TIRZ #5 FAQ

  • In addition to funding, the Downtown team has multiple resources available to downtown business and property owners.

    Meet One-on-One with our Team

    Looking to open or expand a business in Downtown San Marcos? Our team is available to assist with information about the downtown market, real estate listings, permit processes, etc. Whether an early stage entrepreneur, first time business owner, or experienced existing business, Main Street can provide resources at any stage.

    Schedule an Appointment

    Think B!G Business + Growth

    The City of San Marcos, in partnership with BCL of Texas, provides the ThinkB!G Business Investment + Growth program, which offers no-cost, one-on-one customized business and financial coaching at every stage of running a business. Additional classes are offered in a range of topics to provide knowledge and tools to succeed. 

    View Think B!G Business + Growth Homepage

    Design Assistance Program

    The Texas Main Street Program can provide architectural services to individual building and business owners at no charge. Services provided range from façade renderings to Historic Tax Credit Assistance. The applicant’s property must be located in the Main Street District to be eligible for this program.

    Contact Main Street Staff to Apply

  • Business Location Services

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    As an accredited Main Street city, San Marcos has a dedicated downtown property database which is hosted by the Texas Historical Commission. This web page is used to assist prospective businesses in locating a space for their business. Main Street staff updates the listings monthly.

    Visit DowntownTX.org

    Community Data

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    The following documents are demographic reports for the City of San Marcos and can provide valuable data as you prepare your business plan or explore new markets.

    Visit the Small Business Resources Page

    Downtown New Business Onboarding

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    When a new business opens its doors downtown, Main Street staff request a visit with the business owners. Staff welcome the business to downtown and provide them with information regarding Main Street and city services, social media best practices, staff contact information, funding opportunities and business resources.

    Social Media Promotion & Education

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    Main Street staff utilize the Downtown SMTX digital platforms to promote downtown businesses. This includes social media (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) and paid advertisements which link to the DowntownSMTX.com tourism web page. Staff routinely educate downtown businesses on best practices for social media platforms and Google listing for their business. Staff have created guides which are distributed to new businesses during onboarding.

    City Liaison to Downtown Businesses

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    Main Street staff serve as a one-stop-shop to downtown businesses for all city related questions. Staff help direct business and property owners to the appropriate city department. Staff actively foster positive relationships with downtown stakeholders in order to be a friendly face to the downtown business community. This includes distributing information and resources 2-3 times per month via The Scoop e-newsletter.

  • Stay up to date on all things Downtown business and property owners need to know, including city improvement projects, road closures, downtown events and business resources.

    Click to Subscribe

  • Chamber of Commerce

    Chamber of Commerce

    A business-oriented Chamber working to make San Marcos a better place to live, work, and play.

  • Main Street employs three full-time staff who clean and maintain downtown, with staggered shifts to provide cleaning services 7 days per week. The Downtown Clean Team pick up litter, maintain downtown landscaping beds, install and maintain downtown amenities such as bike racks and benches, and make assorted repairs as needed.

    Additionally, graffiti techs are available through Community Enhancement to assist with graffiti removal.

    If your downtown business would like to request graffiti removal or other maintenance requests for repairs within the public right of way, please contact:

    Jeremy Gonzales Downtown Grounds Specialist

    Phone

    512-393-8430

  • OUR TEAM

    Josie Falletta Downtown Manager

    Phone

    512-393-8430

    Jeremy Gonzales Downtown Grounds Specialist

    Phone

    512-393-8430

    Rebecca Ybarra Director of Destination Services

    Phone

    512-393-5937

    Garret Hope Downtown Program Coordinator

    Phone

    512-392-8430

San Marcos Convention & Visitor Bureau

Download the

Downtown Guide

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Sign up for the

Downtowner

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