H-E-B to open store on vacant landfill site south of Austin
A long-dormant landfill site in Buda, Texas, is set to become a hub of economic activity thanks to a groundbreaking partnership between H-E-B and Hays County, which sits a 20-minute drive south of downtown Austin.
Because of the location’s history, all parties took extreme precautions and conducted thorough reviews to ensure that the proper investment, safety and well-being of residents and the community were the top priorities, according to a press release on the project from Hays County and the city of Buda.
The two government entities have committed to a combined $20 million incentive package over 30 years that will be funded through sales and property tax rebates generated from newly created sales and property taxes resulting from the project.
“This is a defining moment for our community,” said Buda’s mayor Lee Urbanovsky. “By taking land that once symbolized limitation and turning it into a source of jobs, commerce and community pride, we are writing the next chapter of Buda’s story.”
Under the agreement, H-E-B has promised heavy investment in environmental remediation and roadway improvements to enhance the flow of traffic to the site along Interstate Highway 35 and Main Street in Buda.
The financial incentive package — a Chapter 380 and economic and development performance agreement — will help offset land remediation costs estimated at $30 million.
Within 18 months of the store’s opening, H-E-B will repurpose at least 60% of the former property for additional retail tenants. The chain has committed to creating 50 full-time jobs within one year of the opening and has promised to source construction materials locally.
“For decades, this property sat underutilized,” said Jennifer Storm, CEO of Buda’s Economic Development Corporation. “Now, through this innovative partnership, we’re creating opportunity where none existed before.”
The average household income in Buda is around $124,000. The city was named the “Outdoor Capital of Texas” by the state legislature due to its 17 parks that include the 54-acre Historic Stagecoach Park.
H-E-B plans for construction of its Buda store to begin in 2026.
