Council and YEDC hear from “IMPACT” Foundation

Board members received reports from the “IMPACT” Foundation in a joint meeting between Yoakum City Council and Yoakum Economic Development Corporation on Nov. 20.

“IMPACT’s” mission statement is to empower the businesses in Yoakum by aligning, optimizing, and nurturing the needs of the town, local businesses, and aspiring entrepreneurs. One of the ways they are doing this is by providing scholarships to students and encouraging them to return to Yoakum.

“This is a perpetual, ongoing scholarship,” “IMPACT” founder Charles Fisher said. “This will set a student up so they can further their education. Once they’ve been selected, $5,000 of their costs for college each year will come from the ‘IMPACT’ foundation. This has already been advertised to the high school so that these kids know that this scholarship exists. The scholarship is very selective and not everybody is going to want to go to college. That’s fine, it pays for trade schools too. It’s all about them getting a skill and coming back home to Yoakum and put it to use.”

The idea is to elevate the economic landscape in the City of Yoakum. Genora Young, YEDC President, said they will be considering this initiative and “IMPACT” could be on more future agendas.

“Their purpose is to bring students back to Yoakum. We have very bright students in the area, and they are exceptional at what they do,” Young said. “This aligns with our strategic plan at attracting new entrepreneurs.”

YEDC and councilmembers also heard from the Yoakum Student Council. They gave a presentation on their efforts at beautifying Yoakum ISD. The beautification project will cost roughly $70,000 and they are accepting donations. These types of students are exactly what the “IMPACT” scholarship is looking for, according to Fisher.

“I really want to leave a legacy for our school,” Student Council President Abbie Galvan said. “I believe this project will really help Yoakum ISD.”

YEDC also detailed some of the grants that have occurred over the past year.

These grants include:

• A $2.5 million grant committed by the YEDC for funding of water and sewer line installation at Industrial Park II. This grant is an 80/20 match.

• Yoakum Oak Grove Cemetery received $5,000.

• Varela’s Best Small Business Improvement Matching Grant was $10,000.

• Yoakum Memorial Cemetery Improvements Grant was $5,000.

• Kaspar Horse Barn/Welhausen Legacy dba Circle Y Saddles received $250,000.

• Eddy Pack received $237,500 for a lift station.

• Yoakum Chamber of Commerce received $4,000 for a promotional video.

The next joint EDC and City Council meeting will be Feb. 19.