The Cibolo Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) has consolidated its business grant offerings into a single program for fiscal year 2027 after awarding more than $200,000 in grants during fiscal year 2026, which ended September 30. The milestone comes in the first year of the EDGE Grant Program, originally introduced in July 2025 to encourage business investment, commercial property improvements, and economic growth throughout Cibolo.
The updated Economic Development for Growth & Enhancement (EDGE) Grant Program now features two funding tiers. The Standard EDGE Grant offers a 50/50 matching reimbursement of up to $15,000 for eligible commercial property improvements such as façade enhancements, signage, exterior construction, lighting, and parking improvements. The Special Circumstances EDGE Grant provides up to $50,000 for qualifying projects involving an investment of $1 million or more, designed to support larger business investments that contribute to Cibolo's economic development goals.
By bringing its grant offerings together under the EDGE program, CEDC aims to simplify the process for businesses seeking financial assistance while providing greater flexibility to support projects of different sizes. The consolidation signals a strategic shift toward streamlining economic development incentives as the city seeks to sustain momentum from the program's first year.
“The EDGE Grant Program helps Cibolo businesses invest, grow, and strengthen our local economy,” said Clancy Hardin, Assistant Director of Economic Development for the City of Cibolo. “The program’s first-year results demonstrate strong momentum, and the updated structure will allow us to support projects of all sizes.”
The first-year awards reached businesses across retail, restaurants, and personal services, including River City ACE, CRUST Pizza, Max & Louie's New York Diner, and other Cibolo establishments. The grants have supported tangible improvements: Max & Louie's used funding to install drop-down blinds on its patio and offset the cost of building signs, while other recipients have invested in facades and signage.
Recipients described the program as a decisive factor in their decision to open or expand in Cibolo. “The Edge Grant signaled to us that the City of Cibolo was invested in supporting and helping us bring our dream of opening our restaurant to reality,” said Derek Campbell, owner of Crust Pizza in Cibolo. Shannon Eklund of River City Ace Hardware said the grant demonstrated the city’s belief in the business’s vision and its investment in the community.
The more than $200,000 awarded in FY2026 reflects CEDC's ongoing efforts to encourage private investment and support the local business community. The program also supports Cibolo's broader economic development strategy, which emphasizes business retention, expansion, and attracting new investment. With the two-tier structure for FY2027, CEDC is expanding the range of projects that may qualify for assistance while maintaining its focus on responsible economic development and long-term community growth.
Businesses interested in learning more about the EDGE Grant Program, eligibility requirements, or the application process can visit www.cibolotx.gov/EDC.
