For Paula Stakes, economic development is all about balance. As the Executive Director of the Bulverde/Spring Branch Economic Development Foundation (BSBEDF), Stakes brings a wealth of experience to her role. Prior to assuming her current position a year and a half ago, she had served on the Executive Board since 2013.
A retired banker, Stakes also dedicated 12 years to public office. “I don’t think I could have received that training in any other way than by being hands-on,” she says. “Being part of the transition from limited growth to huge growth was quite an education.” Stakes served as a council member and later, as Mayor of Live Oak, Texas––just 17 miles northeast of San Antonio. This was formative experience.
“At the time, Live Oak didn’t have much economic development. But the city was uniquely positioned at the intersection of a state highway and another interstate,” she explains. “We knew it would grow––it was just a matter of having a plan and a process.”
One of the early steps toward growth was introducing the first outdoor shopping area, covering around 200 acres at the time. Today, 25 years later, this site has become a major intersection connecting to the northeast San Antonio area. Interstate 35, running from the U.S.-Mexico border to Austin and beyond, has only increased its importance.
Describing the area’s growth as “phenomenal,” Stakes emphasizes that success required community input and strategic negotiations.
Of all the states in America, Texas stands out––and not just because of its size. Encompassing the landmass of Indiana, Ohio, and all the New England and Mid-Atlantic states combined, Texas offers a mix of deserts, plains, forests, and mountains. Known worldwide, Texas has the world’s eighth-largest economy, with a GDP of $2.636 trillion in 2023, driven by oil and gas, chemicals, technology, agriculture, tourism, and more. As one of seven U.S. states without a personal income tax, Texas is appealing to both residents and businesses.
Founded nearly 13 years ago, the Bulverde/Spring Branch Economic Development Foundation actively supports local businesses in these growing communities. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Foundation is entirely funded by its members and is dedicated to managing and fostering economic growth for today and the future.
Initially just a committee within the Bulverde/Spring Branch Chamber of Commerce, the Foundation quickly grew into something much bigger. Some of the original founding members are still part of the executive board today.
The Foundation operates differently from most communities, as many rely on tax dollars for economic development. Without this funding, the Foundation had to establish itself as a 501(c)(3), which took nearly four years. This involved creating bylaws, determining leadership, and outlining membership levels.
As a resident of 23 years, Stakes has seen firsthand the area’s growth, which attracts about 1,000 new residents annually in the Bulverde/Spring Branch region. Bulverde’s population now exceeds 7,400, while Spring Branch is home to over 14,000 residents. The area’s population growth is driven by an exceptional quality of life that combines both rural and urban amenities.
Located just 20 minutes’ drive from San Antonio, the region offers the peacefulness of the country while being close to work and amenities. Residents enjoy nearby attractions like Fredericksburg and Kerrville, as well as abundant state parks and lakes. Large developments like Johnson Ranch, ideal for young families, feature a Junior Olympic pool, walking trails, and more.
“It’s an ideal place to raise a family,” Stakes says. Retirees and veterans also benefit from the area’s proximity to hospitals and airports in San Antonio and Austin. “We’re considered the gateway to the Hill Country,” she adds. “There’s a lot of open space, especially in the Spring Branch area. Though the City of Bulverde has grown to about 15 square miles, it still maintains its small-town feel thanks to its strategic location at key state highway intersections.”
For those considering relocating, homes in the area range from $428,000 in the Hill Country to $600,000 or $700,000 for a ranch. Despite these prices, residents enjoy proximity to essential services, including a corporate hospital that recently added a 24-hour emergency facility and several surgical centers.
In addition to healthcare facilities, Bulverde and Spring Branch continue to attract restaurateurs, retailers, banks, and other businesses. Chick-fil-A, for example, recently presented plans to open in the City of Bulverde. Other new businesses on the horizon include Panera Bread, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Chase Bank, Texas Regional Bank, and new medical offices and imaging centers.
The local Comal Independent School District (ISD), which serves students from pre-kindergarten through Grade 12, plans to open new schools, including a cyber-tech high school and a new middle school. In fact, there will soon be four middle schools in the Bulverde/Spring Branch area. “There’s a lot of growth happening, and it’s exciting,” says Stakes. The area will also welcome a new vocational college on a 40-acre site, as well as new apartment complexes, car dealerships, and more.
“We’re independent thinkers here,” Stakes says. “We strive for a balanced approach, blending new businesses with the existing community. We still want to maintain our Hill Country identity while accommodating both residential and commercial. It gets interesting, finding the fine line.”
The area’s exceptional quality of life is the primary reason newcomers are drawn to Bulverde and Spring Branch. It offers a place where parents can actively participate in the local school system and community development, knowing their children are safe. This secure environment also makes the region an attractive destination for businesses.
Texas, a state that honors both its past and future, boasts ranches in the Hill Country that have been family-owned since the 1870s, still in the hands of descendants of the first settlers. These families take pride in their Texan heritage and strive to preserve it. For example, the family that founded the first general store in the area in 1874 also helped to open a beautiful old German Barn that still holds barn dances once a month. The state itself has also preserved a 600-acre ranch with caverns, ensuring its continued legacy.
“The mission is clear,” says Stakes. “First, we enhance the quality of life. Second, we preserve the character in the community, the families that we have here. Building a thriving life, maintaining the quality of life, and then focusing on infrastructure––that’s the order of priority,” she explains.
“And when you live here, that’s always at the forefront of your mind. Preserving the community comes first. If you want your community to be here for your grandchildren, you have to preserve it now.”
