Bastrop Economic Development Corporation Newsletter
October 2026
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TLA Roofing & Sheet Metal LLC
Raising Standards While Raising Roofs
TLA Roofing & Sheet Metal LLC was founded on one woman’s unwavering commitment to doing things the right way. CEO and owner Tania Acevedo brings formal business administration credentials, hands-on industry insight, and a deeply personal investment to every project. From full roof replacements to architectural sheet metal, her approach combines professionalism, transparency, and true community care. Based in Bastrop and proudly 100% woman-owned, TLA Roofing is setting a new standard for how roofing services are delivered in Central Texas.
TLA Roofing is a roofing company that excels at high-quality installations and guides clients through often confusing storm insurance claims. Every step—from the free inspection to the insurance coordination to the custom proposal to the expert installation—is designed for clarity and peace of mind. The company’s vetted independent crew ensures skilled workmanship on every site, while transparent pricing and honest evaluations foster the trust that customers value.
Beyond roofing, TLA Roofing & Sheet Metal LLC is making a meaningful community impact. For every residential roof installed, the company provides a paid, ground-level transitional employment opportunity—and a new pair of work shoes—to an unhoused neighbor working to rebuild their life. This commitment reflects Tania’s belief that a strong community is built both roof by roof and person by person. When Bastrop residents choose TLA, they’re not only protecting their homes—they are directly contributing to local stability, dignity, and opportunity. In every way, TLA Roofing is building something bigger than roofs.
Locally Family Owned & Operated
A Domestic Limited Liability Company
Bastrop · Elgin · Smithville · Austin · Insured
Tania Acevedo, Owner, TLA Roofing & Sheet Metal LLC
959 N State Hwy 95
Bastrop, TX 78602
(512) 588-3025
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DocksideBTX Now Open for Lunch!
Since November 2025, DocksideBTX has been bringing true Gulf Coast flavor to Bastrop—now available at lunchtime! DocksideBTX offers fresh catch prepared simply and boldly: crisp baskets straight from the fryer, seasoning with personality, and generous portions. DocksideBTX offers authentic coastal comfort food and a table that tells a delicious story when you’re done. Watch for First Anniversary Specials in November!
Location: 904 College Street, Bastrop
Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 12 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Phone: (512) 409-3036
Web: docksidebtx.com
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FAME Friday / Día de los Muertos Opening Ceremony
Date: October 2, 2026
Time: 6–8 p.m.
Cost: Free
Location: Bastrop County Museum & Visitor Center, 904 Main Street
Exhibit Dates: October 2–November 2, 2026
Celebrate arts, culture, and community during FAME Friday and the grand opening of the Bastrop County Museum’s Día de los Muertos exhibit. The evening will feature live music, speakers, refreshments, and beautiful ofrendas created by families from across Bastrop County, along with a community ofrenda where visitors can honor loved ones who have passed. The exhibit will remain on display through November 2, and admission is free.
Click HERE for more information!
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Indigenous Peoples Day
Date: October 10, 2026
Time: 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Cost: Free
Location: Bastrop County Museum & Visitor Center, 904 Main St.
Learn more about the Tonkawa people and their connection to the Bastrop region during this family-friendly Indigenous Peoples Day event. Visitors of all ages can explore Tonkawa history, language, and traditions through hands-on activities, artifacts, demonstrations, and other educational experiences. The event offers an opportunity to learn about and reflect on the people whose presence and legacy helped shape the region.
Click HERE for more information!
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State of BISD Luncheon
Date: October 14, 2026
Time: 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Cost: $30
Presented by: Bastrop Chamber of Commerce
Get an inside look at the progress, accomplishments, and future direction of Bastrop Independent School District at the State of BISD Luncheon. District leaders will share updates on student success, current initiatives, facilities, programs, and the plans helping guide Bastrop ISD in the years ahead.
Click HERE for more information!
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Something Wicked This Way Grows
Date: October 23, 2026
Time: 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Location: Bastrop County Museum & Visitor Center, 904 Main St.
Discover the darker side of the plant world during Something Wicked This Way Grows, a spooky 60-minute exploration of nature’s deadliest flora. Bastrop County Master Gardener Kelly will blend botany, history, and a little Halloween fun while exploring carnivorous plants, poisonous species, and the curious stories behind them.
Click HERE for more information!
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Tricks, Treats and Trails
Date: October 24, 2026
Time: 10 a.m.
Cost: $15
Location: McKinney Roughs Nature Park
Get into the Halloween spirit at the third annual Tricks, Treats and Trails at McKinney Roughs Nature Park. Families can enjoy a festive day outdoors collecting goodies along the trick-or-treat trail and joining in Halloween fun, including face painting.
Click HERE for more information!
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Bastrop Boo Bash
Date: October 31, 2026
Time: 2–6 p.m.
Cost: Free
Location: Downtown Bastrop — Main Street, Spring Street & Pine Street
Celebrate Halloween in Downtown Bastrop at the Bastrop Boo Bash! Bring the family downtown for an afternoon of scary, sweet fun along Main, Spring, and Pine streets. This free community celebration is a festive way to spend Halloween in the heart of Bastrop.
Click HERE for more information!
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Marketing Strategies to Sleigh the Holiday Season
Date: September 30, 2026
Time: Noon–1:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Get your business ready for the busiest shopping months of the year with effective holiday marketing strategies. Learn how social media, email campaigns, and early planning can help your business stand out, attract more customers, boost sales, and make the holiday season more manageable.
Click HERE for more information!
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Are You Meant for Self-Employment?
Date: October 1, 2026
Time: Noon–1:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Wondering if self-employment is right for you? Take Jen’s 15-Question Self-Employment Readiness Quiz™ to identify common challenges and fears that may be holding you back. This session will help you better understand what it takes to succeed in self-employment and provide practical guidance for moving forward with confidence.
Click HERE for more information!
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How to Fund Your Business in This Changing Economy
Date: October 7, 2026
Time: Noon–1:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Explore the different options available to fund your new or growing business in today’s changing economy. Kyle DeHaas of FranNet and Wendy Skemer of Benetrends will discuss a variety of funding strategies and help entrepreneurs better understand which options may work for their unique business needs.
Click HERE to learn more!
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GrowSmart™ | Planning & Marketing Foundations
Date: Thursdays, October 8, 15, 22 & 29, 2026
Time: Not provided
Cost: Free
GrowSmart™ is a four-week virtual program for intermediate-to-advanced entrepreneurs ready to strengthen their business direction and marketing strategy. Participants will explore mission and vision, growth strategies, competitive advantage, pricing, and marketing while developing actionable next steps to drive growth. Prerequisite: Participating businesses must demonstrate a minimum annual revenue of $75,000.
Click HERE to learn more!
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Business Owner Compensation: How It Works for Sole Proprietors, Partnerships and Corporations
Date: October 8, 2026
Time: Noon CT (1 p.m. EDT)
Cost: Free
Paying yourself as a business owner involves more than simply transferring money from a business account to a personal one. Learn how compensation methods differ for sole proprietors, partnerships, and corporations, and how choosing the right approach can help avoid unexpected taxes, reporting issues, and costly corrections.
Click HERE for more information!
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Innovation & Entrepreneurship Program
Date: Fridays, October 9, 16, 23 & 30, 2026
Time: 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Turn innovative ideas into viable ventures with this four-part entrepreneurship series. Participants will learn how to develop a compelling value proposition, explore early-stage funding options, protect intellectual property, and create a focused go-to-market strategy. The program is designed for entrepreneurs across industries, from technology and product development to restaurants and retail.
Click HERE for more information!
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Level Up Your Career!
Date: October 15, 2026
Time: 5:30–7 p.m.
Cost: Free
Location: First National Bank, 489 State Hwy 71, Bastrop
Join Bastrop County Cares and Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area for the final session of their professional development series. Make Work in Texas Work for You is designed to help job seekers build confidence, strengthen their professional skills, and discover resources that can help advance their career opportunities.
Click HERE for more information!
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Strategic Value Masters – 2026
Date: October 19, 2026
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Cost: Free
Ready to move your business from reacting to problems to planning for growth? Join moderator Jana Minifie of Minifie LLC and a panel of industry leaders for a high-energy workshop focused on practical strategies to help business owners work smarter, gain clarity, and scale more effectively. Participants will leave with actionable insights they can put to work in their businesses.
Click HERE for more information!
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Contracts Basics
Date: October 27, 2026
Time: 10 a.m.
Cost: Free
Understanding contracts is essential to protecting your business. This webinar will cover the fundamentals of business contracts, including what makes an agreement legally binding, key clauses to watch for, and common pitfalls to avoid. Whether working with employees, vendors, or business partners, participants will gain practical knowledge to confidently review, negotiate, and manage contracts.
Click HERE for more information!
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Pumpkin Power: Big Numbers Behind America’s Favorite Fall Squash
In 2024, America cranked out a whopping 1.44 billion pounds of pumpkins—enough to keep every porch, pie, and fall festival happily stocked. Here in Texas, farmers plant 5,000 to 8,000 acres of pumpkins each year, and West Texas does the heavy lifting, growing about 90% of our orange bounty. That hard work pays off: Texas consistently lands in the top 10 pumpkin‑producing states, bringing in about $2.4 million for growers and boosting the statewide economy by $7.4 million. Nationwide, pumpkin farms pulled in roughly $258 million in 2024. Not bad for everyone’s favorite fall squash!
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