Marble Falls to offer job creation incentives for upscale dental offices
New dental offices on 12th Street are likely getting around $98,000 in job creation incentives from the city of Marble Falls. Staff photo by Dakota Morrissiey
A $4.8 million dental office development likely will get significant job creation incentives from the Marble Falls Economic Development Corp. The project is expected to bring in and maintain dozens of stable, high-paying jobs, something the EDC can sink its teeth into.
A job performance agreement set for a vote by the Marble Falls City Council on Sept. 16 would see local development group Heritage Oaks Holdings receive funding for each job created and maintained by the dental offices in the next three years, up to a total of $98,000.
The offices, currently under construction at 411 12th St., are about a year-and-a-half in the making and expected to open in early 2026.
According to Heritage Oaks Holdings founder Ross Johnson, the two, 5,000-square-foot buildings will serve as the new home for Main Street Dental, which is rebranding itself as Heritage Oaks Dental, and another location for oral surgeon Dr. Jeff Alford. Combined, the office buildings should have 40 total jobs between them once they are up and running.
“This isn’t a big group out of Dallas. These are people who are living here and raising their families in the community,” Johnson told DailyTrib.com.
The rebrand of Main Street Dental and the name of the office space is an homage to the large oak trees that dot Marble Falls, like the one on Old Oak Square in the city’s downtown. The oaks on and surrounding the construction site were preserved.
Johnson explained that the Main Street Dental practice was growing and wanting to leave its 308 Main St. location, potentially out of town. The practice and Heritage Oaks Holdings found a solution, settling on new construction and an expanded vision of more office space for other providers. Johnson’s wife, Dr. Janelle Johnson, is one of the primary doctors with Main Street.
“We would have lost a hell of a service in the community,” Ross Johnson said.
Main Street Dental alone serves around 3,800 patients and supports a staff of about 12, which is expected to grow to around 20 once the rebrand and move take place.
The Marble Falls EDC approved the $98,000 performance agreement on Aug. 6, and a first reading of the deal was heard by the City Council on Sept. 2.
According to EDC Executive Director Christian Fletcher, the deal came about when developers saw unexpected cost overruns that could have jeopardized the project. After months of negotiations, the EDC agreed to the performance agreement to the benefit of both parties.
“As far as the justification goes, we like healthcare sector jobs,” Fletcher said. “They’re good, stable, well-paying jobs. Healthcare and wellness are target industries for the EDC.”
The Marble Falls EDC uses its budget to facilitate economic growth in the city, which includes job creation.
While the funds for the deal would come from the half-cent sales tax collected by the EDC, it requires council approval before moving forward because the expense is over $10,000. Learn more about how the EDC works under its bylaws, available online.
Just hope the new Dental Practice will accept Delta Dental Insurance. Most State of Texas retirees use it.