The Frontier Times Museum has responded to a recent Bandera Bulletin article concerning the Bandera Economic Development Corp.’s handling of a $28,135 funding request tied to the museum’s planned expansion project.
In a written statement, museum officials disputed portions of the Bulletin’s article, “EDC reviews museum funding process, names new officers,” published May 6.
The original article reported comments made during an April 21 EDC public hearing by former board member Laura Devenport, who questioned whether required procedures had been followed before the funding request was approved in December 2025.
During the hearing, Devenport said she supported the museum and had previously voted in favor of museum funding requests while serving on the EDC board, but raised concerns regarding public hearings, performance agreements and the timeline of the approval process.
“I am not opposed to giving The Frontier Times Museum funding,” Devenport stated in a written letter read during the hearing. “I am opposed to the required by state law procedures not being followed.”
Devenport’s letter stated the museum’s funding application, dated Aug. 14, 2025, should have appeared on a September agenda and questioned whether procedures tied to Type B economic development expenditures exceeding $10,000 had been completed before a check was issued in December 2025.
The museum’s response stated representatives attended the Sept. 16, 2025 EDC meeting, where the request first appeared on the agenda, and were present to answer questions regarding the proposal.
According to the museum’s statement, the request involved electrical upgrades by Bandera Electric Cooperative connected to a proposed museum expansion. The museum said its application included supporting documents and a project bid.
The museum also stated representatives were present during the Dec. 2, 2025 EDC meeting when the funding request was approved.
“The article erroneously implied the museum did not follow proper procedures in submitting a funding request to the EDC,” the museum’s statement said.
The museum stated the EDC issued a check in December 2025 and that the funds were placed into a restricted account designated for the electrical project.
According to the statement, the EDC later requested the funds be returned after determining required procedures had not been completed. The museum stated the funds were returned Jan. 27, 2026.
The original article reported the previous EDC board requested the return of the check pending completion of required procedures, including public hearings.
The museum’s response stated staff members were later informed the funding request would move forward to the Bandera City Council for approval and began monitoring city council agendas to ensure representation at future meetings.
Museum officials stated they were not aware the item appeared on the EDC’s April 21 agenda and therefore did not attend that meeting.
Executive Director Rebecca Norton said in the statement the museum understood why the funding request was not advanced to the city council because required hearings had not been completed.
“We completely understood why our funding request was not brought forward to the city council for final approval, since the application had not gone through the required two public hearings,” Norton said. “The EDC has been a great partner to the museum, providing financial support over the years through marketing funds for museum events and support for our upcoming expansion project.”
Norton also stated the museum plans to resubmit the application with updated information.
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