Chapter 380 of the Local Government Code authorizes municipalities to offer incentives designed to promote economic development for commercial and retail projects. The City of Brenham will consider offering grants based on the added value to the tax base created by a catalyst project.
Municipality Agreements
Chapter 380 of the Local Government Code authorizes municipalities to offer incentives designed to promote economic development such as commercial and retail projects. Specifically, it provides for offering loans and grants of city funds or services at little or no cost to promote state and local economic development and to stimulate business and commercial activity.
In order to provide a grant or loan, a city must establish a program to implement the incentives. Before proceeding, cities must review their city charters or local policies that may restrict a city's ability provide a load or grant.
County Agreements
Chapter 381 of the Local Government Code allows counties to provide incentives encouraging developers to build in their jurisdictions. A county may administer and develop a program to make loans and grants of public money to promote state or local economic development and to stimulate, encourage and develop business location and commercial activity in the county.
The county also may develop and administer a program for entering into a tax abatement agreement. This tool allows counties to negotiate directly with developers and businesses.
Chapter 380 & 381 Reporting
Pursuant to Texas Local Government Code sections 380.004(c) and 381.005(c), Brenham | Washington County EDO reports all local Chapter 380 and Chapter 381 agreements to the Texas Comptroller's database. This database is accessible to the public and searchable for all such agreements throughout the State. The public may access the database by clicking the link here.