WASHINGTON CO. NEARING COMPLETION WITH PROJECT SILVER CRAYON
Washington County is getting closer to securing a large oil and gas economic development project for the area.
After creating a tax reinvestment zone for Corrosion Resistant Alloys, LP at their meeting November 10th, Washington County Commissioners at their meeting this (Tuesday) morning approved an agreement for development and tax phase-in for the company.
Matt Pond, Chief Financial Officer for Corrosion Resistant Alloys, said the company is looking to build a tubular processing facility on 173.1 acres of land at 4300 Highway 290 East, just outside of Brenham city limits. He said if everything goes as planned, the company, headquartered in Houston, will close on the property at the beginning of the new year, and anticipates breaking ground in April.
Brenham Economic Development Director Susan Cates said the company intends to develop 40 to 50 of the 173 acres on the property for the project, referred to previously as “Silver Crayon.” The remainder will be used as an amenity for employees and visitors to the company. She said the company is looking to “embrace the Washington County lifestyle.”
The estimated value of eligible property improvements for tax phase-in incentives is at least $40 million. Cates said the county’s tax phase-in policy sets a benchmark of at least ten jobs at an average salary of $36,000 or higher, but the company plans to create 40 jobs with average salaries of $72,000 in the first phase of the project.
The Brenham Economic Development Foundation (EDF) provided a letter to the court showing their support for the project. Blake Brannon, chair-elect of the Brenham EDF, said this project should prove to be a great addition to the community.
Cates said an environmental survey is currently underway, and must be completed prior to the company closing on the land. The survey is required for the Texas Capital Fund grant that will extend a gas line from the City of Brenham to serve the property. She stressed that the project is not finalized until all associated components have been approved.
Also in court Tuesday, commissioners:
- Approved a 2019-20 Fiscal Year budget amendment to the Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) fund. This budget amendment allocates $55,647 to the City of Brenham, $20,000 of which will be awarded to Washington on the Brazos for the 2021 Independence Day Celebration campaign. Meanwhile, $35,647 will be awarded for a Washington County Tourism Recovery Campaign, as previously approved by the HOT Board. No additional HOT funds need to be disbursed by the county, as the $55,647 is already in the city’s restricted cash balance.
- Approved advertising for sealed bids for the Washington County EMS hangar facility internal construction completion. The deadline to submit bids is December 21st at 3 p.m., and bids will be reviewed December 22nd during Commissioners Court.
- Presented services awards to county employees with five years of service.
- Accepted the resignation of John Barton, current board chairman of the Washington County Historical Commission, as of December 31st. Commissioners appointed Tom Stevens as board chair for Barton’s 2021-22 term.
- Approved of a letter agreement from Rutledge Crain and Company, PC to provide auditing services to the county for the year ending December 31, 2020.
- Reallocated $57,245 of existing IT machinery and equipment funds for the purchase of disaster recovery software and equipment.
- Approved an order affecting representation of indigent defendants in county court, along with the approval of contracts with four attorneys to represent indigent defendants in district court.
- Approved formal notice of utility installation for a 12-inch natural gas pipeline by AMP Texas Pipeline, LLC for Old Mill Creek Road, Adamek Road, Indian Creek Road, and Happy Hollow Road in Precinct Four.
- Approved formal notice of utility installation for a 12-inch natural gas pipeline by AMP Texas Pipeline, LLC for Helm Road in Precinct Three.
- Received a monthly report from Washington County Fairgrounds management.