WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS REDESIGNATE REINVESTMENT ZONE FOR ALLOY MANUFACTURER

  

Washington County Commissioners agreed on Tuesday to redesignate a reinvestment zone for commercial tax phase-in ahead of a manufacturing company’s start-up in Brenham.

The reinvestment zone covers over 173 acres at 4300 Highway 290 East for Corrosion Resistant Alloys (CRA), a manufacturer of corrosion-resistant alloy tubes in the oil and gas industry.  The zone was originally approved in 2020, but the project was affected by COVID delays.  The company broke ground at the site in 2022. 

Brenham Washington County Economic Development Director Teresa Rosales said the redesignation is needed since CRA had not yet accepted the tax abatement, because of the slower start.  She said the company does plan to apply for its first-year abatement before the deadline of April 30, 2026, and by then, the company will be up and running.

Commissioner Candice Bullock said the project to bring CRA to Washington County is part of the county’s goal to attract more manufacturing industry.

CRA Chief Operating Officer Justin Boone said the Brenham facility contains part of the company’s pipe distribution that it handles for a global supply base.  CRA’s corporate headquarters are located in Houston, and the company also has a location in Ohio, but Boone said the company’s long-term plan is to relocate its mill in Ohio to the Brenham site. 

Also at Tuesday’s meeting, the court:

• Appointed Doug Smith to the Washington County Historical Commission for the remainder of the 2025-26 term.
• Authorized the county auditor to advertise and solicit sealed proposals for Washington County lawn services in accordance with applicable county purchasing requirements.
• Authorized the county auditor to advertise and solicit sealed bids for a Washington County Ford F-450 ambulance chassis in accordance with applicable county purchasing requirements.
• Renewed the annual bond for County Engineer Wesley Stolz.
• Approved a contract for representation of indigent defendants for district court.  The contract is with attorneys Lee V. Richardson, Jerry Gribble II, Aaron Kleinschmidt, Wesley Keng and Scott Ballard.
• Discussed formal notices from Industry Communications for new service line installations across the county right-of-way of Sandtown Road, Winedale Road and Bascome Lane in Precinct 4.  No action was needed.