ROBERTS: LATEST VALMONT PHASE-IN JUDGED ON OWN MERITS

  

Some questions have arisen over a tax phase-in request granted by the Brenham City Council to Valmont Coatings.

At their meeting Tuesday, the council approved a tax phase-in agreement with Valmont, as they move forward with plans to locate a galvanizing plant in Brenham to serve the local Valmont Structures facility as well as other metal-based businesses in the region.

Valmont officials say the move would help them invest in equipment and jobs to help offset initial costs of locating the expansion project to Brenham.

The city granted a similar phase-in agreement to Valmont last year, which the company later turned down, then in May the complany laid off 160 workers – 40-percent of their workforce.

Brenham City Manager Terry Roberts says this is a separate phase-in and is not connected to last year’s request…

According to Valmont officials, 40 jobs would be added in the first year; 71 by year two; and, 101 jobs by the fifth year of the project.

Roberts says this project is being judged on its own merits…

Officials with the city and with the Brenham Economic Development Foundation say Valmont has not indicated whether laid-off workers will be given priority in regards to the new positions.