COUNCIL TO CONSIDER NOMINATING BLUE BELL FOR ENTERPRISE ZONE PROGRAM

  

The Brenham City Council has called a special meeting for Friday afternoon.  On the agenda for the meeting, the council will consider nominating Blue Bell Creameries to the Texas Enterprise Zone Program.  The program is administered by the Office of the Governor, Economic Development and Tourism Division.  It allows communities to nominate companies to be eligible to receive a refund of state sales and use taxes based on their capital investments and job creation or retention.  The program is designed to encourage private investment and job creation in economically distressed areas.

Also on Friday’s agenda, council will again consider a resolution opposing the Bluebonnet Haven Residential Facility.  The resolution was on last Thursday’s council agenda, but no vote was taken on it due to the lack of a quorum after Councilmember Danny Goss recued himself because his company served as a contractor on the project.  The Bluebonnet Haven Facility is currently under construction on Highway 36 South, just outside the city limits.  The Brenham School Board passed a resolution opposing the facility in April citing its impact on the special education student percentage in the district and the lack of resources needed to educate them.  The County Commissioners passed a resolution opposing the facility at their May 1st meeting.

The Brenham City Council meets Friday afternoon at 2:00 on the second floor of City Hall.

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8 Comments

  1. I for one am very proud of bluebell for being considered for nomination this is a great honor for bluebell and our town there are a lot of people who think that the rich get richer and bluebell doesn’t deserve this.There are many families that depend on bluebell for their livelihood. There are many vendors that they purchase materials from, think about all the tourist that come to Brenham just to see the creamery, the founders of bluebell were not always rich they had to struggle to get where they are today envy them don’t hate them

  2. This is a return of tax dollars to the local community to be used for business expansion and a win/win for our community. Along with Blue Bell, other area businesses will grow as the local economy expands. The money is already set aside to go somewhere and I hope it comes to Brenham. With anticipated expansion, Blue Bell will provide more and varied employment opportunities to many. If nominated by the city, I hope the Governor’s Office approves. Hopefully, more area businesses will qualify and be nominated.

  3. Just look at how much they pay taxes on some of their buildings… It is ridiculous that some homes are paying more and some of their own buildings. They don’t need a tax break. The people in the county and City need a tax break

  4. bluebell has given many if not all of their employees raises and all the things that bluebell does for our city and county are more than likely tax write offs but I haven’t seen any other large companies doing anything for BRENHAM tax write off or not,Bluebell has been a part of this city for over 100 years I say job well done and keep making ice cream and memories THANK YOU

  5. Maybe they can use some of their savings to pay their employees a livable wage. With property taxes and cost of living in Brenham continually on the rise, it would be nice to see Blue Bell start increasing their employees wages.

  6. Seriously? Bluebell needs a tax break? They already submit their own appraisal for property taxes like all other local business. Don’t want to hear about their community donations either. The Aquatic Center is a money hole for taxpayers, the land donation fir park was a tax write off against income. They don’t have the number of employees they once did, private shareholders are suing. Vote them out if the agree to this farce.

    1. I am in no way connected to Blue Bell (other than being a satisfied customer) but let’s consider the above comment with some balance.
      Blue Bell and it’s owners have been VERY good to our community. You mention the Aquatic Center but you must realize that no one at Blue Bell sat around and decided we need a new swimming hole, it was local citizens and government who said they wanted it and Blue Bell agreed to generously give toward the cost of building it. Because of that, our local schools can now offer competitive swimming to our students, people needing aquatic therapy have a place to go, and it continues to be a part of our community hosting events, birthday parties, and daily exercise for many people. We asked for that and Blue Bell said yes.
      Now let us think about the Kruse Field House at the high school that was badly needed, that would never have happened without Blue Bell, look at the beautiful new fitness center at Blinn, again Blue Bell stepped up and gave. They support the annual fun run that allow helps our local schools athletic programs. The list of organizations and causes they support in this area and other areas is simply to numerous to name, but I see business owners who do a GREAT job giving back to their community.
      Blue Bell is one of the largest employers in the area, they offer good benefits, they pay well (and I do mean a living wage which may not be the $15 an hour minimum wage many in fake news claim must happen) despite what some may say (yes their entry level wage is lower, but so are all companies, hang around and work your way up). I have known and watched Blue Bell for many years and believe it is a good for our community and good for our people. With regard to the tax break, I think private business will spend the money better and more efficiently than any government entity and so I am all in favor of companies be eligible for enterprise zone like this.

  7. Why does it never appear on the agenda as to what the city manager and mayor did with the Fireman’s Park contractor issue with the bonding company?

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