WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS APPROVE TAX PHASE-IN FOR SILVER CRAYON PROJECT
Washington County Commissioners took further steps to potentially bring a large economic development project to the area at their meeting today (Tuesday).
Following a public hearing with no comments, the court approved the creation of a tax reinvestment zone for commercial tax phase-in for Corrosion Resistant Alloys, LP. The tax phase-in applies to 173.1 acres of land at 4300 Highway 290 East, just outside of Brenham city limits.
Brenham Economic Development Director Susan Cates explained that the public hearing was one of several items required in the process of potentially bringing the project, referred to thus far as “Silver Crayon,” to the county. She said the project is still competitive at this point, but could be a large economic driver for the county.
According to the website of Corrosion Resistant Alloys, LP, the company is a manufacturer of high grade corrosion resistant alloy tubes, with a primary market in the upstream oil and gas industry. The company has a global headquarters in Houston.
The reinvestment zone approved by commissioners expires in five years, unless further action is taken by the court.
The project was previously approved for $675,000 in Texas Capital Fund grant funding for the extension of a gas line to the property the business has selected. That property is now officially under contract. The company is also nearing approval with the Texas Enterprise Fund, an economic development incentive within the Office of the Governor.
Washington County is the lone finalist in Texas out of three other communities, and remains in competition with a site in Louisiana.
Also in court Tuesday, commissioners:
- Held public hearings on and approved the records archive plans of the district and county clerks for the 2021 Fiscal Year. No one spoke during the public hearings.
- Heard quarterly reports for economic development and tourism.
- Approved the 2021 county holiday schedule.
- Proclaimed November 10, 2020 as Election Hero Day in the county.
Did the politicians and economic development gurus visit the existing plant to see if the chemicals used for metal treatment is safe for the environment ? We do not need contamination in the water table. Just look at Flynt Michigan ! We don’t need Brenham to smell like Somerville. Doesn’t sound good to me.