Commissioners act on business incentives, Homeland Security Grant
Posted On: Thursday, Oct. 29 2009 07:38 AM
By Alicia Lacy
The Cove HeraldGATESVILLE — With the down economy, rising unemployment and business closures, counties and cities are having difficulty attracting business and industry.
The Coryell County Commissioners Court approved a resolution Monday to make known that it wants industry in the county through the incentive of tax abatement for the purpose of economic development.
County Judge John Firth said he was told by residents of the county that there are 74 vacant commercial properties in Copperas Cove.
"(The city of) Copperas Cove is considering new options to encourage new industry," Firth said. "We want to make the intent known to have industry come to Coryell County."
Recent legislation extended the Property Redevelopment and Tax Abatement Act until Sept. 2019, which authorizes counties and cities to approve new tax abatement agreements.
The chapter in the tax code would have expired on Sept. 1, relinquishing any authority of cities and counties to
Gatesville City Manager Roger Mumby said Gatesville has tax abatement guidelines in place, but "no one has taken advantage of it."
Monday night at Copperas Cove's City Council meeting, the council approved new tax abatement guidelines.
While Firth wants economic growth in the county, he said he does not want new businesses that will harm current businesses.
In other business, the court approved the acceptance of the 2009 Homeland Security Grant for $90,374.05, discussed the installation of temperature controls in county buildings to reduce energy costs and approved technology and record preservation fees for the
52nd District Court.
Contact Alicia Lacy at
alacy@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7476.