Taylor Tries New Economic Incentives
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In this week’s Austin Business Journal, Vicky Garza reports in Taylor’s unique economic incentive plan. Leaders are essentially giving away land to developers who bring jobs.
Garza writes, “Like most cities, Taylor and its 17,000 residents have experienced slow economic growth in the past few years, and they want to attract more jobs and investment to the area using existing resources. Their answer: a corporate build-on-our-lot program.
Fifteen years ago, the Taylor EDC took ownership of about 90 acres and turned them into the Mustang Creek Industrial Park. It was able to attract a few anchors, such as the Williamson County Equipment Co. and Dynalyst Corp., but has not been able to fill the remaining 61 acres.”
Garza reports that the city really wants to develop its small business base – rather than relying on large employers. It’s a very different plan compared to other local cities.
Garza writes,”Pflugerville, also north of Austin, hopes to lure green companies with a new renewable energy investment zone that would make it easier for the city to approve property tax breaks. In February, the city of Bastrop began marketing free land to companies to boost economic development.”
You can hear Garza’s interview with KUT’s Emily Donahue by clicking the player above.
Podcast: Download (1.8MB)
