City Considers Tax Break to Draw Security Company

September 12, 2012 5:32 pm by: Brian Baresch

The city of Austin is considering $900,000 in tax breaks for HID Global over 10 years. Photo courtesy flickr.com/amagill

The Austin City Council got some first reactions today to a proposal for incentives to lure a corporate security company to the area.

HID Global says it will bring 276 jobs to Austin and build a new manufacturing and distribution center here.

In return, Austin will give the company about $900,000 in tax rebates over 10 years.

Public testimony today focused on asking the city to make sure the lowest-paying jobs offered by HID Global still provide a living wage of $12 an hour and health insurance coverage for construction workers.

“We ask you to, as you think about this package, that you explore those requirements also,” said Ann Kitchen of Liveable City, a community advocacy group.

The state is also providing about $1.9 million from the Texas Enterprise Fund to help bring HID to Central Texas.

The City Council plans to vote on the incentives on Sept. 27.