Economic Development

In our increasingly competitive economic environment, many local governments and political subdivisions are called upon to promote local economic development through the use of tax abatement. Many localities have sparked development utilizing Chapter 313 of the Texas Tax Code. The Texas Economic Development Act commonly referred to under the moniker of H.B. 1200. The stated purpose of Chapter 313 is to encourage large-scale capital investments in the state, to create new, high-paying jobs in the state, to attract new large-scale businesses to the state, to enable local government officials and economic development professionals to compete with other states, and to enhance the state’s economic development efforts by providing school districts with the opportunity to participate by granting property value limitations.
Successful economic development agreements must include careful consideration for revenue protection for the participating governmental entity from unforeseen tax consequences. This requires a through and detailed understanding of the provisions of both the property tax code and the required elements of governmental finance. This protects localities from possible losses from granting tax limitations, and ensures the highest degree of mutual benefit for both the businesses and governmental entities involved. Our firm has negotiated many such agreements involving companies such as Toyota, Exxon Mobile, Texas Instruments, Samsung Electronics, and Chevron Texaco and over 20 alternative wind power companies. O’Hanlon, Demerath & Castillo assists in creating special reinvestment zones for intensive economic development and has experience developing agreements that protect valuable public resources. Whether you are a School District or Business, we have the capacity to provide turn-key solutions for your tax abatement agreement needs.