Permitting and Municipal Incentives

The Economic Alliance is funded by the cities and communities (listed on the right) to help your company locate in our region.  This means we help you, at no charge, easily navigate through incentive processes such as tax abatements and more.  Permitting information is available on the city websites that are linked on our community pages.

County Incentives - Harris County, Texas

Our communities are located in Harris County which manages the incentive process through its Community Services Department.  This department was created and is funded by the Harris County Commissioner's court to help create the vibrant economic environment which we can offer your company. Harris County is led by these key elected officials: 

• Judge Ed Emmett

• Precinct 2 Commissioner Sylvia R. Garcia (our region's precinct)

• Precinct 1 Commissioner El Franco Lee

• Precinct 3 Commissioner Steve Radack

• Precinct 4 Commissioner Jerry Eversole

Tax abatements will be considered by Harris County - an applicant's proposed new project (as of February 2006) must meet all three of the following:

• Increase tax roll value of new real property by at least $1,000,000.

• Create at least 25 new full-time permanent positions at the project site.

• Be competitively sited.  In other words, senior management is actively evaluating jurisdictions, in addition to Harris County, and, but for tax abatement, the project  would not be constructed in Harris County. 

The Economic Alliance is funded by Harris County to help your company through the tax abatement process at no charge.  We encourage you to call our office at 281.867.1112 to assist you with the Harris County Tax Abatement Application to save you time and resources.

State Incentives

Texas is the place to do business! Our state has soared to all-time highs with a business climate ranked the best in America, we are the number one exporting state in the country. In 2004, Texas landed more job expansions and relocations than any other state

Many programs are in place to help you do business in Texas.  The Economic Alliance can assist you in reviewing your eligibility for any of the incentives listed below:   

Ad Valorem/Property Tax Exemption
Chapter 380
Economic Development& Diversification In-State Tuition for Employees
Emerging Technology Program
Franchise Tax Credits for Economic Development
Skills Development Fund
Self-Sufficiency Fund
Permit Assistance
Property Tax Rule 9.105
Rural Municipal Finance Program
Sales and Use Tax Exemptions
Texas Leverage Fund
Texas Economic Development Act
Texas Enterprise Zone Program
Texas Capital Fund Infrastructure Program
Texas Capital Fund Real Estate Development Program  

Texas Enterprise Fund

Texas Governor Rick Perry has reorganized economic development approaches, including creating the Governor's Office of Economic Development and Tourism. Numerous initiatives have evolved under Governor Perry's and the Texas Legislature's leadership including the $295 million Enterprise Fund and Texas Economic Development Bank. Additional information is available from the:

• Office of the Governor Economic Development & Tourism
  Domestic Expansion and Recruitment
  P.O. Box 12728
  Austin, Texas 78711
  (512) 936-0069
  Fax: (512) 936-0080

Texas Emerging Technology Fund

In June 2005, Governor Rick Perry signed House Bill 1765, creating the $200 million Texas Emerging Technology Fund (TETF).

Individuals and companies focusing on emerging technology and that are located within the Gulf Coast region may wish to learn more about this new state incentive program. This fund offers Commercialization Grants that can be a valuable resource for emerging technology companies.

Applicants for commercialization grants are required to obtain a Qualifying Letter from an economic development organization to submit  with their application.  The Economic Alliance is able to provide Qualifying Letters  and will consult with your company (at no charge) regarding your eligibility.