INCENTIVES

Gonzales EDC is a Texas type B economic development corporation. In collaboration with local stakeholders, GEDC offers tailored incentives and assistance for expansion and relocation. Gonzales holds a significant place in American History as the “Lexington of Texas” – the site of the first battle of the Texas Revolution and home to the historic “Come and Take It” cannon. History, culture, and opportunity are at this crossroads of major highways and rail lines. Gonzales offers easy access to regional and national markets. This strategic location, with a workforce supported by a local community college campus and newly passed school bond that invests in career and technical education, Gonzales welcomes you to our growing community.

Recognitions:

Economic Excellence
Recognition by Texas Economic Development Council
Accredited Main Street America Community
Top 100 Rural and Community Hospital Award
8 Most Charming River Towns in Texas
11 Best Hikes in Texas by World Atlas
Certified Film Friendly by Texas Film Commission
Texas Independence and Old Spanish Trails

OUR INCENTIVES

BUSINESS RETENTION & ENHANCEMENT INCENTIVE

Examples may include support for existing business growth, expansion and improvements, including bringing a property up to code and/or performing significant interior capital improvements and/or performing significant exterior capital improvements; and, may include skills training and/or certification to support new and/or existing employees.

FAÇADE – EXTERIOR IMPROVEMENT INCENTIVE

Examples may include Signage/ Paint/ Lighting/ Awnings/ Masonry/ Tuckpointing (with special regard for historic preservation).

QUALITY OF LIFE INCENTIVE

Examples are projects to improve a community’s quality of life, which
may include, but is not limited to parks, professional and amateur
sport and athletic facilities, tourism and entertainment facilities, etc. to
enhance the community.

ENTERPRISE/START-UP INCENTIVE

Examples may include new businesses/developments.

NON-PROFIT/ COMMUNITY SERVICES INCENTIVE

Application must meet the following standard: How does this project
provide new and/or expanded business enterprise/development.

To receive an application, submit a letter of intent to apply to:

Please contact the Gonzales Economic Development office with any questions

Phone :
830-263-9327 — Susan Sankey, Executive Director
830-857-4307 — Madelynn Hendershot, Economic Development Coordinator

To be considered for potential funding, a COMPLETE application must be submitted to the GEDC.

Completed applications received by the First DAY of the month will be considered at that month’s board meeting; applications received AFTER the first day of the month will be considered at the board meeting of the following month.

County Programs

The City of Gonzales is located within Gonzales County. County incentive programs fall under two major program types: Chapter 381 incentives and Chapter 312 Tax Abatement.

(1) Chapter 381 Agreements

Authorized under Texas Local Government Code Chapter 381, this incentive allows counties to make loans or grants of public money to promote economic development and stimulate, encourage, and develop business locations and commercial activity within the county. Counties may require that a company create a specified number of jobs, pay a specified wage, or meet a minimum capital investment threshold. All Chapter 381 Agreements must be formalized through an agreement and authorized by the county’s Commissioners Court.

(2) Chapter 312 Tax Abatement

Authorized under Texas Tax Code Chapter 312, this incentive allows local governments to exempt all or part of a the increased tax value of real property and/or tangible personal property for a period not to exceed 10 years. Each taxing district has distinct guidelines and criteria for creating a reinvestment zone and authoring a Chapter 312 Tax Abatement. All Chapter 312 Tax Abatements must be formalized through a Tax Abatement Agreement and approved by the local taxing district.

School District Programs

Schools in Texas typically do not participate with incentives; however, Chapter 313 of the Texas Tax Code is a rare exception. Only projects with at least $100 million in qualifying investment may apply for a Chapter 313 incentive.

University of Houston-Victoria Small Business Development Center

The University of Houston-Victoria Small Business Development Center is part of a nationwide management assistance program serving the small business community. It is a cooperative effort of the U.S. Small Business Administration, private sector, educational community, and federal, state and local governments.

The UHV SBDC provides no-cost, confidential counseling, training and technical assistance to existing and start-up businesses in an 11-county area, Aransas, Bee, Calhoun, DeWitt, Goliad, Gonzales, Karnes, Lavaca, Jackson, Refugio, and Victoria.

The UHV SBDC offers a large range of counseling assistance in areas such as:

Business and marketing planning
Financial analysis
Inventory control
Business research
Loan proposals

In addition to one-on-one counseling, the UHV SBDC offers training and workshop programs for you and your business, in areas such as:

Marketing
Human Resources
Planning
Management
Customer Service
Financial Management

To make an appointment with the UHV-SBDC’s Gonzales County business advisor, please contact the center at 361-485-4485.

For more information visit us at the UHV website, or our Facebook.

Chapter 380 Agreements

In addition to incentives from the GEDC, the City of Gonzales offers incentives to All City incentives must be formalized though an Economic Development Incentive Agreement and approved by the City Council.

Interested?

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