CITY OF TEXAS CITY
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGY AND OPPORTUNITIES

BACKGROUND

In the late 1980s, the City of Texas City realized the necessity to diversify and stimulate its economy and began to aggressively develop an economic development strategy. The strategy contemplated having a versatile inventory of integrated economic development vehicles available to exploit the City's numerous assets and accommodate any economic development project requirement. Accordingly, several local government corporations, that have specific economic development missions and resources, have been created to interact, share resources and collectively pursue economic development projects. Other vehicles have also been implemented to provide a holistic approach to economic development within the City. The strategy is working and the City is proactively achieving its goals.

DIVERSIFIED ECONOMY

Texas City is fortunate to have a diversified economy. Heavy industry is the largest and was, since the 1900's, the City's only economic engine until the City's economic development strategists realized the City's vulnerability and began diversifying the economy. Now, the City's economy is driven by several industries including residential, commercial, retail, marine, entertainment and environmental developments, higher education, tourism, health care, sports, transportation, birding, fishing, boating and restaurants. This diversification evolved from the City's economic development strategists who created the numerous economic development vehicles that are available to accommodate the requirements of economic development projects.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT VEHICLES

Texas City 's economic development vehicles include but are not limited to the following:

1. Texas City Economic Development Corporation was created to stimulate economic development in Texas City and is funded by a half cent sales tax and rental property.
2. Texas City Harbour FTZ Corporation was created to provide foreign trade zone status for imported products and is funded by operator fees and rental property.
3. Texas City Industrial Development Corporation was created to facilitate industrial development and is funded by service fees.
4. Public Facilities Development Corporation was created to facilitate the development of public facilities and is funded by rental property.
5. Danforth Health Facilities Corporation was created to facilitate the development of health facilities and is funded by service fees.
6. Texas City Harbour Authority was created to facilitate the development of the Texas City Harbour and is funded by service fees.
7. Texas City Special District Policies were created to provide financial assistance to commercial and residential developments.
8. Texas City Cultural Arts Foundation was created to promote and cultivate fine arts in Texas City and to stimulate opportunities for professional artists and entertainers.
9. Texas City Tax Abatement Guidelines were created to provide tax abatements to qualified economic development projects.
10. Public/private partnerships have been created to achieve specific economic development objectives and are utilized when appropriate.
11. Inter local agreements have been created to achieve specific economic development objectives that require cooperation between local governments and are utilized when appropriate.
12. City services and infrastructure are utilized to facilitate qualified economic development projects.
13. City assistance is available to facilitate communications with governmental agencies and elected officials for state and federal permits, grants and political support.

Any one or a combination of these vehicles or, if necessary, a new vehicle may be utilized to attract, facilitate or promote economic development projects in Texas City . The City is very proactive, creative and business friendly and enthusiastically welcomes opportunities to assist investors achieve economic development endeavors in Texas City , regardless of how large or small. The City also takes pride in assisting and ensuring that existing enterprises remain and flourish in Texas City and invites interested investors to contact the City.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSETS

1. Deepwater access and port.
2. Two class 1 railroads.
3. One federal and three state highways.
4. Within minutes of three major commercial airports.
5. International marine container terminal and intermodal yard.
6. Local community college and within minutes of three major universities.
7. Three quality public school districts and numerous private schools.
8. Major medical center and within minutes of a medical university.
9. Tourist attractions including museum, historical sites, festivals, beaches, birding, fishing, boating and golfing.
10. Convention center.
11. Large inventory of undeveloped land for residential, commercial and industrial development under a master land use plan which is regulated by a zoning ordinance.
12. Several new quality housing options including master planned waterfront communities.
13. Major retail centers, restaurants and hotels.
14. Within minutes of the amenities of Houston and Galveston Island .
15. Large employable work force, union and non union.
16. Major financial institutions.

OPPORTUNITES FOR INVESTORS

1. Several large vacant buildings are available on very attractive terms including custom renovation for retail, light manufacturing, entertainment, back office, call center, storage, distribution, assembly or other operations.
2. Several large tracts of undeveloped land are available for retail, hotels, restaurants, tourist attractions and resorts, office buildings, warehousing, truck stop, major distribution centers, light industrial, commercial, residential, RV park, entertainment, recreation or other developments.
3. Forty feet deep ship channel and port that will soon be forty five feet deep.
4. Foreign trade zone, general purpose or subzone, is available.

For more information, please contact:
Doug Hoover
(409) 643-5927

© 2004 City of Texas City -- An All-America City. All Rights Reserved.
1801 9th Avenue North | P.O. Box 2608 | Texas City, Texas 77592-2608 |  (409) 948-3111
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Last updated:  February 26, 2007