[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6180842,"mediaKeyId","5116422-ffbb628f7aff106a18db4ef81b848fdb","parentId",5116422,"title","Economic development director reports Imperial property closing, Great Homes results and new hires","audioSeconds",434,"startMs",2255000,"endMs",2689000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5116422-ffbb628f7aff106a18db4ef81b848fdb&start=2255&end=2689","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5116422-ffbb628f7aff106a18db4ef81b848fdb/thumbnail_2255000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6180842/Sugar-Land/Fort-Bend-County/Texas/Economic-development-director-reports-Imperial-property-closing-Great-Homes-results-and-new-hires","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6180842-e488feda07834eec332150cabda0cb34/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157730&Signature=TL2f7lRHgvNCE2Vun-JOVZ~kF771szJXyUkPirRHm15LpFEuASHwE6b4ZXaZ1A3b1wmBXVUceHBDzIl4F6FSdAa2x5S6gaSKqnBdMExcDpgpzLcr3x4lBcMyBSws95inXu7aJBj6cK1IlEn4gRz2l-ZFpyMObJWzzhSMqDqT~sszZcYQphJCNSXXo19kavvjJKV15qYG8lbHfasYtIuAXK-R8zkmU-Q0uve0Gw-b3sHz9gGU4XyHh1ciupWwieYiXwnaLcDqrql~ECvIC8jDHhTVnvKF87GUMDm~szm-~1CCOM0pCVAmSimxg74JiPRfwA9rqgIgd1f388ObWTjk6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Sugar Land TX","date","2025-07-02T09:53:18Z","article","Elizabeth Hupp, Director of Economic Development for the City of Sugar Land, delivered the director’s report at the July 1 meeting with updates on redevelopment, programs and new personnel; the report was for information and did not require board action.

Hupp highlighted recent redevelopment milestones: staff closed on the Denani portion of the Imperial property in May and closed on the remaining portion, including the Char House, on June 18. Devin Rodriguez, director in redevelopment, provided additional background at the meeting explaining that earlier infrastructure advances around Constellation Fields were repaid via an Imperial Redevelopment District/TERs bond once valuation thresholds were met.

Hupp summarized the Great Homes rebate program as closed and reported results: “there are 326 projects, about $5,830,000 in home improvements, and $850,000 in reimbursements since the program launched 3 years ago,” she said. She noted the average reimbursement was about $2,600 and that resident investment in home improvements has increased year over year.

Staff introduced a new hire: Colby Milbrook joined as business recruitment manager after coming from Texas A&M, and staff highlighted a set of recent outreach and marketing activities including a new Visit Sugar Land website, conference attendance (SelectUSA, BIO International, ULI) and community engagement events such as the coffee cart deployment at local festivals. Hupp said staff would circulate project webpages and newsletters for Imperial and other redevelopment items.

These director remarks were informational; staff asked the board to send any follow‑up questions by email and noted the board will receive project updates and milestones through staff communications and future meetings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Sugar Land: Sugar Land Development Corporation Meeting - July 1, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Director of Economic Development Elizabeth Hupp updated the Sugar Land Development Corporation on staff activity including the Imperial property closings, the completed Great Homes program results, new staff and marketing initiatives.","taxTitle","Sugar Land, Fort Bend County, Texas","taxId",2793,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6180847,"SLDC reviews proposed FY2026 budget; board hears debt, transfers and reserves plan",439,632000,1071000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5116422-ffbb628f7aff106a18db4ef81b848fdb&start=632&end=1071","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5116422-ffbb628f7aff106a18db4ef81b848fdb/thumbnail_632000.jpg","/articles/6180847/Sugar-Land/Fort-Bend-County/Texas/SLDC-reviews-proposed-FY2026-budget-board-hears-debt-transfers-and-reserves-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6180847-93c33771b2a43acadd5985a9a9949b9c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157730&Signature=Q2XJeuvdZZkeAug~1-MpC6Z0D6Hc3Zim2fO60wgSjCyntYDQjw-tWdURf-iDB4Tpu4SPpBtvTWJz0rIvEsy1xUV-Q9pi1UU5N0ZVgPW0O8xybWqpZtHe26nFBFcEYfPxzGuyUYddQUNU9NTBMl38OWw8-5dCG0HdCgHhwlgA4sIYtXDSJ8MH0BcEmpQtTELMy7NBSLDmBCju1xDsWFFrRMw14qrfTsrEoNkoxEd96pLYBz-Px9pVHy~Rzk6k7EBITsY6RGDNMUx~yt46F5qHZrB~pTnsWrjm9nntc6QGBfjJvfevz0RIcVp25RNqxFssmGxf8ueJYk2rvmKv8943zg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sugar Land Development Corporation held a budget workshop July 1 to review proposed fiscal year 2026 revenues and expenditures, projected debt service obligations and planned capital projects; no final budget action was taken at the workshop.

The review matters because staff presented a multi‑year funding plan that reallocates revenue to higher debt service and specific capital projects while retaining policy minimum fund balances. Justin Maybellado, Assistant Director of Budget, told the board revenue for FY2026 is projected at $9,600,000 in sales tax, with a combined estimated $1,300,000 in additional revenue for the current fiscal year when stronger sales tax performance and investment income are tallied.

Key FY2026 highlights presented by staff included a proposed program/operating budget of $1,200,000; $4,100,000 budgeted for incentives (which includes year two of a previously approved Plug and Play agreement estimated at $1,500,000); a $1,000,000 reserve for opportunities; and $2,300,000 in scheduled capital improvement projects (CIP) including $300,000 for major roadway landscape improvements and $2,000,000 for major street rehabilitation. Maybellado said the sales tax forecast uses regional CPI growth of 3.71% for projections and that the beginning available fund balance is approximately $24,600,000.

Staff also discussed changes in transfers: the proposed FY2026 budget includes a transfer to the city general fund of $1,620,000 to reimburse salaries, benefits and cost allocation; and a transfer to the city’s debt service fund of $3,200,000, which staff said reflects SLDC’s share of recent certificate of obligation debt issued to purchase the Imperial property and ongoing debt obligations tied to the Smart Financial Center. Maybellado explained the higher debt service reduces the reserve available for opportunity funding in the near term but said the board can amend the budget if sales tax performance exceeds forecasts.

Board members asked for additional detail on outstanding debt, interest rates and the timing and sources of revenues used to repay certificates of obligation. Maybellado said he would provide a detailed debt schedule after the meeting. He outlined the near‑term calendar: the SLDC budget will be filed with the city council package on July 15, the board will review FY2025 projections and proposed amendments on Aug. 5, the full city budget workshops will be held in August with SLDC program review on Aug. 28, and final city budget adoption is scheduled for Sept. 15.

The workshop included discussion of implementation and monitoring practices: staff noted the budget assumes certain committed incentives remain payable and that any new incentives will be presented to the board in future budget amendments. No formal vote was taken on the FY2026 proposal at this meeting; staff will return with updates and supporting schedules for formal action later in the summer.","At a July 1 workshop the Sugar Land Development Corporation reviewed a proposed FY2026 budget that projects $9.6 million in sales tax revenue, shifts $3.2 million to debt service, reduces the reserve for opportunities to $1 million and budgets $4.1 million for incentives including ongoing agreements.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6180852,"Sugar Land Development Corporation approves $2 million incentive agreement with Applied Optoelectronics",194,301000,495000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5116422-ffbb628f7aff106a18db4ef81b848fdb&start=301&end=495","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5116422-ffbb628f7aff106a18db4ef81b848fdb/thumbnail_301000.jpg","/articles/6180852/Sugar-Land/Fort-Bend-County/Texas/Sugar-Land-Development-Corporation-approves-2-million-incentive-agreement-with-Applied-Optoelectronics","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6180852-a703335972ec3dec7abaccf8bf6e7097/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157730&Signature=QxRcHt40deSh77aaHpDsNnM0DqkjSEArilTMEsCOtNmnLQ5zWuaFdRgiUdHrgFkwqdpInyixyDKqvnpPvhxzBxIhPTQIE5G4y-JD~09VePoDJiCwBZQmZ1m0n4AQEPqzOLB~dxbyXag7pCZL3qt556d6cl2ei8ivDzLz1xX20zersnEr6mKCbC-FWyvYlM76D~NWsdS0NhP3qLPT45hATAit6BbS0zM8kAjKljv1cZDDh5IC7ZqkrLXCeK2MekPD3wkt9jzZDys6zKZg94aaKJdItASPyMkG7jxUSFEHB~ML02D0~7XxangtldIGvLut1aG-QgGLASMF-On3LfdylQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sugar Land Development Corporation unanimously approved a 10-year redevelopment performance agreement with Applied Optoelectronics Inc. that commits $2,000,000 in Type A incentive funding, to be paid as $200,000 annually if the company meets the contract requirements.

The agreement matters because it is intended to support AOI’s effort to onshore advanced optical-module manufacturing to Sugar Land, create hundreds of jobs and occupy a long-vacant property. Jennifer Alexander, Business Retention Manager for the City of Sugar Land, told the board AOI would “be bringing that onshore to North America,” sign a 10‑year lease at 1111 Gillingham and make a capital investment “of $77,000,000.”

City staff described the company as a long-standing Sugar Land employer with global growth: Alexander said AOI started in 1997, established headquarters in Sugar Land in 2000 and “now they have about 3,000 worldwide. 345 of those primary employees are here in Sugar Land.” The company’s planned expansion would add up to 500 jobs in advanced production and engineering at an average annual salary of $61,240, according to the staff presentation.

Under the approved performance agreement the city would pay $200,000 per year for up to 10 years only if AOI meets the contract benchmarks. Alexander said the agreement “does provide for clawbacks if the requirements are not met,” and staff recommended approval after review by the Economic Development Committee and an executive session. If AOI meets all terms, Alexander said “the first payment of $200,000 would be issued March 30, 2027.”

During the public presentation assistant director Alaa Johnson introduced the project and answered procedural questions about the incentive structure and review process. The board moved and approved the measure with Director Betscher making the motion and Director Singel seconding; the vote was recorded as 7‑0 in favor.

The agreement was presented as a Type A sales‑tax funded incentive (authorized by the Development Corporation Act of 1979). The staff packet indicated the funding is performance‑based and subject to clawback provisions if AOI fails to meet job, salary or capital investment requirements.

Board members asked a limited number of clarification questions at the meeting (for example about current AOI employment in Sugar Land and the timing of payments); no amendments to the proposed agreement were offered during the vote. The board’s approval now authorizes staff to finalize the agreement consistent with the terms presented and to issue payments only after the company achieves the contract milestones.

Looking ahead, staff said the first payment schedule and the agreement’s enforcement provisions will be administered by the city’s economic development team and its budget/compliance analyst.","The Sugar Land Development Corporation voted 7-0 to authorize a 10-year, $2 million redevelopment performance agreement with Applied Optoelectronics that ties payments to job creation, a lease at 1111 Gillingham and capital investment targets.","actionData","errors"]

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Economic development director reports Imperial property closing, Great Homes results and new hires

SLDC reviews proposed FY2026 budget; board hears debt, transfers and reserves plan

Sugar Land Development Corporation approves $2 million incentive agreement with Applied Optoelectronics