Manvel EDC approves prorated clawback, extends timeline for Highway 6 utility project

Richard Rayner and Jake Baker, principals associated with the HJR Highway 6 development, asked the Manvel Economic Development Corporation to revise the performance agreement for project 2024‑01 to allow a prorated clawback and to extend the verification timeline to 36 months.

Rayner described the project as bringing water and sewer utilities under Highway 6 to serve a 3.76‑acre site across from the Manvel Town Center, a public infrastructure extension the application estimated could require up to $400,000 in city assistance. He said the utilities work — a 12‑inch water line and an 8‑inch sanitary line with required fire hydrants — would serve the applicant’s property and adjacent parcels, and that several prospective tenants have expressed interest, including Whitewater Express Car Wash and Dutch Bros Coffee. Rayner said the site could support about 45 employees but acknowledged that tenant automation and changing staffing models could reduce head counts.

On the requested changes, Rayner asked the EDC to permit a pro‑rata repayment (clawback) if the development does not meet the permanent job commitments and to extend the period for meeting those commitments from two years to three years. He read the proposed language describing the approach: “By way of example, if we only get 70% of the permanent jobs, then we have to pay you back 30% of the 4 100,” a statement intended to illustrate a proportional repayment formula tied to the $400,000 assistance figure in the packet.

Board members and staff discussed project history: the applicant bought the land in 2018, has access agreements with a neighboring financial institution (identified in the record as Johnson Space Center Federal Credit Union, now doing business as Wellby Financial), and has completed planning and some design work. Rayner noted that delays can come from third‑party permitting (for example TxDOT) and asked for the longer timeline to give tenants time to obtain building permits and construct buildings.

After discussion, a board member moved to approve the applicant’s requested amendments to the performance agreement; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Staff said they would prepare a revised agreement for signature; the timeline in the agreement begins on the date of execution.

The board’s action amended the performance agreement’s clawback and timing terms; the meeting record shows the original performance agreement was approved on 06/12/2024. No additional changes to funding amount (up to $400,000) were recorded in the board motion at the meeting.