County approves incentive agreement to advance Schneider Electric expansion talks

El Paso County’s commissioners on Monday voted to approve a Chapter 381 economic development agreement that begins a structured incentives process to support Schneider Electric’s evaluation of a possible manufacturing expansion in the region.

The agreement — to be signed by the county judge — does not finalize a relocation or expansion; it creates a framework of incentives and conditions Schneider and a commercial partner must satisfy if the company elects to proceed. Roberto Ransom, director of the county’s Economic Development Department, described the project to commissioners as a capital‑intensive proposal that could bring about $50.3 million in investment and more than 500 full‑time jobs if the company makes a final commitment.

County officials and economic-development partners said the vote clears an important procedural hurdle. “This milestone marks the beginning of a series of efforts aimed at guiding the company towards their final decision,” Ransom said during the presentation. John Barela, who has led county business recruitment efforts, thanked the court and partners for the “team sport” of economic development and called the opportunity “phenomenal,” while emphasizing additional steps remain before any final announcement.

The court’s action authorized the county judge to sign the Chapter 381 agreement with Schneider Electric USA Inc. and Plexar LLC (contract number 20250166) and approved the draft with negotiated redline edits presented in the backup. Assistant county attorney Evatt Lucas provided the final motion language used to carry the vote.

The contract creates a conditional structure of incentives tied to investment thresholds, job creation and performance requirements over a multiyear period. County staff, legal counsel and outside advisors said the agreement contains clawbacks and reporting obligations typical of Chapter 381 arrangements, and that execution of public incentives would follow verification of the company’s performance against those conditions.

Commissioners and staff said the county negotiated the structure to protect taxpayer interests while remaining competitive in a contested site-selection process. County Manager Betsy Keller and the county legal team worked with Schneider representatives and regional economic partners during the negotiations. The court voted to approve the agreement by a motion from County Judge Samaniego and a second by Commissioner Coronado; the motion carried.

County officials said they will return to the court with any subsequent, specific incentive disbursement requests that require formal authorization. Until Schneider executes final investment documents and satisfies the agreement’s conditions, the county’s action remains preparatory rather than a payment or transfer of funds.

Proponents said the deal could generate industrial jobs and supplier activity in the region; opponents were not recorded during the public hearing portion of the item.

The county will post the executed agreement and associated compliance materials once signed and countersigned by the parties.