Young County hears extensive public concern as developer seeks 10-year tax abatement for 2,200‑acre solar and battery project

A developer seeking a 10‑year tax abatement for a proposed solar and battery project told the Young County Commissioners Court on Feb. 24 that the project would cost about $264,600,000, use roughly 2,200 acres of leased land west of Mysesville and that construction could run from the fourth quarter of 2027 through the fourth quarter of 2028.

The applicant’s adviser, Robert Pena of Texas Energy Consultants, said the developer—identified in materials to the court as Titus LTV (Tapadero)—is estimating about 50 construction‑period jobs and one permanent full‑time employee after operations begin. Pena said the company expects the facility’s useful life to be 40–50 years and that, under the company’s depreciation assumptions, the project’s taxable value would decline during the 10‑year abatement and level at roughly 25% of original value at the end of the period.

Why it matters: Commissioners must weigh a near‑term tax revenue reduction against a long‑term property investment and potential local economic activity, while also addressing resident concerns about public safety, wildlife, roads and property values. Commissioners voted to retain outside counsel to review abatement documents and to begin the formal steps that would be needed if the court chooses to consider a reinvestment zone; the developer agreed to reimburse the county for counsel costs.

Pena described the grid connection path and said interconnection work with ERCOT and the Public Utility…