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Hunt County approves 10‑year, 50% abatement for Royal Oaks expansion; company pledges investment and about 58 jobs
Summary
Commissioners approved a tax abatement agreement with Royal Oaks Enterprises LLC for property in Greenville Reinvestment Zone 5, covering 50% of new value for 10 years with a delayed start planned for Jan. 1, 2027; the company plans up to $10 million in new investment and expects to add roughly 58 hourly jobs over a multiyear build‑out.
Hunt County Commissioners Court on Sept. 23 approved a tax abatement agreement with Royal Oaks Enterprises LLC (doing business as Royal Oak) for property at 6202 Industrial Boulevard in Greenville’s Reinvestment Zone 5, authorizing an abatement of 50 percent of new taxable value for 10 years with a delayed start dated Jan. 1, 2027.
Greg (presenting to the court) and company representatives said the plan is part of an expansion and consolidation that would bring additional manufacturing capability to the Greenville plant and retain operations that otherwise would remain or expand in Alabama. The company currently employs about 53 hourly workers at the Greenville site and told the court it expects to increase hourly employment to roughly 107, an increase of about 58 positions, and to invest up to $10,000,000 in building and equipment over a multi‑phase, roughly three‑year program.
Russ Sims, an area director from the company’s corporate office, said timing and contractor availability drive the proposed start date: “2027 would probably be when you'll see the bulk of of the work done,” he told the court. When asked whether the job additions totaled about 58 new employees, Sims replied, “That's correct.”
Under the terms presented, the abatement would apply only to new value added to the tax roll; state law prevents local taxing units from abating existing appraised value. The presenter and commissioners noted the county and the City of Greenville must each approve abatement terms; county approval is one of several local steps in the incentive and permitting process.
Court members heard details of the company’s three‑phase plan, which the presenters said would add lines, modernize plant controls and packaging, expand research and development capacity, and move the plant toward a three‑shift operation. The presentation included projected job creation by phase (about 23 jobs in phase 1, 19 in phase 2 and 16 in phase 3) as described by county staff and company representatives.
The court made a motion, which was seconded, and approved the abatement by voice vote. County staff said the company will also present the proposal to the City of Greenville for its action; the city is the lead authority on creating reinvestment zones.
