Grayson County fiscal court authorizes steps to form economic development authority to recruit and retain employers

The Grayson County Fiscal Court voted to authorize county officials to begin establishing an economic development authority to support business retention and job creation in the county. The court’s motion passed after the county judge described a plan to create a small board and hire a director to focus on recruiting businesses, helping existing employers pursue grants, and coordinating infrastructure projects.

The judge said the authority would be a new board separate from the existing Industrial Development Corporation and recommended a board of about five to seven members with four‑year terms; the county and city would each appoint members. He said the authority’s job would include job creation, business growth, grant assistance, workforce development connections with the schools and infrastructure planning.

Court members discussed recruiting multiple smaller employers rather than relying on single large factory recruitment. The judge said the county had options for candidate industrial sites, including a roughly 60‑acre tract near the Parkway and a 90‑acre property near the school district the county previously secured an option to purchase. He said the Industrial Development Corporation would continue its work while the new authority would pursue additional and targeted economic development strategies.

Magistrate Ben moved to authorize forming the authority and Magistrate Darren seconded; the court recorded an affirmative vote.

The judge said he would coordinate with city officials, Senator and Representative offices and local economic development consultants about next steps, including board membership and funding sources. The court did not approve a budget or hire a director at the meeting; it authorized the county judge to work with city leaders and state contacts to create the authority and return with implementation details.