Waller County approves tax abatement for Peerless Pump to bring manufacturing jobs
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Summary
Commissioners approved a phased tax abatement and lease arrangement that supports Peerless Pump (a subsidiary of Grundfos) locating a manufacturing/packaging facility in a Legacy Development business park in Waller.
Waller County Commissioners Court approved a tax abatement agreement on March 19 authorizing a phased, five‑year abatement tied to a lease between Legacy Development LP and Sterling Fluid Systems USA Inc., doing business as Peerless Pump Company. The agreement applies to improvements to a manufacturing site in Reinvestment Zone No. 20‑01 in the city of Waller.
The abatement was presented by county staff alongside representatives from Legacy Development and Peerless Pump. Aaron Phillips, speaking for Peerless Pump, said the company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Danish pump maker Grundfos and plans to relocate and reestablish a Texas footprint that previously operated in Brookshire. Phillips said the Texas facility will initially employ about 33 people and the company aims to double that headcount within five years. Bob Nichols, representing Legacy Development, also addressed the court during the item.
County officials said the proposed manufacturing facility will be built by Legacy Development at an estimated $7 million in improvements, with Peerless Pump installing manufacturing equipment. The Reinvestment Zone was established Feb. 6, 2025; the property is west of FM 362 and east of James Muse Parkway along Business 290 in Waller, 77484. County staff noted the abatement applies to capital improvements, while land and inventory remain taxable. A county official said the lease term with Legacy is 10 years and the abatement is phased over five years.
Commissioners discussed the local economic impact, noting that the project brings a corporate partner with substantial backing and creates wage‑paying jobs. The court approved the abatement by voice vote; the record shows the court voted in favor and the abatement was adopted.
The agreement also prompted commissioners to recount the county’s strategy of using targeted abatements to attract employers that might otherwise locate outside the county. Judge and commissioners stressed the county continues to collect property taxes on the land and inventory and emphasized the broader economic benefits of payroll and local spending.
The county clerk will finalize the contract documents and the abatement becomes effective upon execution of the lease between Sterling Fluid Systems (Peerless Pump) and Legacy Development LP. The court did not specify any required further conditions beyond completion of the lease and noted plans for future coordination on expansion and workforce needs.