The Taylor City Council on Jan. 9 approved a first amendment to its Chapter 312 tax abatement agreement with Soulbrain TX LLC to change the timing for a 50-job requirement.

The amendment, approved by motion, adjusts the original agreement’s requirement that 50 jobs be in place “day 1” at opening and instead allows the company to ramp up to that level over time. Council members voted to approve the amendment after a presentation from Taylor Economic Development Corporation leadership and a representative of Soulbrain.

Ben White, president and CEO of the Taylor Economic Development Corporation, told the council the change is a “minor” one that aligns the job schedule with Soulbrain’s federal CHIPS grant application and Williamson County tax payment timeline. “This tax abatement… gives us the opportunity to go down that road in the future, but it does not affect the land of that site or any taxes associated with that site today,” White said.

Dr. Park, representing Soulbrain TX LLC, told the council the company remains committed to the Taylor project despite geopolitical and economic uncertainty in South Korea. “Our plan is unchanged… the worldwide headquarters of Soulbrain’s semiconductor operations will keep our plan as is and continue make progress for our project,” Park said.

Council members expressed support for the company. Councilman Garcia moved to approve the amendment; the motion was seconded and carried with unanimous approval.

The amendment was characterized in staff remarks as aligning the city agreement with the company’s federal grant timeline rather than changing tax or land status.

The council did not discuss additional changes to abatement terms during the motion. The action was recorded as an approved amendment to the existing Chapter 312 tax abatement agreement.