Kaufman County court approves routine infrastructure and plats, accepts donation and hears foreign-trade zone briefing

Kaufman County Commissioners Court at its regular meeting approved a series of routine infrastructure purchases and land-division items, accepted a private donation of six solar-powered streetlights for Precinct 2 and heard a presentation on the federal Foreign Trade Zone program and a request to sponsor Hytheon—s subzone application.

A staff presenter described the U.S. Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) program, overseen by the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration, and the county—s agreement to sponsor Hytheon's application for subzone status. The presenter said FTZ status allows duty deferral on goods stored in a zone, reduced processing fees and the potential to eliminate duty on certain production waste. "Goods will come into the warehouse...they will not have been paid duty...and when they leave the warehouse, those payments are then made to U.S. customs," the presenter said, arguing…