Plainview City Council on Nov. 11 approved two incentive agreements to support a multiyear modernization of the city's Walmart distribution center and to help fund reconstruction of Quincy Street.

Christy Aday, executive director of the Plainview Economic Development Corporation, told council the agreements cover two separate vehicles: a Chapter 312 tax abatement limited to new equipment and a Chapter 380 sales-tax rebate tied to project participation and infrastructure improvements. Aday said the abatement applies only to new equipment installed for the upgrades; there is no abatement on the facility's real property.

Ivan Jaime, Walmart's director of government affairs, said the company is making a minimum $275 million investment in the Plainview facility in three phases, with final completion expected in 2027. He described upgrades including robotics, automation, AI-enabled routing and employee upskilling and said the site serves more than 100 stores across Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma and employs more than 1,100 people when transportation personnel are included.

Aday outlined phase-specific figures presented to council: Phase 1 investment of about $143 million (with a partially abated equipment value yielding a $1.2 million net tax contribution to the city over the abatement period), Phase 2 roughly $118 million (city net ~ $1.3 million), and Phase 3 with greater abatement values and an estimated city net contribution after each phase. The council was told the city's share of the 10-year sales-tax rebate is estimated at $4.2 million and Walmart has agreed to reimburse the city up to $5.7 million for Quincy Street reconstruction from 24th to I‑27.

Councilmember Martinez asked staff to confirm that Walmart will continue to pay its current property and equipment taxes; Aday confirmed the abatement applies only to the new equipment value and that the current assessed values remain on the tax rolls. Council discussion noted the agreements are intended to preserve local jobs, generate construction-related sales tax revenue and enable a large infrastructure project without a direct one-time hit to the city budget.

Councilmember House moved to adopt Resolution R25-683 (Chapter 312 tax abatement); Councilmember Dickerson seconded. The clerk reported a vote of 7 and the resolution was approved. Councilman Rascon moved to accept Resolution R25-684 (Chapter 380 sales-tax rebate and related agreement); Councilmember Rodriguez seconded and the clerk again reported a vote of 7, approving the Chapter 380 agreement.

The council's approvals allow Walmart to proceed with equipment and facility upgrades under the terms presented to the city and secure the infrastructure participation that will fund the Quincy Street work. The agreements also bind Walmart to employment commitments and the rebate/abatement schedules described to the council.