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Council nominates Benny Keith for Texas Enterprise Zone designation
Summary
The council adopted Ordinance 8182 to participate in the Texas Enterprise Zone Program and nominated Benny Keith Company for consideration; staff said the company plans to invest in facility improvements and upgrades and requested no local incentives.
The Amarillo City Council adopted Ordinance 8182 to participate in the Texas Enterprise Zone Program and to nominate Benny Keith Company for Enterprise project status, making the company eligible for state sales- and-use-tax refunds tied to eligible investment and job-creation criteria.
Assistant Director Drew Brassfield presented the nomination and described the project as involving an estimated $4 million remodel of the existing facility and $250,000 in fire-suppression improvements; the presentation also referenced a planned parking-lot expansion but did not specify an amount for that component in the staff presentation. Brassfield said Benny Keith currently employs about 320 people at its site and intends to target hiring of economically disadvantaged persons, veterans and Enterprise Zone residents for a portion of new or replacement positions.
Brassfield noted that the city is not being asked to provide local incentives; the Enterprise Zone program makes selected projects eligible for state-administered refunds up to program caps. Council asked questions about prior nominations and staff confirmed the city has previously nominated projects that later received state incentives. With no public speakers present on this item, the council voted to adopt the ordinance and forward the nomination to the state.
