Ennis approves 70% rebate for Project Bravo, staff says new water/wastewater infrastructure will follow

The Ennis City Commission voted July 16 to approve a Chapter 380 economic development agreement for “Project Bravo” (also referenced in the packet as Project Regala), a proposed manufacturing project intended to produce commercial roofing membranes and waterproofing systems.

Economic development director Jim Wehmeyer presented the project as a roughly 42.7-acre site on Oak Grove Road with a projected capital investment near $77 million and 34 new jobs paying a minimum wage of about $45,000 with benefits. Wehmeyer said the proposal requests a 70% rebate of qualifying city property taxes for seven years, funded from the tax increment and the general fund, and that the developer would document compliance to receive rebates.

Staff noted some of the infrastructure assistance (a previously approved Project 300) would support water and wastewater lines that serve this and a larger industrial area; Wehmeyer said a new wastewater line and a connecting water line are planned to complete system looping and to serve about 300 acres of industrial land once constructed.

The commission approved the Chapter 380 rebate by voice vote. Wehmeyer said the item, if approved by the city, would proceed to Ellis County for a workshop (July 23) and county action (Aug. 6).

What the record shows: staff provided projected revenues during the incentive (staff cited about $128,000 per year to the city during the incentive period) and higher estimated ongoing revenues after the rebate expires. Sales tax projections were labeled as unknown during the presentation and the packet contained some language the staff identified as confusing about infrastructure-assistance attribution.

The commission recorded the approval by voice vote; no roll-call tally was read in the meeting transcript.