Cedar Park approves $1.5 million performance grant to Aon Industrial, citing 135-job commitment

The Cedar Park City Council voted unanimously to authorize a $1,500,000 performance-based grant to Aon Industrial, a defense-technology manufacturer that presented plans to lease space in the city and expand local operations.

Arthur Jackson, the city's chief economic development officer, said the agreement ties payments to milestones in a performance agreement. Under the terms presented to council, the company must lease a facility in Cedar Park, create 135 full-time jobs, hit a total payroll target of approximately $15,000,000, complete about $8,500,000 in capital investment and generate at least $200,000 in annual sales tax revenue.

Naveed Thomas, founder and CEO of Aon Industrial, told the council the company has grown quickly and is hiring. "We're still hiring right now, and that's part of our reason for moving out here," Thomas said, describing the local talent pool and proximity to Army Futures Command and Fort Hood as factors in the location decision. He said the company expects to scale its manufacturing footprint in the Cedar Tech 1 development.

Council members praised staff for moving quickly to secure the opportunity and noted the company's commitments are performance-based rather than up-front payments. The motion to approve the resolution passed unanimously following the presentation and public remarks from the company.

The city will monitor the company's milestone attainment before grant disbursements are made, consistent with the performance-based structure presented in council backup materials.