Commissioners approve Chapter 381 agreement to attract Dunham's via Victoria Retail Group LLC

The Jim Wells County Commissioners Court on July 31 approved a Chapter 381 economic development agreement with Victoria Retail Group LLC that authorizes the County Judge to execute the contract, the County Judge said. The agreement offers a performance-based 0.5¢ sales-tax abatement for the project, capped at $250,000 over a 10-year period, and requires the company to complete roughly $1,500,000 in improvements to the building and site. The court approved the item following return from executive session.

The County Judge described the abatement as limited to sales tax and performance-based: "It is a sales tax abatement of, 0.5¢, with a cap of 250,000 over a 10 year period," he said, and emphasized that property taxes remain the company's responsibility. Michael Esparza, who identified himself as the city manager, said the city is offering the same 0.5¢ incentive and that recruitment has been underway for months. "The city is doing the same incentive, the same, 0.5¢ incentive," Esparza said. A motion to approve and authorize execution was made, seconded and carried by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded.

The judge said the incentive is performance-driven — rebates are paid only if the store meets sales thresholds — and that the city and county partnership aims to bring more retail and amenities to residents. The agreement references a chapter 381 arrangement with Victoria Retail Group LLC and identifies Dunham's as the likely tenant; the transcript does not list the agreement's effective date or the precise performance metrics beyond the cap and term.