1. Pegatron to start construction on HQ following incentives
Pegatron Corporation, a Taiwan-based electronics manufacturing company, plans to begin construction on its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Georgetown by March, according to Williamson County documents.
Located in Blue Springs Business Park, Pegatron plans to renovate the shell space for its manufacturing and assembly operations, according to Georgetown documents.
The update
Williamson County commissioners approved a tax abatement agreement with Pegatron on Jan. 6, which will exempt 30% of the assessed value of the land, improvements and tangible personal property for 10 years.
To receive the tax relief benefits, Pegatron must:
- Make a minimum capital investment of $35 million
- Begin construction by March 31, and complete it within two years
- Create 100 full-time jobs within three years
This comes after the city of Georgetown previously approved an economic incentive agreement and tax abatement agreement for Pegatron on Dec. 9.
Provided through the Georgetown Economic Development Corp., the economic development agreement includes:
- A maximum of $1.25 million in infrastructure-related funding
- A maximum of $273,000 as an employment grant
Georgetown’s tax abatement agreement with Pegatron will exempt 50% of business personal property and 50% of real property for 10 years.
2. City raises library fees for nonresidents
The city of Georgetown increased its library fees for those residing outside city limits beginning Jan. 1.
The details
The annual fee for nonresidents rose from $35 to $100. For senior nonresidents, the fee increased from $30 to $80. Users will be charged the new fee at the time of their library card renewal.
Why now?
The city funds the public library through resident property taxes.
Georgetown is increasing library card fees to support the cost of library services for the growing population and service area, a news release states. The city pays about $100 per library cardholder for library operations, according to the release.
3. WilCo officials seek public safety grant for water rescue boat
The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office will apply for a grant from the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation to purchase a swift water rescue boat.
The details
The $35,519 grant would cover the full cost of the inflatable boat, accessories and the trailer for the swift water rescue team to use during flash flood emergencies, according to county documents.
The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation provides grants to purchase public safety equipment, training and education, and is funded in part by sales at Firehouse Subs restaurants. There is no match required from the county.
Some context
One of the county’s swift water rescue boats was damaged in the July 4 weekend floods, County Judge Steve Snell said at the Jan. 6 commissioners meeting. This grant will help supplement the cost to replace it, Snell said.
“The work that our swift water rescue teams did with the sheriff’s office this July with the floods, both in Kerr County and Williamson County ... was amazing," Snell said. "The bravery was unbelievable.”
