Tesla plans $150M battery factory in Brookshire

What you need to know

Tesla, an automotive and clean energy company, already leases about 1 million square feet at 111 Empire Blvd. in Stream Realty Partners’ Empire West Business Park, said Vince Yokom, executive director of the Waller County Economic Development Partnership.

While a third-party logistics company has occupied the space, Tesla will now move in and make a “significant investment” toward the Brookshire area, Yokom said.

"A really important figure on this is the total salaries over a 10-year period, indirect and direct: $1 billion," he said. "So this is going to have a huge, significant impact on the Brookshire area, south Waller County and Waller County in general."

Stream Realty declined to comment for the story.

The details

Tesla's move into Brookshire will happen in two phases at the business park, according to agenda documents. Under the agreement, the entities will provide the following items in Phase 2:

• Stream Realty will spend $44 million to improve the manufacturing facility at 111 Empire Blvd. for Tesla with electrical capacity and heating and cooling equipment
• Tesla will spend about $150 million to install manufacturing equipment

• Stream Realty will build a $31.5 million manufacturing facility
• Tesla will install distribution equipment and make building improvements for an estimated cost of $2 million to $5 million

• At least 375 individuals by the end of the first year
• At least 750 individuals by the end of the second year
• 1,500 employees by the end of the third year and through the abatement period, which ends Dec. 31, 2035

Precinct 4 Commissioner Justin Beckendorff said he was pleased to hear the Megafactory project would bring jobs providing a wide pay scale range. He said Tesla expects to offer approximately:

• 1,000 jobs paying over $50,000 annually
• 300 jobs paying over $60,000 annually
• 150 jobs paying over $100,000 annually
• 50 jobs paying close to $150,000 annually

“This gives good-paying jobs right here in Waller County, so you don’t have to drive into Houston or the surrounding area to have a good income,” Beckendorff said. “We look forward to having you as a partner in our community.”

Construction and opening timelines aren’t included in the agreement, but the abatement period begins Jan. 1, 2026.

Waller County’s tax abatement agreement is contingent on the city of Brookshire also approving an abatement for Tesla, according to agenda documents. Brookshire City Council is set to consider the abatement agreement at 7 p.m. March 6.