Summary

In TIF districts, an alternative to up front financial awards traditionally associated with TIF, the City can provide a rebate of property taxes. The developer will pay the taxes and receive an immediate rebate from the City. Developers find this tool especially beneficial over the traditional upfront award because the entire amount of the property taxes are rebated. In upfront situations where the City must finance the cost, the cost of financing (usually 30%) is subtracted from the amount of the award.

The Sugar Land Development Corporation (SLDC) is an economic development sales tax (Type A) corporation of the City of Sugar Land, which collects a 1/4 cent of sales tax from taxable sales for the purpose of funding economic development activities.

The SLDC has a direct incentive program, which may be used to provide cash grants to qualifying projects and companies.  If the company is eligible, the direct incentives are based on a number of factors including total job creation and wages, capital investment, the financial strength of the applicant, the applicant's business history, and an analysis of the relevant business sector. 

Requirements:

  • Minimum Number of Primary Jobs: 100

  • Minimum annual average salary: 50% of the City’s average Household Income

  • Minimum Capital Investment: $15 million (new construction) and $3.25 million (leasing tenants)

  • Minimum Square Footage Lease: (Leasing Tenants): 25,000

  • Credit Rating: “A”

  • Duration: Maximum of 10 Years

  • Minimum Annual Rate of Return: 10.5 %

Direct incentives require a performance agreement with the company and are based on the assumptions used to determine the incentive.  The City of Sugar Land's Office of Economic Development administers the direct incentive program and applications are processed directly through the Economic Development staff.