New Tax Credits Available for Businesses that Hire Military Veterans

New tax credits are available for businesses hiring military veterans.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/11/21/fact-sheet-returning-heroes-and-wounded-warrior-tax-credits

In August, President Obama called on Congress to enact tax credits that will help get veterans back to work. The Returning Heroes Tax Credit provides businesses that hire unemployed veterans with a maximum credit of $5,600 per veteran, and the Wounded Warriors Tax Credit offers businesses that hire veterans with service-connected disabilities with a maximum credit of $9,600 per veteran.
These tax credits were included in the American Jobs Act and were signed into law by President Obama on November 21, 2011.

Encourage Businesses to hire unemployed veterans today !

SpaceX signs economic development agreement

SpaceX signed a long-term economic development agreement with the City of McGregor, Texas.
The agreement, which was partially facilitated by the Greater Waco Chamber, provides incentives to encourage SpaceX to add and maintain high quality jobs and make large infrastructure investments in SpaceX’s 630-acre Rocket Development Facility in McGregor.

The agreement could result in more than $60 million being invested in the facility and hundreds of jobs paying 30% more than the average weekly wage in McLennan County.

SpaceX has a $1.6 billion contract with NASA to haul supplies to the International Space Station,

SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk flew in from California to attend the event.

“We have had support from the community from the beginning,” said Musk. “I like the spirit of Texas, probably more than any other state in the country it believes in freedom and free enterprise. Texas likes doing things that are big and exciting. There is a sense of optimism and a feeling that great things can be accomplished.”

Lauren Dreyer, director of business affairs at SpaceX echoes that sentiment.

“McGregor has been a great place for SpaceX to do business. SpaceX will use these incentives to further our investment in jobs and infrastructure in McGregor," she said.

SpaceX's rocket facility is located four miles west of McGregor High School on Bluebonnet Parkway, in McGregor, Texas.

Does Advertising Work?

Here is a link to an article, by Ed Burghard on Linkedin that has some good answers to that question
Does Advertising have a Role in Economic Development?
What do you thinks about these answers?

Dunkin Brands looking for new sites

Economic development agencies and cities interested in a Dunkin Brands have an opportunity through The Retail Connection. Check with Jeremy Zidell [jzidell@theretailconnection.net]    #retail #economicdevelopment

Texas Workforce Commission-Small Business Training Grant

New training grant available for Texas Small Businesses with fewer than 100 employees.  This grant funds tuition and fees at a local community college for up to $1,450 per newly hired employee and up to $725 per incumbent employee.  This is a great opportunity for small business development. check it out at http://www.twc.state.tx.us/svcs/funds/ssb.html

Texas Small Business Forum, August 9, Waco TX, Mundo and Associates to speak

There will be a Texas Small Business Forum, Tuesday August 9, 8am-3pm, at the Waco Convention Center.  The Forum is free for all attendees. 
For registration details click here: http://www.waco-chamber.com/images/TxSmBizForum.pdf

Mundo & Associates, Inc.  will be exhibiting and also speaking at the event (at 10:10am and also 2pm) on the following subject:
Private Sector Entrepreneurship, how to work with EDC's: 
1. What is an EDC and how may they assist you? (Local, State, and federal assistance). 
2. What to expect from EDC for business assistance (technical/financial). 
3.  How to prepare to request financial assistance, what to expect in an agreement for financial assistance.  

Stop by and visit with us at the Texas Small Business Forum !

 

Imperium Holdings Now Leasing Historic Weatherford Town Square

Mundo and Associates, Inc. is pleased to announce that  Imperium Holdings is now leasing their Historic Weatherford Town Square restaurant and retail space.  Mundo and Associates, Inc. assisted Imperium Holdings with their economic incentive plan that is now preapproved by the Weatherford Economic Development Authority.  This unique project takes full advantage of a block of underutilized retail space on the Parker County Court House Square.  With creative design, this retail space will become a center for entertainment and rooftop dining.  Opportunities are now available.  Contact Imperium Holdings at www.imperium-holdings.com   

Electronic Arts (EA) expands Austin operations creating 300 new jobs

Gov. Perry Announces EA to Expand Austin Facility, Creating 300 Jobs

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today was joined by EA Games President Frank Gibeau and EA Sports COO Daryl Holt to announce that EA is expanding its Austin operations and creating 150 full-time jobs and 150 contract positions. The governor credited Texas’ sound economic principles for helping grow the video game industry in the state.

“On behalf of the State of Texas, I’d like to congratulate EA on expanding its presence in Austin, and welcome the quality jobs that will be created here as a result,” Gov. Perry said. “Much like the video gaming industry, our state is built on the foundation of competition; thanks to our low taxes, reasonable and predictable regulatory climate, fair legal system and skilled workforce, we continue to attract companies from around the nation.”

BioWare™, a division of EA, started BioWare/Austin in 2005 with only eight employees. Since then, BioWare and other EA operations in Austin have grown to employ more than 450. BioWare/Austin is currently developing the multiplayer online game, Star Wars®: The Old Republic™. Other EA groups in Austin include IT, product support and additional game development teams.  

“Texas has been an important creative center for EA’s growth as a global leader in technology and entertainment,” Frank Gibeau, EA Games President said. “We are continually searching for the best talent in the industry and the best locations for our operations. Gov. Perry’s leadership in passing the Texas Moving Image Production Incentive has created an economic environment that is very supportive of game development. Texas is a great place to make games – that’s why EA is expanding here.”

According to the Entertainment Software Association, the video game industry generates more than $25 billion nationally in annual revenue. Texas ranked second nationally in computer and video game employees in 2009, with more than 13,600 individuals directly and indirectly employed by the industry. Additionally, with 21 schools offering video game design and development programs in the 2010-2011 academic year, Texas is ranked third.

Texas’ economy continues to receive national recognition. The state’s unemployment rate is more than a full point below the national average at 8.0 percent, compared to the nation’s 9.2 percent rate. Additionally, Texas is the top exporting state in the nation for the ninth year in a row.
For the seventh year in a row, CEOs ranked Texas the top state for business in a survey by Chief Executive Magazine. Site Selection Magazine recently awarded Texas the 2010 Governor’s Cup for the most new and expanded corporate facilities announced over the year. Additionally, according to a USA Today examination of data released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, Texas moved past New York over the past decade to become the nation’s second-largest economy.
For more information about Texas’ economic accolades, please visithttp://governor.state.tx.us/texas_brags/.

Hewitt and Waco Area celebrates Groundbreaking for new Fed Ex Ground Facility in Hewitt, Texas

FedEx Corp. celebrated the groundbreaking of its 102,000-square foot distribution facility in Hewitt, something that could translate to an increase in workforce over time.
The site doubles capacity with 96 van positions, expandable to 120.  In addition, production will increase by 7,500 more packages per hour up to 22,5000.
FedEx reports that the new space will allow for an increase in volume, which they say could translate to an increase in workforce over time.
"Since 2003 this region has experienced a 70 percent volume increase.   FedEx Ground has launched four projects this year alone to support growing volume, and this new facility is the biggest of them," Roy Pittman, managing director gulf coast FedEx Ground said.  "We are excited about this new site. By doubling our capacity, we will be able to improve our delivery times and better serve Central Texas consumers."
The project is a boost for Hewitt's Commerce Park at Interstate 35 and Alliance Parkway.
"The City of Hewitt is proud to have FedEx in our marketplace," Adam Miles, city manager of Hewitt said.
The new facility was made possible by the collaboration of multiple partners, the City of Hewitt, Hewitt Chamber of Commerce, Intrust Properties, Greater Waco Chamber and Texas Commercial and Industrial Real Estate Services, Inc.
The site is the largest project to locate in the 147-acre Commerce Park development, a master-planned commercial and industrial development of Intrust Properties.
"FedEx is an important member of our robust logistics industry that includes 20 distribution centers totaling 8 million square feet," Sarah Roberts, Senior Vice President Economic Development for the Greater Waco Chamber said. "This project is a great example of Greater Waco's regional efforts to support existing business expansions and we appreciate the partnership that have made it possible to welcome this newest logistics expansion."

new Texas Transportation Commission Actions

Transportation Commission Actions

The Texas Transportation Commission convened June 30, 2011 for its monthly meeting and took the following actions:

• Awarded approximately $63 million in state and federal grants, and approximately $2.9 million transportation development credits to support public transportation in Texas.
• Authorized acceptance of a $15 million federal grant from the High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Program for preliminary engineering and environmental studies for high-speed rail services between Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston.

Texas Economic Development Sales Tax Course

Pam Mundo, Mundo and Associates, and Terri Shatter, Oncor and Sunnyvale 4A Director attended the TEDC Economic Development Sales Tax Workshop this past Friday. The Texas Legistature did not change the Texas Sales Tax Laws except for 3 small changes.  Of most importance is a new Section 504.171 allowing Type A Corporations of Cities under 7,500 population to undertake Type B projects if the City has a Type B Corporation. The public hearing and 60 day notice would apply to the project. 
Of some important note was the review of the Public Information Act (PIA) formerly Open Records Act  and with even informal requests for information such requests need to be treated in accordance with the PIA.   Texas Economic Development Council did a great job developing and executing this important workshop!

Shopping Sunnyvale

Sunnyvale, Texas  4A Development Corporation is initiating a new business retention program .  See http://www.shoppingsunnyvale.com/.  Businesses in the Town of Sunnyvale may sign up for this marketing opportunity.  Mundo and Associates, Inc. is assisting the Sunnyvale 4A Development Corporation in developing and activating this program with SKEDs.com. 

Lorena Texas EDC awards Business Rent Subsidy Grant

The Lorena Texas Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) has awarded a Lorena Business Rent Subsidy Grant to Ta Dah Salon and Boutique, a new business opening July 6 at 108B Center Street in the Lorena Downtown. 

The Business Rent Subsidy Grant Program developed by the LEDC and Mundo and Associates, Inc.  is intended to enhance the economic development of the City of Lorena by offering matching grant funds for rent subsidy to help new business survive and thrive during their initial months in a previously unoccupied building of Lorena.  Thereby helping both the creation of new businesses and filling empty buildings at the same time. 

Lorenaedc@ci.lorena.tx.us
http://www.ci.lorena.tx.us/
#EDC, #Grants, #LorenaTX, #RentSubsidy