SH 146 Corridor Empowerment Zone
In January 2011, Seabrook City Council made a finding that the creation of a Neighborhood Empowerment Zone (NEZ) would benefit the public health, safety and welfare of the community. As such, City Council adopted a resolution to create the SH 146 Corridor Empowerment Zone. The overall goal is to retain and assist businesses impacted by the Texas Department of Transportation State Highway 146 expansion project, and to help these companies relocate within the city limits.
A NEZ is a designated area where municipalities can offer economic incentives to promote investment and redevelopment. NEZs are proven to be beneficial in revitalizing areas within a municipality that are in need of physical, economic and social rehabilitation.
Seabrook created the SH 146 Corridor Empowerment Zone to promote an increase in economic development, contribute to retention or expansion of primary employers, and attract major investment that would be of benefit to the affected properties and to the community. This NEZ gives the city the power within the zone to:
- Waive or adopt fees for construction of new buildings, including inspection and impact fees;
- Enter into agreements, not to exceed ten years, for refunds of municipal sales tax for sales made within the zone;
- Abate municipal property taxes, subject to a time limit; and
- Set performance standards to encourage the use of alternative building materials that will benefit the environment through reduced maintenance needs and/or energy consumption.
As an example of how this incentive package is being employed, the Seabrook EDC and City Council approved a five-year sales tax rebate agreement to encourage the reinvestment and redevelopment of Tookies Restaurant. Located within the SH 146 Corridor Empowerment Zone, this Seabrook icon has been closed since September 2008 due to damage sustained during Hurricane Ike.
Click here to see a map of the SH 146 Corridor Empowerment Zone boundaries.
