The Development Corporation meeting opened with public comment on the new Amazon delivery facility being constructed in the city's industrial park.
Later the board received an update on the city's not filling the Economic Development Director slot. The report came from interim Economic Development Director and Assistant City Manager Michael Dane.
Dane said city management has no plans to fill the job at this time. He did share a recommendation from Dr. Clifton Jones that ASU's Small Business Development Center conduct a study of how other Texas cities have organized and staffed their economic development function. The Development Corporation funds the SBDC. Dane mentioned an ASU graduate student could conduct the study.
Board member Joe Spano asked Tina for information on the economic impact of not filling the position (empty since August 2022). Dane answered for Tina in general terms. He said roughly $200,000 in "savings" have fallen to the "future projects" line.
The Development Corporation Board will have a strategic planning workshop after its May meeting and will have the opportunity to consider its priorities for the coming fiscal year.
The meeting closed with Board member Spano thanking the Chamber of Commerce for their work on the new Amazon facility. A Chamber rep called it "an extremely complex transaction."
Amazon is known for avoiding taxes and garnering public subsidies. There is no information in either arena at this time. The Development Corporation approved tax abatement for Technology Tower after the board had been made aware of the possible project.
Amazon's last mile delivery facility could be similar with incentives to be approved later. I just wonder if possible public incentives are part of that incredibly "complex transaction."
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