economy

Local Economic Development Programs

The State of Texas provides a number of local economic Development programs for Texas communities. The Data Analysis and Transparency Division (DAT) provides detailed information about these programs, serving as a turnkey information source for improving government efficiency and achieving economic growth. We specialize in subjects including:

  • tax programs and incentive support;
  • job creation initiatives;
  • economic impact analysis;
  • financial transparency;
  • limiting financial exposure and;
  • budgeting efficiencies.

Stimulus Programs

Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEER)

Program Name:
Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEER)
Description:
The GEER II includes allowable uses of funds related to preventing, preparing for and responding to COVID-19. Governors may provide subgrants to local education agencies (LEAs) and institutions of higher education (IHEs) within their jurisdictions that have been “most significantly impacted by coronavirus” to support their ability to continue providing educational services to their students and to support the “on-going functionality” of these entities. In addition, a governor may use these funds to provide support through a subgrant or a contract to other LEAs, IHEs and education-related entities that the governor “deems essential” for carrying out emergency educational services; providing child care and early childhood education; providing social and emotional support and protecting education-related jobs.
Agency Administering Program:
U.S. Department of Education
Eligible Government Entity:
States (governor’s offices)
Eligibility Criteria:
Awarded to each state with an approved GEER application under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, enacted on March 27, 2020.
Grant or Loan:
Formula grant
Funds Available:
To be awarded based on a formula stipulated in the legislation: (1) 60 percent on the basis of the state’s relative population of individuals ages 5-24; and (2) 40 percent on the basis of the state’s relative number of children counted under Section 1124(c) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA).
Amount of Funds Available for Texas (cumulative):
  • Total Section 312 Allocation (GEER Fund): $287,499,442
  • Section 312(b) Supplemental Allocation (GEER II): $134,331,197
  • Section 312(d) Allocation Emergency Assistance for Non-Public Schools (EANS): $153,168,245
  • Maximum Reservation of EANS Funds for Administration: $765,841
Deadline(s):
Will be awarded to each state with an approved Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) application under the CARES Act. Each state must submit the signed Certification and Agreement for Funding by Feb. 8, 2021.
How to Apply:
The Governor will determine the criteria and process to apply for/award the funds.
For More Information:

Economic Development Webinars

These videos are to be used for informational purposes only. Continuing education (CE) credit for these topics will be available only for live events and participation.

Chapter 312 Tax Abatements and Reinvestment Zones
This presentation reviews:
  • The required steps for creating a reinvestment zone before an abatement is approved
  • The criteria for creating a reinvestment zone
  • The purpose of an abatement: how it should work and what forms must be submitted
Chapter 311 Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones (TIRZs)
This webinar discusses:
  • Tax increment financing (TIF) as an economic development tool local governments can use to pay for improvements that will draw private investment to their areas
  • How TIF differs from abatements
  • How TIF redirects a portion of future ad valorem taxes within a defined geographic area
  • The criteria and steps for creating a TIRZ
  • Potential financing options for proposed public project improvements
  • Forms that must be submitted
Municipal Development Districts (MDDs) and Economic Development Corporations (EDCs)
The Development Corporation Act of 1979 enables communities to finance new and expanded business enterprises through economic development corporations (EDCs). The presentation outlines:
  • The characteristics of Type A and Type B EDCs
  • How cities are authorized to adopt a sales tax to fund the corporations
  • Projects EDCs are allowed to undertake
  • How cities may hold an election to create an MDD, adopt a sales tax to fund it and use those funds for projects like convention centers, civic centers and auditoriums
Local & State Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) Programs
This webinar presentation discusses:
  • How the local hotel occupancy tax promotes tourism and the convention and hotel industry
  • Who must charge this tax and how to implement it
  • What exemptions exist
  • How the tax is remitted and how revenue from this tax is to be used
Chapter 313 Value Limitation Agreements
A Chapter 313 agreement is an appraised value limitation agreement with a taxpayer who agrees to build or install property and create jobs in exchange for a 10-year limitation on the taxable property value for school district maintenance and operations (M&O) tax purposes. The presentation provides a high-level overview.
Public Improvement Districts (PIDs)
This brief presentation discusses how a PID is a legal mechanism for property owners in a defined geographic area to jointly plan and establish a sustainable funding source that can pay for service to improve their area.

Need Help?

For additional information, contact the Data Analysis and Transparency Division via email or at 844-519-5672, ext. 6-9231.