· Related development
City Council approves Cacique tax abatement and AEDC location incentive agreement, 5-0
After designating about 55 acres near South Georgia Street and Loop 335 as Reinvestment Zone No. 13 (Ordinance No. 7913, first reading March 9 and second reading March 23, 2021), the council voted 5-0 on a 10-year, 100% tax abatement and 5-0 on an AEDC location incentive agreement with Cacique, LLC for a food processing plant on 55 acres in the South Georgia Business Park. The agreement provides $5,000,000 for up to 500 jobs paid over five years, conveyance of the 55 acres, and $2,500 per relocating employee.[1][2][3]
Kevin CarterGinger NelsonFreda PowellElaine HaysEddy SauerHoward SmithAmarillo Economic Development Corporation (AEDC)Cacique, LLC (Cacique Foods)
What the sources say
- ✓ Verified
Ordinance No. 7913 designated about 55 acres in the vicinity of South Georgia Street and Loop 335 as Reinvestment Zone No. 13 for commercial and industrial tax abatement. The council passed it on first reading 5-0 on March 9, 2021, when Kevin Carter said the site would hold a cheese manufacturing and processing plant, and on second reading 5-0 on March 23, 2021 as a consent item. [2][1]
- ✓ Verified
On March 23, 2021 the council voted 5-0 on a tax abatement agreement among the City, the AEDC, Cacique, LLC and Loop 335 South Georgia Street Ventures, LLC. The AEDC recommended a 100% abatement for 10 years on construction and equipment costs. [1]
- Abatement
- 100%
- Abatement years
- 10
- ✓ Verified
The council then voted 5-0 on an AEDC location incentive agreement with Cacique, LLC under which the AEDC would provide $5,000,000 for the creation of up to 500 full-time jobs, paid over five years on a 10-year performance term, convey 55 acres in the South Georgia Business Park, and pay $2,500 per employee for relocation into the five-county metro area. Kevin Carter said the project fit within AEDC incentive guidelines. [1]
- Job incentive
- $5,000,000
- Max jobs
- 500
- Acres conveyed
- 55
- Relocation per employee
- $2,500
- ✓ Verified
Projections presented to the council (not results): $88,000,000 in capital investment ($52,000,000 facility, $36,000,000 equipment), up to 500 employees with all phases (200 in phase 1), and up to $22,500,000 in new annual payroll ($9,000,000 in phase 1). [1][3]
- Projected investment
- $88,000,000
- Projected jobs
- 500
- Projected payroll
- $22,500,000
- ⚠ Sources differ
Sources give different sizes for the planned Cacique building.
- ⚠ Sources differ
The AEDC's own project report lists a different total for the Cacique commitment than the job-creation figure in the council minutes.
Reported value 1[1]
- Job incentive
- $5,000,000
Council minutes: $5,000,000 for job creation, plus 55 acres and $2,500 per relocating employee (no total stated).
Reported value 2[4]
- Original project
- $5,750,000
AEDC managerial report, January 31, 2025: 'original project' amount for Cacique Foods, LLC, with $1,750,000 budgeted for the year and $4,000,000 in future commitments.