Tesla wants tax breaks to build solar manufacturing plant in Fort Bend County, documents reveal
FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- Tech giant Tesla is hoping to build a solar manufacturing facility in Fort Bend County by 2028, according to documents obtained by ABC13.
The documents, submitted to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts on behalf of Tesla by the firm Kroll, indicate that the facility, which would be located on FM 1994 and FM 762 near Needville, aims to start operations in 2029.
"The proposed facility would be expected to manufacture photovoltaic solar cells and/or assembled solar modules, which are components used to convert sunlight into electricity," Kroll wrote in its submission.
Kroll said the project would lead to nearly 10,000 permanent jobs, over 1,100 construction jobs, and would create billions in property tax revenue over the coming decades.
However, it appears that property taxes could prevent the project from ever taking place in the state.
Kroll wrote to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts that "Tesla would be forced to further evaluate this potential investment outside of the state of Texas" if an agreement regarding tax incentives isn't reached.
Tesla has asked the state for such incentives under the Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation (JETI) Act that was passed by state lawmakers in 2023.
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The act, created to bring new jobs and investment to Texas, reduces the amount of property taxes an entity must pay over a 10-year period if it meets requirements related to job creation and investment.
The comptroller's office states that the state has 30 days to decide on the status of a JETI application.
ABC13 reached out to that office to check on the status of Tesla's application, which was submitted in late July, but hasn't received a response as of this article's publication.
