PORTFOLIO

Projects led by individuals on the SMS team

College Station Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies Economic Development Agreement Overview

The College Station economic development agreement with Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies (FDB) was designed to support a major biopharmaceutical manufacturing campus in College Station, Texas. The agreement uses local tax incentives to encourage FDB to make a large capital investment, create high-paying jobs, and expand the region’s life-sciences industry. College Station offered a performance-based economic-development incentive, commonly described as a Chapter 380 tax-reimbursement or tax-rebate agreement. The incentive is tied to qualifying new investment and employment rather than being an unconditional grant.

College Station Costco Economic Development Agreement Overview

College Station’s economic-development agreement with Costco Wholesale Corporation was intended to facilitate development of a Costco warehouse and related retail improvements in the city. The agreement uses a performance-based incentive structure: Costco undertakes specified construction and operating commitments, and the city provides incentives tied to the new economic activity generated by the project. The Costco project was expected to add a major retail destination to College Station, increase sales-tax collections, create construction and permanent retail jobs, expand the city’s commercial tax base, and attract additional retail activity to the surrounding area. The project anchors Midtown Business Park with a major retail tenant, encouraging development on adjacent parcels.

College Station Science Park (Providence Park) Economic Development Agreement Overview

The College Station Science Park economic-development agreement is intended to support the creation of a research, technology, and advanced-industry development in College Station. The arrangement is designed to attract private investment and knowledge-based companies by pairing development commitments with performance-based local incentives. The Science Park is intended to:

create a location for research, technology, life-sciences, and advanced-manufacturing companies;
attract private capital and high-value employers;
support commercialization of university and research-related innovation;
generate professional and technical jobs; and
diversify College Station’s economy beyond its traditional dependence on education, government, and services.

The project’s economic rationale is closely connected to the region’s research and workforce assets, including Texas A&M University and related scientific, engineering, and biotechnology capabilities.

The agreement is structured as a performance-based Chapter 380 economic-development agreement under Texas law. Under this type of arrangement, the city may provide incentives after the developer or project company meets specified obligations.

Those obligations commonly include:

completing defined infrastructure or site improvements;
making a minimum capital investment;
developing or occupying designated portions of the Science Park;
attracting or retaining qualifying businesses and employees;
maintaining the project for a stated period; and
submitting documentation so the city can verify compliance.

The incentive may be based on qualifying new city tax revenue generated by the project. Depending on the agreement, that can involve rebates or reimbursements of a portion of eligible sales tax or other local revenue, subject to contractual limits.

College Station 2020 Economic Development Master Plan

The College Station 2020 Economic Development Master Plan is a strategic framework for guiding the City’s economic-development activities. It establishes priorities, recommended actions, and performance measures for attracting investment, supporting existing businesses, and strengthening the local economy. The plan was intended to help College Station:

diversify its economy;
reduce reliance on education, government, and traditional services;
attract and retain higher-wage employment;
support entrepreneurship and innovation;
strengthen relationships with Texas A&M University and regional institutions;
improve the business environment; and
coordinate city economic-development efforts with private, institutional, and regional partners.

Missouri City Texas Parkway-Cartwright Road Façade improvement Program

The Texas Parkway–Cartwright Road Façade Improvement Program is a City of Missouri City, Texas initiative intended to improve the appearance, marketability, and economic vitality of commercial properties along the city's identified redevelopment corridor- Texas Parkway and Cartwright Road.

The program focuses on visible exterior improvements rather than general business operating expenses or interior renovations. Its broader purpose is to encourage private property owners and businesses to reinvest in aging commercial buildings and create a more attractive gateway and business environment.

The program is designed to:

improve the appearance of commercial buildings and storefronts;
encourage private investment along the Parkway and Cartwright Road corridors;
support business retention, recruitment, and expansion;
improve pedestrian- and customer-facing areas;
strengthen corridor identity and visual consistency; and
promote redevelopment without requiring the City to undertake all improvements directly.

Businesses are reimbursed up to $200,000 for facade improvements, and City Council dedicated $1,000,000 to the program.

Midtown Master Plan, College Station

The Midtown area represents a major growth corridor for College Station, Texas, encompassing approximately 2,700 acres designed to transition the city from a traditional college town into a diverse, technology-driven economy.

Key Objectives of the Midtown Master Plan

The primary goal of the Midtown Master Plan is to create a vibrant, mixed-use district that integrates high-quality employment opportunities with residential, commercial, and recreational spaces. Core objectives of this master plan below:

Economic Diversification: Attracting high-tech industries, research facilities, and professional offices to reduce economic reliance solely on Texas A&M University.
Infrastructure Investment: Developing robust transportation networks, including access to State Highway 6, and upgrading utility capacities to support high-density commercial use.
Walkability and Connectivity: Integrating a system of greenways, parks, and multi-use paths to connect residential areas with employment centers.
Sustainable Land Use: Utilizing modern zoning districts to ensure high-quality architectural standards and environmental stewardship.