Municipality Agreements

Chapter 380 of the Local Government Code authorizes municipalities to offer incentives designed to promote economic development such as commercial and retail projects. Specifically, it provides for offering loans and grants of city funds or services at little or no cost to promote state and local economic development and to stimulate business and commercial activity.

In order to provide a grant or loan, a city must establish a program to implement the incentives. Before proceeding, cities must review their city charters or local policies that may restrict a city's ability provide a loan or grant.

Local Development Agreement Database

In May 2021, the 87th Texas Legislature passed House Bill 2404, which went into effect Sept. 1, 2021, and requires the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts to create and make accessible an online database for local governments to report their economic development agreements authorized by either Chapter 380 or Chapter 381 of the Local Government Code.