Building partnerships with business, the City of Sugar Land is a top-rated community committed to strong economic growth and development.

The Sugar Land Economic Development program is committed to building business and assisting corporate decision makers by providing information, data and direction on incentive packages, real estate and city services. Both the City’s enterprise leaders and government structure recognize the importance of a strong, cooperative partnership and have joined forces to ensure continued economic growth and development.

Taxing Jurisdictions
City and county tax rates continue to drop as a result of the county’s economic restructure and strength. The taxing jurisdictions in Fort Bend County offer new businesses an aggressive incentive package combined with low property tax rates. The City and other taxing jurisdictions have been reducing property tax rates for the past several years. These jurisdictions have the flexibility to tailor tax abatements to each individual business seeking relocation or expansion.

Economic Development Grants/Loans
Chapter 380 of the Local Government Code provides legislative authority for municipalities to establish a program for making loans and grants to promote state and local economic development and to stimulate business and commercial activities in the city.

Freeport Exemption
Fort Bend Independent School District and Municipal Utility District 21 offer Freeport tax exemption to companies in Sugar Land. The Freeport exemption is targeted toward inventory providing a total exemption on the percentage of inventory that is shipped out of state within 175 days of receipt.

Property Tax Abatement
To promote and retain high-quality development in all parts of the City, Sugar Land and Fort Bend County will consider providing property tax abatement on the appraised value of real property improvements and business personal property in accordance with the City’s guidelines and criteria for granting tax abatement. Applications are available online or by calling 281-275-2229. 2006 Sugar Land Tax Abatement Guidelines

Fort Bend County tax abatement guidelines and applications are available through the Greater Fort Bend Economic Development Council website at www.fortbendcounty.org. An application fee for a trustee membership in the Greater Fort Bend Economic Development Council for
the term of the county abatement is required.

Tax Increment Financing
The City will consider using Tax Increment Financing to finance needed public improvements in a defined area. The costs of public infrastructure improvements to the area are repaid by the contribution of future tax revenues by each taxing unity that levies taxes against the property.

Texas Enterprise Fund
The State of Texas offers performance-based incentives in response to opportunities to bring jobs and employers to from out of state. These funds will be used primarily to attract new business to the state or assist with the substantial expansion of an existing business as part of a competitive recruitment situation. The program is administered by the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and Tourism, and requires participation by local government entities. All projects must have the concurrent approval of the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, and Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Emerging Technologies Fund
The State of Texas utilizes a $100 million fund intended to develop and diversify the state’s economy by expediting innovation and commercialization of research; attracting, creating or expanding private sector entities that will promote a substantial increase in high-quality jobs; and increasing higher education applied technology research capabilities. Applications to the fund are submitted by companies to statewide Regional Centers of Innovation and Commercialization (RCIC).

Click here for an Incentives Package Application form