ROBINSON, Texas — The City of Robinson, Texas has approved economic development agreements with Walmart Inc. to bring a "state-of-the-art fluid milk processing facility" to the Robinson Industrial Park by the end of 2026.
The City said the development will be located in the Robinson Business Park at 750 John Bowden Parkway. Construction is reportedly scheduled to begin April 1, with the average employee wage reportedly being $60,000 plus benefits.
According to the City, the Robinson Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1 Board and the City Council both approved economic incentive agreements with Walmart at a special meeting on Tuesday, March 12.
The agreement will require Walmart Inc. to invest at least $180 million in real property improvements and "no less than" $170 million in personal property additions as part of the project, as well as create 396 full-time jobs at an average wage of $60,000 plus health insurance benefits, said the City.
The City of Robinson said it recently constructed 3,000 feet of linear roadway to serve potential users of the Robinson Business Park.
City and McLennan County officials have voiced their excitement for the project.
“We are thrilled to welcome Walmart Inc.’s state-of-the-art fluid milk processing facility to our beloved industrial sector here in Robinson,” said Mayor of Robinson Bert Echterling.
“We are proud to welcome a company, which tops the Fortune 500, to McLennan County,” said Judge Scott M. Felton, of McLennan County. “Great appreciation goes to the Robinson City Council, its city manager, Craig Lemin and McLennan County Commissioner Jim Smith for working hand-in-hand with Walmart to ensure the necessary needs were met. This project is another example of how cities throughout McLennan County can participate in economic development. McLennan County is excited that our region has been named one of the top regions for food and beverage manufacturing businesses and this project reinforces our strength in this area.”
In consideration for Walmart meeting its obligations, the City of Robinson said it will grant back annually 70% of personal period property taxes paid by Walmart and an annual grant equal to 50% of the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone #1 (TIRZ 1) Real Property taxes generated on the property for a period of 15 years beginning on Jan. 1, 2027.
In addition, the City said it will complete Phase 2 of the John Bowden Parkway, granting access from Interstate 35 to Greig Drive, construct a temporary access road to allow Walmart to begin construction of the facility while the rest of John Bowden Parkway is under construction and construct at least an 8-inch sewer main to serve the project.
Current projections indicate the revenue generated by TIRZ 1 will be enough to cover the annual debt associated with the infrastructure improvements, said the City.
The City of Robinson said the actual value of the incentives will be based on the revenues and real property appraisal.
The City said their current projected values estimate the total incentive to Walmart over the 15 years will be around $3.895.36 million and could potentially bring around $2.65 million to the city and $3.5 million to the TIRZ for infrastructure improvements. The TIRZ estimate is reportedly based on the City and County’s contribution over the 15-year period.
According to the City, Walmart expects to begin construction on the facility around April 1, 2024. They reportedly expect the plant to be complete in February 2026.
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