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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 5735-05-2023A Resolution NO. 5735-05-2023 NOMINATING ALCON RESEARCH, LLC AT 6201 SOUTH FREEWAY AS AN ENTERPRISE PROJECT PURSUANT TO THE TEXAS ENTERPRISE ZONE ACT, CHAPTER 2303, OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE WHEREAS, on November 4, 2003 the City Council of the City of Fort Worth (the "City") previously adopted Ordinance No. 15733 electing to participate in the Texas Enterprise Zone Program; and WHEREAS, on May 12, 2015 the City Council of the City adopted Ordinance No. 21743-05-2015 amending Ordinance No. 15733 by adding additional potential local incentives that could be made available to qualified businesses under the Texas Enterprise Zone Program; and the local incentives available pursuant to this Resolution are the same on this date as were outlined in Ordinance No. 21743-05-2015; and WHEREAS, the Office of the Governor, Economic Development and Tourism (EDC), through the Economic Development Bank ("Bank"), will consider Alcon Research, LLC as an enterprise project pursuant to a nomination and an application made by the City; and WHEREAS, the City desires to pursue the creation of the proper economic and social environment in order to induce the investment of private resources in productive business enterprises located in the City and to provide employment to residents of enterprise zones and to other economically disadvantaged individuals; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Chapter 2303, Subchapter F of the Texas Enterprise Zone Act, Texas Government Code (the "Act"), Alcon Research, LLC has applied to the City for designation as an enterprise project; and WHEREAS, the City finds Alcon Research, LLC meets the criteria for designation as an enterprise project under Chapter 2303, Subchapter F of the Act on the following grounds: 1. Alcon Research, LLC is a "qualified business" under Section 2303.402 of the Act since it will be engaged in the active conduct of a trade or business at a qualified business site within the governing body's jurisdiction located outside an enterprise zone, and at least thirty-five percent (35%) of the business's new employees will be residents of an enterprise zone, economically disadvantaged individuals or veterans; and 2. There has been and will continue to be a high level of cooperation between public, private, and neighborhood entities within the area; and 3. The designation of Alcon Research, LLC as an enterprise project will contribute significantly to the achievement of the plans of the City for development and revitalization of the area; and WHEREAS, the City finds that Alcon Research, LLC meets the criteria for tax relief and other incentives adopted by the City and nominates Alcon Research, LLC for enterprise project status on the grounds that it is located at the qualified business site and will create a higher level of employment, economic activity and stability in the area; and WHEREAS, the City finds that it is in the best interest of the City to nominate Alcon Research, LLC as an enterprise project pursuant to the Act; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS: THAT the findings of the City and its actions approving this Resolution taken at the Council meeting are hereby approved and adopted. 2. THAT Alcon Research, LLC is a "qualified business," as defined in Section 2303.402 of the Act, and meets the criteria for designation as an enterprise project, as set forth in Section 2303, Subchapter F of the Act. 3. THAT the enterprise project shall take effect on the date of designation of the enterprise project by the Bank and terminate five (5) years after the date of designation. Adopted this 23d day of May 2023. ATTEST: By: u Jannette S. Goodall, City Secretary ,-Q, nn A p 0. City of Fort Worth, Texas Mayor and Council Communication DATE: 05/23/23 M&C FILE NUMBER: M&C 23-0407 LOG NAME: 17ALCONRESEARCH TEZ SUBJECT (CD 8 / Future CD 8) Adopt Resolution Nominating Alcon Research, LLC,'s Facility Located at 6201 South Freeway as an Enterprise Project Pursuant to the Texas Enterprise Zone Act, Chapter 2303 of the Texas Government Code RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council adopt the attached resolution nominating Alcon Research, LLC,'s facility located at 6201 South Freeway as an Enterprise Project Pursuant to the Texas Enterprise Zone Act, Chapter 2303 of the Texas Government Code. DISCUSSION: The City Council of the City of Fort Worth (City) has previously passed Ordinance No. 15733 electing to participate in the Texas Enterprise Zone Program. On May 12, 2015 the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 21743-05-2015, amending Ordinance No. 15733 by adding additional potential local incentives that could be made available to qualified businesses under the Texas Enterprise Zone Program. The Office of the Governor Economic Development and Tourism through the Economic Development Bank will consider Alcon Research, LLC (Alcon Research) as an enterprise project pursuant to a nomination and an application made by the City. The Texas Enterprise Zone Program is an economic development tool for local communities to partner with the State of Texas to promote job creation and capital investment in economically distressed areas of the State. An enterprise project is defined as a business that is nominated by a municipality or county and then approved for state benefits. Designated projects are eligible to apply for state sales and use tax refunds on qualified expenditures. The level and amount of refund is related to the capital investment and jobs created at the qualified business site. Alcon Research qualifies for a single Enterprise Project Designation with a planned capital investment of approximately $153 million. The investments will be made in all functional areas of its manufacturing operations including packaging, filling, compounding, support operations, utilities, as well as considerable investment to continue its ongoing expansion of manufacturing capability and capacity of surgical devices. These facility improvements and upgrades will allow Alcon Research to continue to provide a high -quality product to its local customers and beyond. Alcon Research anticipates investing $153 million at its Fort Worth facility from January 24, 2023 to June 1, 2028. The company is investing in all functional areas of its manufacturing operations including packaging, filing, compounding, support operations, utilities, as well as its "Visco" packaging process to continue its ongoing expansion of manufacturing capability and capability of surgical devices. Over the five year period, $30 million has been allocated to replace rollup doors, upgrade Lab Information Technology equipment, and the creation and implementation of a variety of safety projects. $26 million will be used on utility related projects to upgrade and modernize its humidification piping along with several sterilizer stations and the replacement of water for injection stills and the purchase of new compressors. An additional $30 million will be used in its packaging operations to replace multiple line cartoners and upgrade its PkE Molds. Alcon Research LLC will be upgrading multiple filler lines over the next five years which is expected to cost $25 million. The $75 million Visco packaging project will continue throughout the five-year designation as it expands its packaging capability If designated as an enterprise project by the State of Texas, Alcon Research commits to hiring thirty-five percent (35%) economically disadvantaged persons or enterprise zone residents or veterans for its new certified jobs at its Fort Worth facility during its enterprise project designation. Alcon Research expects to retain all 1,047 full-time jobs for benefit under the Enterprise Zone Program. The existing jobs have an average wage of $71,163.00. No new jobs are anticipated at this time. The single project designation allows for a state sales and use tax refund on qualified expenditures of $2,500.00 per job, for up to 500 jobs, with a maximum benefit of $1.25 million over a five-year period. Under the Texas Enterprise Zone Act, at least twenty-five percent of the business' new or retained employees will be residents of an enterprise zone, economically disadvantaged individuals or veterans. In addition, the jobs will be provided through the end of the designation period or at least three years after the date on which a state benefit is received, whichever is later. The project is located in Council District 8/Future Council District 8. A Form 1295 is not required because: This M&C does not request approval of a contract with a business entity. FISCAL INFORMATION / CERTIFICATION: The Director of Finance certifies that approval of this recommendation will have no material effect on City funds. Submitted for City Manager's Office W. William Johnson 5806 Originating Business Unit Head: Robert Sturns 2663 Additional Information Contact: Cherie Gordon 0652 Expedited