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Orange County got some good news Tuesday. Mark Viator with Jefferson Energy appeared at the Commissioners Court with checks in hand to pay the county. Viator thanked the Commissioners Court and the county Economic Development Corporation for granting Jefferson Energy tax abatement.
Speaking during the time for citizen’s comments, Viator said he had four checks for the county including payment in lieu of taxes and for Jefferson Energy’s yearly taxes. “When people talk about economic development, tax abatement and tax incentives are very important to the companies. I want to thank you for what you’ve done for us. You’ve helped us be able to expand and create economic development in Orange County. It’s really important it means a lot to us, and we hope to continue to expand in Orange County,” Viator expressed.
Since 2014 when Viator first approached the Orange County Economic Development Corporation for tax abatement, Jefferson Energy has expanded the facility in Orange County at the Port of Beaumont. Viator informed that Jefferson Energy now employs 165 workers and represents an over $300 million investment in the county. Further expansion includes exporting fuel to Mexico by rail.
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