During the Oct. 24 work session, Fort Worth Economic Development Director Robert Sturns presented the city council with a presentation proposing entering into an agreement with McLane Company, Inc. for an enterprise project designation.
The economic development office is recommending entering into a five-year program agreement equal to up to 50 percent of incremental business personal property taxes.
McLane Company is a wholesale grocery, food service and beverage distribution company headquartered in Temple. They have a network of regional distribution centers across the United States.
McLane Company plans to begin expanded operations by mid-2019.
As part of the agreement, the company:
• Proposes to hire 550 full-time employees with average wages at $55,000 by Dec. 31, 2020.
• Proposes a capital investment of $18 million in business personal property as part of a commercial lease for 650,000 square feet at 7550 Oak Grove Rd. in the Carter Industrial Park in South Fort Worth. This would be payable by Jan. 1, 2020.
• A minimum of 30 percent (165) of the full-time employees are to be Fort Worth residents.
• A minimum of 10 percent (82) of the full-time employees are to be central city residents.
• A minimum of 15 percent annual service and supply spending is to be done with Fort Worth certified minorities/women in business enterprises.
Sturns said the estimated benefit to the city would be around $362,250.
“It’s a good project,” Mayor Betsy Price added.
The council is expected to take a vote at next week’s (Oct. 30) meeting.
McLane Company is considering other sites in Oklahoma as well as Arkansas.