Kaufman County and Hunt County, TX
Engagement Strategy
Located in the northeastern part of Texas, just to the east of Dallas, Kaufman and Hunt counties boarder each other, with Hunt to the north and Kaufman to the south. Hunt County has a population of 103,394, and is home to a few notable places including Lake Tawakoni and Texas A&M University-Commerce. Kaufman County has a population of 157,768 and is the second fastest growing county in Texas. While both counties are in close proximity to Dallas, the "big city" has not made much of a dent in the residents and decision makers of the county.
Texas has no systematic state-wide siting requirements for solar array developments. Siting rules are largely left to counties, towns, municipalities, and/or cities in which a proposed solar development will reside. There is no zoning in the unincorporated counties. Applications/requests for tax abatement on economic development require a public hearing with a 30-day notice of consideration issued by the County Commissioners Court.
Because the Commissioner's Courts for each county will be making the decision on tax abatements, good relationships with them are important to get the tax abatement we need to make the project feasible. We will also want to reach out to other influential members of each, like the Judge that sits on each of the courts, economic development bodies and the closest Chambers of Commerce. Building relationships early will allow us to get an idea about the temperature of the Commissioners, as well as foster introductions. Lastly, we'll keep on eye on any other potential developments in the area, as well as keep our ear to the ground to flag any descent in the area early on.
INITIAL STRATEGIC ANALYSIS:
Following is our BAM (Brave, Alert, Motivated) analysis. This tool helps focus our situational awareness on the most important, actionable factors.
Texas has no systematic state-wide siting requirements for solar array developments. Siting rules are largely left to counties, towns, municipalities, and/or cities in which a proposed solar development will reside. There is no zoning in the unincorporated counties. Applications/requests for tax abatement on economic development require a public hearing with a 30-day notice of consideration issued by the County Commissioners Court.
Because the Commissioner's Courts for each county will be making the decision on tax abatements, good relationships with them are important to get the tax abatement we need to make the project feasible. We will also want to reach out to other influential members of each, like the Judge that sits on each of the courts, economic development bodies and the closest Chambers of Commerce. Building relationships early will allow us to get an idea about the temperature of the Commissioners, as well as foster introductions. Lastly, we'll keep on eye on any other potential developments in the area, as well as keep our ear to the ground to flag any descent in the area early on.
INITIAL STRATEGIC ANALYSIS:
Following is our BAM (Brave, Alert, Motivated) analysis. This tool helps focus our situational awareness on the most important, actionable factors.
Brave - Why do we have confidence in success?
- A favorable permitting process. Without any specific siting requirements needed, and two county commissioners courts who have been willing to grant tax abatements in the past, the path forward appears clear.
- Location. This project is removed from any of the bigger towns/cities in both counties, where more vocal opposition have a history of growing quickly.
- Solar is part of solving Texas energy problems. We’ve seen plenty of discussion in the area and the state in general about how solar will help feed the grid and make it even more resilient when weather and other natural disasters hit.
Alert - What threats or misperceptions do we need to overcome?
- Hunt County’s recent conversations about tax abatements. While the result of reconsidering the tax abatement terms was favorable for the three projects under review, these are now top of mind for the Commissioner’s Court and residents who might have been paying attention.
- Proximity to Lake Tawakoni. Our project doesn’t come within the 5,000 ft mark of the lake, but concerns could still arise that the project will have a negative environmental impact on the lake and recreation area around it.
- Two red counties. While there hasn’t been an real outcry about renewable energy development in either county, they lean more toward the deep red rather than the moderate red, both residents and decision makers. Hunters disgruntled with federal intervention on their hunting ranches could induce partisanship opposition against solar.
Motivated - Which opportunities excite us?
- This should be the landowners' decision. As long as they are following what rules there are, it should be up the landowners what they do with their land.
- Local partnership opportunities. With two counties, including one with a major university, and lots of potential partnership opportunities close to the project, this area is rife with the opportunity to build relationships and give back to the community.
- A strong first landowner. With Mr. Williams already having signed land, and potentially signing more, we have a good starting point for a vocal supporter who can get others on board.
Goal: Introduce ourselves to key thought leaders and the Commissioners Court members.
- Build Mr. Williams into a vocal advocate. As you continue to work on land acquisition with him, start further educating him on the project and its benefits, not just to other landowners, but also the broader community. Once he is confident enough we can get him out in the community, talking to friends and family, and start growing a supporter base.
- At the same time, we will begin working on building relationships with respected and knowledgeable thought leaders in both counties. This includes the County Economic Development Directors - Dona Huerta-Simmons with Kaufman and Paul Kelley with Hunt - and the heads of the two Chambers closest to the project - the Terrell Chamber of Commerce in Kaufman County and the Tawakoni Regional Chamber of Commerce in Hunt. Our goal here is to foster a good relationship with these folks, get their take on their communities, and get intel on the Commissioners Court. We also want to make sure we are talking about the benefits that this project will bring.
Lastly, we will start reaching out to the Commissioners Courts. While we might be awhile away from applying for a tax abatement, we can start slowly and gently using this time to introduces ourselves, the project, and what it can do for their counties. We can use our relationships we are building with our thought leaders and their connections to help foster these meetings.
Goal: Use what we learned in Phase I as we reach out to the broader community, prioritizing any connections the initial group of stakeholders recommends. We will build relationships, garner positive press, and educate the community on the project and its benefits.
- Lean on economic development. Leverage our relationships we've built with thought leaders in the community to educate others in their organizations on project economic benefits and build a base of support there.
- Non-profits, schools, energy and religious organizations. Continue to expand our outreach to leaders in other areas, tailoring messaging as appropriate to each group.
- Launch a coordinated digital and earned media campaign. Content should be aimed at driving the positive narrative about how solar energy is important for economic development in the region, as well as Vesper being a proactive, good neighbor.
