Financing plans for a potential $520 million downtown district in Fulshear remain under review. 

About the project: Joe Veytia, a representative of 1093 FTS LLC, said there would be two separate projects: Fulshear Town Square along FM 1093 and Fulshear Village Luxury Lofts between Wallis and Main Streets. 

The projects could include several attractions on site, including:

• Apartments

• A hotel

• A sports complex

• Restaurants

• Retail

• A convention center

• Parking

• Office space

“These projects will transform these properties that today contribute very little tax revenue into developments that will generate millions of dollars in annual economic activity,” Veytia said.

The breakdown: 1093 FTS LLC is seeking to use Fulshear’s existing municipal management district, or MMD, to create a self-imposed tax of $1.41 within the district to assist in paying for public improvements. 

Other requests made by 1093 FTS LLC include the purchase of two properties near FM 359 at their appraised value, entering into a Chapter 380 agreement and the public improvements being tax-exempt during construction. 

Fort Bend County has added economic incentives as Tesla works to choose a final site for its new manufacturing facility.

The proposed $10.1 billion capital project, also referred to as Project Crystal Sun, could bring a solar cell manufacturing facility to a portion of a 3,057-acre site at FM 1994 and FM 762 within Lamar Consolidated ISD’s boundaries, Community Impact reported.

What you need to know: At an Oct. 22 meeting, Fort Bend County commissioners approved a series of economic incentives that would make the county a more favorable option than the company’s other considered option that has not been publicly revealed.

Fort Bend County commissioners previously approved a reinvestment zone near FM 762 and FM 1994 at an Aug. 24 meeting.

The approved incentives include:

• A tax abatement

• A grant agreement

• Participation in the foreign trade zone program

• A True Up PILOT agreement

Looking ahead: If the Fort Bend County site is selected, the facility would start operations in the first quarter of 2029, according to Lamar CISD’s website.

The Shoppes at Juniper Lane is set to open its doors in Villagio Town Center in Cinco Ranch, owners Christi and Jim Brzezicki confirmed.

What to expect: The business will provide a space for local makers to sell products including home decor, gifts, apparel, jewelry, candles, handmade pieces, artisan finds and seasonal decor, Christi Brzezicki said.

Also of note: Christi Brzezicki said the shop is much different from a traditional vendor shop that features rows of booths; instead, the business aims to be an open-concept luxury boutique where everything feels thoughtfully curated.

"More than anything, we want The Shoppes to give Katy something a little different: a place to discover local makers, support small businesses, find beautiful and unique things you won’t see everywhere else, and actually enjoy the experience of shopping," Christi Brzezicki said.

• 22762 Westheimer Parkway, Ste. B240, Katy

Fort Bend County Tax Assessor-Collector Carmen P. Turner was indicted Oct. 22 on federal charges following at least two years of investigation, Bobby Eberle, the director of communications for the county judge, said at an Oct. 22 county press conference.

What happened: Turner and two people in her office were arrested Oct. 22 for using county money to hire two employees to care for Turner’s mother, U.S. Attorney Aaron Reitz said at an Oct. 22 press conference. The trio was charged with conspiracy to commit fraud, theft concerning federal money and wire fraud.

Reitz said he suspects Turner used tens or hundreds of thousands of county dollars, but the exact amount will become clearer as the case unfolds. However, Eberle said it is important to note that Turner has not been convicted and remains in charge of the office.

The background: Turner assumed her elected position in 2021, leading the Tax Assessor-Collector office, which collects property taxes. Her term is currently set to end in 2028.

The Harris County Flood Control District is on track to complete its disaster recovery projects, HCFCD Executive Director Marcus Stuckett said.

At a glance: The county’s 11 disaster recovery projects, funded through federal grants, are no longer in jeopardy of missing a spending deadline after the Texas General Land Office extended the timeline by a year.

Zooming in: Key details regarding the funding and deadlines include:

• The GLO disbursed $322 million to Harris County following Hurricane Harvey, and the county allocated $546 million to the HCFCD.

• The HCFCD has $113 million in unallocated funding for disaster recovery projects, which Stuckett said will not jeopardize project completion.

• Disaster recovery projects now have a deadline of February 2028.

If a deadline is missed, GLO Commissioner Dawn Buckingham warned the state would reallocate the unused balance to other "shovel-ready projects."