Priorities & Incentives
MED Current Priorities
The priorities listed were drawn from the MED Five-Year Focus on Projects strategic plan, as well as insights gathered from board workshops and ongoing market study.
These priorities serve as a guide for both the MED Board and City Council when considering how to invest MED funds in future projects. We welcome proposals from companies, property owners, developers, and government entities whose projects align with MED priorities. Funding decisions are made on a case-by-case basis and are formalized in a performance agreement. Each proposal is carefully evaluated for its community benefit. To begin the process, interested applicants should submit a project concept plan along with financial information for MED’s review
PRIORITY 1 – PRIMARY JOBS
($5 million each year)
The MED seeks to attract “Primary Job” employers companies that export products or services and bring new money into the local economy by pursuing long-term corporate partners that provide high-skilled, well-paying jobs, promote technology, and have a low impact on community infrastructure. Under Section 501.101 of the Act, the MED can fund land, buildings, equipment, facilities, infrastructure, and improvements that directly benefit these employers and the community, while also working with developers to ensure Midlothian has quality facilities and development-ready sites available.
PRIORITY 2 – CAREER CENTER
(25% of remaining reserves; $7.45 million/5-years)
The MED seeks to attract “Primary Job” employers—companies that export products or services and bring new money into the local economy—by pursuing long-term partners that provide high-skilled, well-paying jobs, promote technology, and have a low impact on community infrastructure. In accordance with Section 501.105 of the Act, the MED may fund land, buildings, equipment, facilities, and infrastructure improvements for a career center, with special consideration given to occupations and industries that pay above the Ellis County average wage.
PRIORITY 3 – DOWNTOWN
($8 million/5-years)
The MED, in partnership with the city, seeks to revive downtown helping it to create a stronger community identity, vibrancy, opportunity for employment, and community interaction.
Under Section 501.103 of the Act, the MED will provide funding for infrastructure improvements associated with the seven catalyst projects outlined in the Downtown Plan which include: (1) A new town square, (2) refining 8th street from Main Street to Avenue D, (3) Avenue F as a new “green street” spine, (4) Main Street as an asset, (5) adaptive reuse to activate 7th street, (6) carry back-alley plaza northward, and (7) activate rail yard.
PRIORITY 4 – AIRPORT
($4 million/5-years)
The MED aims to position Mid-Way Regional Airport as the region’s preferred business aviation hub and a key economic development asset for Midlothian and Waxahachie. Targeted aviation uses, such as maintenance-repair and overhaul, fixed-base operators, low-volume air cargo, and training facilities will be pursued to align with the airport’s development constraints and surrounding land uses. In accordance with Sections 501.101 and 501.103 of the Act, the MED may fund efforts to attract aviation users that create Primary Jobs and support infrastructure improvements that expand business activity at the airport, while also prioritizing land acquisition for expansion and leveraging federal and state transportation funds whenever possible.
PRIORITY 5 – DESTINATION DEVELOPMENT
($3 million/5-years)
The MED seeks the development of restaurants, entertainment, and other activity uses that create unique opportunities for our residents to enjoy and reinforce Midlothian’s local character. These destinations should demonstrate quality building finishes and landscaping while also providing a positive financial return for the community.
The MED will provide funding for qualified public and private infrastructure improvements in accordance with Section 501.103 of the Act. Special consideration should be made for viable projects that align with the other five priorities.
PRIORITY 6 – OFFICE
($1.5 million/5-years)
The MED seeks the long-term diversification of our economic base and envisions a robust market driven, multi-story, low rise office market along the Highway 287 corridor. The office space should be tailored to attract headquarters, professional office, technology, and medical office users.
The MED will provide land, buildings, equipment, facilities, and infrastructure improvements in accordance with Sections 501.101 and 501.103 of the Act. Initial efforts should be made to secure landholdings for future office development. Long-term, the MED should leverage the development community to build multi-story, class A office space along the Highway 287 corridor.
State & Local Incentives
Midlothian Economic Development (“MED”) acts as a single point of contact for projects seeking to locate or expand in Midlothian. Each project will be evaluated by Midlothian Economic Development to determine the most appropriate organization to participate with your individual project.
MED Downtown Catalyst Grant – In effort to implement Midlothian’s Downtown Plan, the MED has allocated funding to be used to implement infrastructure improvements associated with the seven catalyst projects. The catalyst projects include: (a) a new town square, (b) refining 8th street from Main Street to Avenue D, (c) Avenue F as a new “green street” spine, (d) Main Street as an asset, (e) adaptive reuse to activate 7th street, (f) carry back alley plaza northward, and (g) activate rail yard. Specific details on the catalyst projects can be found in the Downtown Plan. The funding is available for public and private investment. Interested applicants should review the MED Downtown Catalyst Funding Grant program guidelines.
MED/MCDC Grants – Midlothian Economic Development and Midlothian Community Development Corporation (“MCDC”) are two organizations that were created by Midlothian voters to grow our local economy. Midlothian Economic Development is a Type A corporation that receives 0.5% of all sales and use taxes generated in Midlothian. Midlothian Economic Development can use its funds to (1) recruit and retain primary job employers, (2) undertake certain job training programs, (3) pay for infrastructure improvements that promote new or expanded business enterprises, and (4) pay for capital improvements for career centers. The MCDC is a Type B corporation that also receives 0.5% of all sales and use taxes generated in Midlothian. The MCDC can use its fund for all Type A projects plus (1) projects related to recreational or community facilities, (2) affordable housing, (3) water supply facilities and conservation programs, and (4) sports venues with voter approval.
MDA Infrastructure Grants – Midlothian Development Authority (“MDA”) operates as a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) within a defined area at the RailPort Business park. The RailPort TIRZ was created in 1998 and is one of the most successful TIRZ in Texas. The Ad valorem tax revenue from the city, school district, and county are used by the TIRZ to fund public infrastructure projects that benefit the zone.
Tax Abatements – The City of Midlothian and Ellis County offer tax abatements in accordance with Chapter 312 of the Texas Tax Code. Tax abatements reduce the value of the new taxable property and thereby lower the overall ad valorem taxes paid by the company. Tax abatements are available on real and personal property. Each tax abatement is negotiated on a case-by-case basis. The city of Midlothian uses tax abatements to incentivize projects with a significant local impact and pay wages above the county average.
State Incentives – There are three main incentives that are applicable to projects seeking to relocate or expand in Midlothian, they include (1) the Texas Enterprise Fund which is a “deal-closing” fund used when Texas is competing with another state, (2) the Texas Enterprise Zone Program which provide grants for hiring workers from targeted areas, and (3) the Texas Data Center Exemption which exempts certain items from state and local sales tax.
Workforce Programs – Midlothian is served by two strong educational partners, Navarro College and Texas State Technical College North Texas. Each institution has extensive experience working with new and existing companies to apply for Skills Development Fund grants and other grants that provide free training for companies.