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Commissioners revisit Saltillo solar reinvestment zone

Commissioners revisit Saltillo solar reinvestment zone
  • PublishedJanuary 11, 2022


Application for BT Solterra/ Comptroller’s Office

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The Hopkins County commissioners court discussed a proposed Saltillo solar installation at their first regular meeting of 2022. 

After an invocation by fire marshal Andy Endsley, the court convened at 9:00 a.m. 

SALTILLO SOLAR

The court then discussed establishing a reinvestment zone in the Saltillo community between Hopkins County and solar energy company BT Solterra. 

Newsom opened the floor for citizen comment regarding a BT Solterra reinvestment zone at 9:08 a.m. 

Although BT Solterra previously received a reinvestment zone authorization from the court on November 22, 2021, Belltown Power’s Austin Willis explained they found themselves back in court due to “an issue with the newspaper posting.” 

In the state of Texas, a proposed reinvestment zone, such as BT Solterra is seeking, must be published in writing in an area newspaper with good circulation within seven days before it is voted on, according to the Texas comptroller’s office. 

Newsom clarified that BT Solterra’s proposed reinvestment zone “didn’t get promptly published in the newspaper,” thereby necessitating that BT Solterra redo the process of obtaining a reinvestment zone. 

Per the comptroller’s office, this means the notice would have needed to be published November 15, whereas the Sulphur Springs News-Telegram reported to Front Porch News the notice was published on December 1. 

“It was just an oversight by the newspaper,” Economic development corporation director Roger Feagley claimed. “There’s no malice intended.”  

Feagley further commented on the nature of reinvestment zones. 

“A reinvestment zone is nothing more than a geographical area that you’re establishing in a county where a tax incentive may be issued in the future,” Feagley noted. 

Feagley stated he believed the investment by BT Solterra into the county was $145 million. 

Citizen Mac Pitts spoke to question why a reinvestment zone, once enacted, stays in effect for five years. 

Feagley informed Pitts it was actually the case that five years is a minimum: if renewed, a reinvestment zone can last for a maximum of ten years. Pitts had no other questions. 

The public hearing was closed at 9:11 a.m. The court unanimously approved BT Solterra’s request for a reinvestment zone. 


The court also unanimously approved a 381 agreement for BT Solterrra, the same as they had done in November 2021. 

“It’s just an incentive for them to come here,” Newsom noted. Newsom stated he believed BT Solterra would bring from $100 to $140 million to the county in terms of investment.

There was no further discussion regarding BT Solterra.

By Taylor Nye

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Written By
Taylor Nye

Taylor Nye is the editor of Front Porch News. She has degrees from the University of Wisconsin in human biology, Latin American studies, and public health. She has previously worked at the Wisconsin State Journal, Tucson Weekly and Sulphur Springs News-Telegram. As a sixth generation Hopkins County resident, she loves celebrating our heritage and history.