Development News for Borger, Texas

Borger Inc. Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Report Approved

The City Council approved the Borger Inc. fiscal year 2025 annual report. The report includes audited financials and details various projects and growth initiatives, including the Yaka Park Estates workforce housing project, business retention efforts with Nutrien/Agrium, corridor revitalization programs, and the Main Street building project ('at the ranch'). The report also covers leading edge initiatives, where Spencer met with 39 startup clients, and details the budget. The council acknowledged the report was presented digitally due to printer issues and discussed the possibility of presenting such reports in a workshop session in the future for more in-depth review.

Borger Seeks $5 Million State Grant for Water Well Expansion

The City of Borger is requesting financial assistance from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) for water supply and infrastructure projects. The application will focus on the Northwest Well Field expansion, specifically Well 24, which has been in engineering for three years and is near ready for bidding. The city also plans to include Pump Number Three and new variable drives for pumps at the Northwest Well Field in the grant application. The TWDB has allocated $70 million for their population category, with a maximum grant amount of $10 million per project, but the city intends to request an amount not to exceed $5 million to increase their chances of funding. The project is considered shovel-ready, with most engineering completed. The grant requires full allocation by the end of the current biennium and spending by 2031. The application deadline is the end of July.

Borger Industrial Park May Require Rezoning for New Heavy Industry Development

The council discussed the rezoning requirements for the proposed 12 benefit and Novo Hydrogen industrial project. The current Borger EDC Industrial Park Unit Number One is zoned for light industry, but the new facility, which will house the 12 benefit plant, would require a rezoning to heavy industry. This rezoning aligns with the original vision for the industrial park, despite a shift to light industry in the past due to other needs. The council acknowledged that while the facility would be in proximity to existing industrial sites like Nutrien, its production processes are considered cleaner and less hazardous than many current operations. Discussions also touched on the visual aspect of the proposed structures, comparing them to refinery-like facilities, and confirmed that the hydrogen plant by Novo Hydrogen would be located outside the city limits.

Borger Approves TxDOT Agreement for Bulldog Boulevard Trail Project

The City Council approved Resolution R-010-26, an advanced funding agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for the Bulldog Boulevard sidewalk and bike trail project. This project, funded through Transportation Alternatives Set Aside (TASA) funds, will have TxDOT manage the bidding, letting, and construction management processes due to federal regulations associated with using federal development credits for the city's match. The city will provide the initial engineering. While the project will be awarded based on the lowest bid, the city anticipates it will not be overly complicated. The agreement clarifies responsibilities and allows TxDOT to handle the procurement to ensure compliance with federal requirements.