Brownwood News – The Early City Council on Monday, July 29, approved a funding request, not to exceed $33,000, to High Point Asset Management of College Station.  The developer plans to bring a Family Dollar to the old Big G location on Early Blvd.

According to Early City Administrator, Tony Aaron, plans call for a complete renovation of the property.  “They’re basically going in and gutting the interior, putting all new HVAC, new parking lots, new lighting.  Family Dollar would come in and build out the complete interior of that project,” Aaron said.  He added that the project cost is upwards of two million dollars.  The grant request approved by City Council is for site improvement and infrastructure.  “We like to look at our return on investment.  When we see the projected sales that a Family Dollar and the new sales tax that will be brought in to the city of Early, new property tax brought in directly to the city of Early and additionally the property tax that will go to the school district and Brown County, the return on investment was very rapid, as quick as one year on the funds that will be granted,” Aaron said.  As part of the agreement, the developer will be required to report, for three years, their sales tax, their property tax, the number of jobs created and maintain those for a period of three years.

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Aaron said Early hasn’t had any dollar stores to this point.  Dollar General is also coming to the community on the east side of town at Highway 377 and FM 3100.  “We’re happy because it’s new revenue, a new source of money that we’re not losing elsewhere and that money, sales tax and property tax, is what goes for our police, our fire, our streets, our parks.  It’s a way that we that we don’t have to hit people on their property tax,” Aaron said.

There are still some final details but the developer is hoping to start the project by September.