Leaked: Amazon's Tax Abatement in Hood County

by Nate Criswell

A leaked document dated October 13, 2025, has come to light, exposing the details of Hood County's controversial economic development deal with Amazon Data Services, Inc. This agreement, authorized by the Commissioners Court on October 14, involves granting substantial tax rebates to the tech giant in exchange for building and operating data centers in the area. At its core, this Chapter 381 agreement represents the epitome of corporate welfare, where public funds are siphoned away from everyday residents to benefit a massive corporation, ultimately depriving the community of much-needed revenue for local priorities such as the proposed jail expansion and road improvements.

Detailing The Agreement - read the full agreement here

Under the terms of this agreement, Amazon is set to receive rebates ranging from 60% to 75% on the property taxes they pay for each individual data center building, with these incentives lasting up to 20 years per structure. The rebates kick in only after Amazon meets a minimum capital investment of $1 billion by the end of 2028, and they scale up progressively: hitting 70% once total investments reach $3 billion, and maxing out at 75% at the $5 billion mark. Amazon is required to commence construction by January 1, 2027, and maintain the buildings for data center operations, but here's the kicker—they can terminate the agreement at any time without facing significant penalties. The so-called "community support payments" are laughably minimal, capped at a total of $9 million over the life of the deal, amounting to just 10% of the rebates received in a given year or $1.5 million annually, whichever is less. Noise levels are supposedly limited to 65 dBA at the property line, but the enforcement mechanism is feeble at best, relying on temporary withholding of rebates only after failed mitigation efforts, which does little to guarantee real protection for nearby residents.

Impact to Homeowners

This arrangement is nothing short of a fleecing of Hood County taxpayers. Amazon's massive project is projected to add between $15 billion and $20 billion in taxable value to the county, yet the rebates mean forfeiting 60-75% of the potential tax revenue from that—potentially tens of millions of dollars lost over the coming decades that could otherwise bolster local services. At the same time, Hood County voters are being asked to approve Propositions A and B on the November ballot, which would issue a combined $149 million in bonds: likely Proposition A for expanding the overcrowded jail to improve public safety, and Proposition B for critical road repairs and infrastructure upgrades to handle growing traffic and wear. Servicing this debt will inevitably lead to higher property taxes or painful cuts to other essential services, all while Amazon enjoys a heavily subsidized ride on the backs of hardworking residents who will end up paying more for the very infrastructure the company will exploit.

Commissioner Andrews Can't Decide

Now, let's turn to Precinct 1 Commissioner Kevin Andrews, who recently took to social media to air his inner turmoil in a post that reads like a confession of political indecision. He starts by questioning, "Why are we even considering concessions to a huge corporation?" and then proceeds to justify it by highlighting potential tax relief for residents (shifting 10-25% of the tax burden).

Oh, Kevin, how pitiful. We pay you to make decisions that benefit the taxpayer. You ran as a "Proven Tax Cutter". What happened? 

You're publicly admitting to "genuinely struggling" with a decision that directly contradicts the core tenets of your own Republican Party of Texas 2024 Platform. Take a look at Plank 78, titled "No Corporate Welfare," which explicitly states: "We oppose all bailouts of and subsidies to... businesses, public and private... oppose special treatment or tax breaks for favored industries or companies. We call for repeal or sunset of existing subsidy or special-interest tax exemptions, including... the Texas Enterprise Fund..." And don't forget Principle 9: "A free enterprise society unencumbered by government interference or subsidies." This deal is cronyism at its finest—government picking winners and losers by favoring Big Tech giants like Amazon over the average taxpayer, all while ignoring the platform's call for fair and uniform taxation without special favors.

Where is your courage, Commissioner? Struggling isn't leading; it's weakness. You're not fighting for the taxpayers unless you push to drastically cut these abatements or scrap them altogether. Listen to what your voters want: an end to corporate welfare that drains public coffers. No more hand-wringing excuses about past mistakes or national agendas—negotiate a deal that actually benefits Hood County residents first and foremost, not Jeff Bezos' sprawling empire. Prioritize using our tax dollars where they matter most, like fully funding safer jails and smoother roads without piling on more debt. It's time to vote no on these kinds of giveaways and demand leaders who show real spine by standing up to corporate bullies.