Mexico-Based Food Processor Coming To Bryan

The Brazos County Commission and Bryan City Council agreed Tuesday to economic development incentives for a new employer.

Todd McDaniel of the Research Valley Partnership says Gunler Foods, based in Mexico with its U.S. offices at The Woodlands, will be buying 25 acres at the Texas Triangle business park north of Bryan.

McDaniel says Gunler will produce plastic bottles that will be filled with soybean, vegetable, and other edible oils that will be labeled and shipped to Mexico and Central America for Wal-Mart International.

Todd McDaniel comments on what Gunler will do in Bryan.

Tom Phillips with Gunler Real Estate told the Bryan City Council production would start in July or August.

Phillips says 65 employees would be hired in April or May, most of them locally. Asked about pay, Phillips says the “cumulative average” per employee would be $30,000.

The agreement calls for total employment of 235 with an annual payroll of $6.5 million dollars.

McDaniel says the Brazos County Commission approved a property tax abatement for five years. According to the proposed agreement submitted to the commission, there would be a 100 percent abatement this year, 90% in 2013, 70% in 2014, 60% in 2015, and 50% in 2016. Starting in 2017 there will be no tax break.

Gunler agrees to build and maintain a 100,000 square foot building that will add at least $20 million dollars in taxable value.

Gunler also agrees to pay the City of Bryan 30% of what would be the ad valorem taxes due, which would increase to 60% during the renewal term.

McDaniel says the effort to recruit Gunler intensified last fall after learning the company’s initial finalists couldn’t provide the speed to market readiness and didn’t have the rail service Union Pacific could provide in Bryan.

Todd McDaniel comments on recruiting Gunler to Bryan.