Willis anticipates a boost of nearly $500,000 in monthly tax revenue spurred by a new grocery store opening in a shopping center that city officials have called “the largest development project."
The 200,000 square foot shopping center off Interstate 45 also includes a MOD Pizza, Great Clips and McAlister's Deli alongside dentists, eyewear companies and salons.
With the opening of the new H-E-B supermarket earlier this month, Willis City Manager Sheyi I. Ipaye said he anticipates the supermarket to add more than $100,000 in sales and use tax revenue.
“(The Market at Willis Shopping Center’s) estimated worth after completion is expected to be more than $100 million,” Ipaye said.
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More than $300,000 was collected in sales and use tax for the month of October, according to a report on the Texas Comptroller's website.
“What we bring in on average is about $250,000 to $275,000, Ipaye said by phone. “And with the establishment of H-E-B … it’s going to be running close to half a million a month.”
He said the San Antonio-based supermarket chain plans to hire locally and to support the local economy.
In an email statement, Mayor Leonard Reed said the new development brings "excitement to our Willis citizens to shop in nationally recognized stores within walking distance of their homes ... also stimulate more interest from other companies that want to invest in our city as the migration from Houston continues and more people relocate to Texas."
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The supermarket is one of several businesses developments in the works for the city of nearly 9,000 residents.
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