Judge eyes favorable Entergy announcement

Business looks to be booming in Orange County.

Entergy Texas has chosen a site near the company’s Bridge City plant as the finalist for a new $1 billion power plant, County Judge John Gothia said.

An announcement of the power company’s plan to begin the permitting for the plant could come as early as Wednesday, he said.

Also, Orange County is set to hear an Aug. 24 tax abatement request concerning the new Eagle Point medical complex which hopefully could provide details about the much-wanted project.

And the City of Orange’s Economic Development held a public hearing Tuesday afternoon regarding a $300,000 grant to a new Little Cypress housing development that could translate to 182 new homes.

Orange County Commissioner Johnny Trahan posted a photo Tuesday evening on Facebook of he and Gothia at a 2018 groundbreaking ceremony for Entergy’s $1 billion plant that opened in Willis, north of Conroe, in January, 2021.

“Glad we made it to the Ribbon Cutting for the Montgomery Power Station! Looking forward to the Ribbon Cutting for the Orange County Power Station! Power for future development.”

Earlier Tuesday, Gothia said he knew nothing about the details of a tax abatement deal being negotiated with NXO JV, LLC, the new group formed by the doctors and developers “considering an estimated $24,370,000 investment.”

The medical center and healthcare complex will be located on land donated by the Houseman Companies near the intersection of Interstate 10 and Highway 62.

Previously, the city has pledged a $1.4 expenditure for a roadway and granted a 10-year decreasing tax abatement starting at 100% the first two years and stair-stepping down to 20% for Year 10.

The targeted completion date was pushed back to 2023 in the city’s latest contract with NXO JV.

“I don’t know what the next move is. They have not given it to us,” Gothia said.

“Apparently the group is getting pretty close to where they need to be in putting this thing together. I think we’re all very excited that at one point it’s going to happen. We need it.”