On Monday, New Braunfels City Council gave the green light to an economic development agreement that's set to catalyze the expansion of Aumovio, a new name on the automotive tech scene but a familiar player in town. This company used to go by Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. and they've been around since 2022 when they set up shop with a considerable 215,000-square-foot facility.
According to the local Government's announcement, with City Council's approval, Aumovio is looking to throw down an additional 65,000 square feet to their establishment. The move rings in at a hefty $110 million of new capital investment, and it's expected to boost not only the company's footprint but also the city's economy. The detail that slipped in, is the inclusion of a 65%, 10-year property tax break for the expansion, though the current facility will continue to be taxed in full.
The numbers tell a story of growth and commitment. Aumovio's workforce already tops 400 employees, wielding an annual payroll hitting somewhere between $35.9 and $42.1 million. The newly inked deal unwinds a previous Chapter 380 tax rebate, switching it up for this fresh agreement that's also set to sprinkle in some rebates on building and impact fees, courtesy of the New Braunfels Economic Development Corporation (NBEDC), though the exact numbers are still cooking.
"Aumovio's continued investment in New Braunfels is a clear vote of confidence in our city's workforce, business climate, and infrastructure," Jeff Jewell, the Economic and Community Development Director, shared in a statement. The expansion he said, not only promises high-paying jobs but cements the city's spot as a nexus for automotive innovation. Despite the promise of progress, the city's full collection of property taxes from Aumovio's original base will still pour in around $700,000 a year into municipal coffers.
The stage for this economic dance was set up last November when the New Braunfels City Council stamped a reinvestment zone designation necessary for such tax breaks. With the City's end of the bargain buttoned up, it's now up to the NBEDC to finalize their slice of participation. Shovels aren't expected to hit the ground until the summer of 2026, but anticipation for the new jobs and local supplier opportunities has already begun to build. For more intel on the city's economic and community development efforts, curious minds can head over to the New Braunfels government site.
