Tesla is making a significant expansion in Texas with the establishment of a new Megapack battery storage manufacturing facility in Brookshire, which is expected to bring around 1,500 jobs to the area. The Waller County Commissioners Court recently approved a tax abatement agreement to support the project, with the Brookshire City Council set to review a similar agreement at their upcoming meeting.
The new facility will be located at the Empire West industrial park on Woods Road, situated between Highway 90 and Interstate 10. Tesla will be taking over a 1 million-square-foot facility constructed by Stream Realty, as well as a new 600,000-square-foot distribution facility that will also include some manufacturing capabilities. This move comes as Tesla looks to ramp up its production of Megapacks, which are designed to store electricity for renewable energy projects and help stabilize the grid during periods when solar and wind power generation is low.
According to Vince Yokom, executive director of the Waller County Economic Development Partnership, the new facility is considered state-of-the-art and will play a crucial role in ensuring grid stability and preventing power outages. Tesla has been leasing the site since 2021, with plans to take over the space from third-party logistics firm DB Schenker, which currently manages Tesla parts.
The tax abatement agreement includes $44 million in facility improvements and $150 million in Tesla manufacturing equipment for the initial phase, with a second phase set to include a $31 million distribution facility and $2 million in equipment upgrades. Brookshire’s economic development director, Joe Esch, was instrumental in securing the agreement, which is expected to drive local investment and job growth in the area.
Overall, the establishment of this new Megapack manufacturing facility in Brookshire represents a significant milestone for Tesla as it continues to expand its operations and contribute to the development of sustainable energy solutions.