Economic Development

The Angelina and Neches River Authority Industrial Development Corporation (the Corporation) was created as a nonprofit corporation pursuant to the Development Corporation Act of 1979 (the Act). The Corporation was created on August 6, 1979 for the specific public purpose of acting on behalf of the Authority in the issuance of conduit bonds for the promotion and development of commercial, industrial and manufacturing enterprises to encourage employment and the public welfare.

The Authority appoints the governing body of the Corporation and has specifically authorized the Corporation to act in its behalf for the specific purpose of economic development, as outlined above, within the Authority’s jurisdiction. To accomplish the goals and objectives of the Authority, the Corporation has been an active issuer of conduit bonds for public and private purposes that meet specific criteria of the Act and prevailing state and federal tax law. Since its creation, the Authority and the Corporation have issued conduit bonds in aggregate principle of $194 million for a variety of projects.

The Authority serves the Neches River basin, which covers all or part of seventeen counties located in East and Deep East Texas. These counties include Van Zandt, Smith, Henderson, Newton, Cherokee, Anderson, Rusk, Houston, Nacogdoches, San Augustine, Shelby, Angelina, Trinity, Sabine, Polk, Jasper, and Orange.

The Authority’s jurisdiction includes over sixty cities and towns scattered throughout the 8,500 square miles that make up the Neches River basin. The area covers a broad spectrum of political support which includes over twenty state and federal elected officials.  In 2000, the population within ANRA’s jurisdiction was 492,658 people representing approximately 183,000 households. The 2010 census reported a population of 545,007 and 233,000 households representing a diverse culture with roots dating back to the early days of Texas history.  East and Deep East Texas are rich in natural resources, especially water.

For more information about funding opportunities, please contact the Authority’s administrative offices 936-632-7795.