Downtown Incentives

Façade Grant Program
The City of Victoria finds that the protection, enhancement, and preservation of landmarks of historical importance and significance are necessary to promote the economic, cultural, educational and general welfare of the public. It is recognized that the historic resources of the City represent the unique confluence of time and place that have shaped the identity of generations of citizens, collectively and individually, and these resources constitute the heritage of the citizens of Victoria.

Façade Grant Program Guidelines

Façade Grant Program Application

Tax Abatements
Tax abatement programs reduce or eliminate the amount of property tax property owners pay on new construction or rehabilitation on major improvements. The purpose of these programs is to attract buyers to locations with lowers demand, such as city neighborhoods being revitalized. Economic qualifications include an increase to the appraised value of the property equal to or in excess of $500,000. The company must add a minimum of ten (10) full-time positions. For Victoria, abatements are granted for up to eight (8) years.

Texas Pace Authority
Property Assessed Clean Energy (TX-PACE) is a proven financial tool that incentivizes Texas' property owners to upgrade facility infrastructure with little or no capital outlay. Approved by State legislation and established by local governments, TX-PACE programs enable owners to lower their operating costs and use the savings to pay for eligible water conservation, energy efficiency, resiliency, and distributed generation projects. Owners gain access to private, affordable, long-term (typically 10-20 years) financing that is not available through traditional funding avenues.

Texas Historical Commission Certified Local Government Program (CLG)
CLG grants provide funding to participating city and county governments to develop and sustain an effective local preservation program critical to preserving local historic resources. The grants can be used for local historic preservation projects, including surveys of historic properties/districts, preparation of nominations to the National Register of Historic Places and other community-based preservation projects.

Opportunity Zones
Opportunity Zones is a new community development program established by the United States Congress in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 to encourage long-term investments in low-income urban and rural communities nationwide. The Opportunity Zones program provides a tax incentive for investors to re-invest their unrealized capital gains into Qualified Opportunity Funds (QOFs) that are dedicated to investing into Opportunity Zones designated by the chief executives of every U.S. state and territory.

Texas Department of Agriculture, Texas Capital Fund, Main Street Improvements
Texas Department of Agriculture, Texas Capital Fund, Main Street Improvement Program. (Note: This source cannot be accessed by Corpus Christi as it is only for non-entitlement communities.) This program provides eligible Texas Main Street communities with matching grants to expand or enhance public infrastructure in historic Main Street districts. The program aids in eliminating handicap barriers and deteriorated conditions in the downtown. Grants range from $50,000 to $150,000 per community. Through this partnership with the Texas Department of Agriculture, designated Main Street Programs have received more than $11.1 million in grants and leveraged more than $23.7 million in projects.

Texas Department of Agriculture, Infrastructure Development Fund
This program provides grants for infrastructure development to create or retain permanent jobs in primarily rural communities and counties. The funds are for public and private infrastructure projects and are intended to encourage new business development and expansion. Applications are accepted on the 20th of each month. These grants, which are available to non-entitlement communities as defined by the federal government or to county governments, range from $50,000 to $1.5 million.

EDA Grants
Economic Development Administration (EDA) assistance programs provide economically distressed communities and regions with comprehensive and flexible resources to address a wide variety of economic needs. Projects funded by these programs will support work in Opportunity Zones and will support the mission of the department by, among other things, leading to the creation and retention of jobs and increased private investment, advancing innovation, enhancing the manufacturing capacities of regions, providing workforce development opportunities, and growing ecosystems that attract foreign direct investment.

Historic Preservation Tax Credits (State and National)
While not directly a funding source, preservation tax credits are an important tool for economic development in the historic downtown. There is a 20% federal income tax credit for the rehabilitation of historic, income-producing buildings and a 10% income tax credit for rehabilitation of non-historic buildings. There is also a state sales tax exemption on labor for work on buildings listed in the National Register of Historic Places. In 2014, a state franchise tax credit for preservation work was activated for up to 25% of rehabilitation costs. The owner of a historic property donating a preservation easement may also be eligible for a federal income tax deduction.

Chapter 380 Agreements
Chapter 380 of the Local Government Code allows for the governing body of a municipality to establish and provide for the administration of one or more programs, including programs for making loans and grants of public money and providing personnel and services of the municipality, to promote state or local economic development and to stimulate business and commercial activity in the municipality.

Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones (TIRZs)
TIRZs are special zones created by City Council to attract new investment in an area. They act as a tool for local governments to use to finance public improvements and infrastructure within a defined area. This is not a new tax or an increase in tax rate.

TIRZ Benefits

Victoria Downtown TIRZ Map(Preliminary)

Council Meeting Presentation - December 7th, 2021

Frequently Asked Questions

I want to purchase/lease a building. Can I find out what permits may be required prior to signing anything?
Yes, contact the Development Services Center to schedule a Commercial Inspection. A City Building Inspector and Fire Marshall will walk through the building with you and point out items that may need to be repaired or addressed prior to your occupancy of the building.

I want to make changes to my building. Do I need approval before I begin?
Yes, contact the Development Services Center prior to commencing any work. Some cosmetic changes such as paint and flooring do not require permits.

How do I obtain all of the correct permits I need to make changes to my building?
The process begins with a pre-application meeting arranged through Planning Services. The appropriate staff members will attend the meeting to discuss your project and the required permits. You are encouraged to bring any conceptual materials to the meeting.

Is a fire sprinkler system required in my building?
Not every building use requires a fire sprinkler system. However, some types of uses and occupant loads may require the installation of a system.

I want to put up a new business sign. Do I need a permit and/or approval?
Yes, a sign permit is required for all new signs being installed. Contact the Development Services Center for details on the application and permit requirements.

Can I put up a temporary banner?
Yes, if your permanent sign has been ordered and not yet installed, you can apply for a Sign Pre-Installation Banner Permit at the Development Services Center. This banner permit will be good for 60 days. Temporary banner may also refer to a promotional banner that temporarily advertises your business. This banner is allowed under a $30 monthly permit.

Can I convert a second floor of my building into a residential loft?
The use of second floors for residential purposes is possible and encouraged. However, there a few items that must be considered. Primarily, a fire escape exit that is separate from that of the downstairs occupancy must be present. Building codes may also require a fire sprinkler system if the downstairs use is a bar or restaurant.