At its Oct. 27 meeting, the Allen City Council voted unanimously to nominate Jack Henry and Associates for a Texas Enterprise Zone grant. The move could unlock more than $5 million in private investment and add ten full‑time positions to the company’s Allen campus over the next five years.
Why the grant matters for Allen
Jack Henry and Associates, an information‑technology services firm founded in Missouri in 1976, has been a fixture in Allen for nearly three decades. The company operates two facilities in the city: an office at 1021 S. Central Expressway and a data center at 816 Allen Commerce Parkway. According to Dan Bowman, president and CEO of the Allen Economic Development Corp., the grant would help the firm keep 490 existing jobs and create ten new ones, reinforcing the local workforce.
How the Enterprise Zone program works
The Texas Enterprise Zone Program is designed to retain and expand businesses that contribute to local economies. To qualify, Jack Henry must spend at least $5 million in Allen over five years. In return, the company could receive a sales‑tax rebate of up to $2,500 per employee, potentially totaling $1.25 million for both current and new hires.
When the company purchases equipment and machinery locally, the city will collect 2 percent of the associated sales tax. Bowman illustrated the impact with a hypothetical: if Jack Henry spends $20 million, Allen and its development partners would receive $400,000 in tax revenue.
Community benefits
Bowman emphasized that the grant money comes from the state, not the city’s budget, meaning the investment will not strain local finances. Instead, the infusion of capital is expected to boost the city’s tax base, support ancillary businesses, and provide more employment opportunities for residents.
“Jack Henry is a fantastic candidate for this,” Bowman said. “These are dollars from the state of Texas, so this does not come from the city’s budget, and in fact, this will positively impact the city through the increased investment.”
Next steps
If the grant is awarded, Jack Henry will move forward with its planned spending, creating jobs and generating additional tax revenue for Allen. The city council’s unanimous support signals strong local backing for the company’s growth and its contribution to the community’s economic vitality.
Original reporting: Community Impact — Allen — read the source article.
