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Dish Network Looks to Invest $5 Million in Harlingen

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Posted: 08/05/2010
Author: Michael Barajas - Valley Morning Star

HARLINGEN — The City Commission on Wednesday adopted an ordinance lowering spacing requirements between new and existing bars downtown and voted to nominate Dish Network a
Designated Enterprise Project within the city.

If approved at the state level, Dish Network would invest $5 million to improve its existing Harlingen facility and upgrade the company’s equipment within the city, Harlingen Economic Development CEO Bill Martin said before the commission Wednesday.

Under the Texas Enterprise Zone Program, Dish Network would be eligible for roughly $2,500 in state tax refunds per job saved, Martin said.

The company wouldn’t receive any exemptions for local taxes, Martin said.

Although the program wouldn’t add any new jobs, it would help Dish Network keep its roughly 950 local employees, Martin explained, calling the measure a “job retention strategy.”

In other business, the commission voted Wednesday to adopt a city ordinance that changes the requirement that new downtown bars be spaced 100 feet from existing ones. Under the new ordinance, new bars built downtown would only have to be spaced 50 feet from one another.

Under the ordinance, new bars will also be required to have outdoor lighting at all entrances and exits and will be required to have security guards at all times during business operation.