Henderson, Texas | Monday, November 2, 2026
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HEDCO

HEDCO

Henderson Economic Development Corporation

HEDCO spends a dedicated share of local sales tax on jobs, business recruitment and development projects. Its board is appointed by the City Council, and state law requires the council to approve its programs and spending. We track what HEDCO approves, what it pays, and whether the promised results arrive.

14Deals reviewed
$228,697Unbudgeted charges
$1.5MLand purchase
7Board seats
Who governs
A seven-seat board appointed by the Henderson City Council, plus an executive director on staff.
When it meets
Regular meetings are generally the third Tuesday of the month at 300 W. Main Street.
Where records are
Agendas on hendersonedc.com. HEDCO minutes reach the public mostly inside City Council packets.
Who has the final say
Under Texas Local Government Code 501.073, the City Council approves HEDCO programs and expenditures.

Open cases

Updated November 2, 2026
CASE 2026-6Open

HEDCO’s performance agreements: every deal, one place

14agreements found

A plant expansion, a preschool retaining wall, new homes, a new store. The goals are good. The signed contracts and proof of jobs are mostly missing from the public record.

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CASE 2026-1Open

Charged to lines with no approved budget

$228,697across six lines budgeted at $0

HEDCO’s own year-end report says budget amendments are still needed.

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CASE 2026-2Open

City selling 114 acres to HEDCO

$1.5Mabout $13,181 an acre

The council minutes show a plat vote, not a vote on the price or the contract.

Read the story

Who serves

Board and staff
MMMichael Marshall PresidentMHMicah Howard Vice PresidentADAdam Duey SecretaryTSTrey Segura TreasurerCSCourtney Smith MemberJPJustin Pirtle Member?Place 6 Not yet updated on HEDCO site
BGBret Gardella Executive Director
HEDCO’s website still shows one seat as vacant. A council appointment to that seat was on the October 20, 2026 agenda.

Meeting notices

From the posting certificate on each published agenda
9 of 14

Published agendas we reviewed from February 2025 to July 2026 that carry a dated posting certificate. Each showed three to six days of notice.

5

Published copies with a blank certificate: August 5 and August 19, 2025, December 16, 2025, and January 20 and February 17, 2026.

Fix

A blank certificate on the website copy does not prove a meeting was posted late. Posting the signed copy online would settle it every time.

Latest HEDCO coverage

Newest first

What we are watching

Next steps
  • Signed contracts. A records request for every performance agreement, payment and compliance report HEDCO holds.
  • Budget amendments. Whether the amendments HEDCO says it needs go to the City Council in open session.
  • The 114-acre purchase. Whether the council takes a separate vote on the price, with the appraisal attached.

HEDCO roster from hendersonedc.com as of November 1, 2026. Notice counts come from agendas HEDCO published online. We are not accusing anyone of wrongdoing; we are asking whether residents can see how this money is spent.

HEDCO websiteCity Agenda Center