Hill Country draws Calif. furniture maker

An outdoor furniture maker is planning to move its headquarters and manufacturing operations from California to the Texas Hill Country.

O.W. Lee bought a 412,000square-foot building on 44 acres in Comfort and anticipates relocating in early 2021, pending upgrades to the structure, according to local officials.

“The location of O.W. Lee to Comfort will be a strong addition to Kendall County and brings a high-quality company to one of the largest buildings in the county,” Amy Story, president and CEO of the Boerne

Kendall County Economic Development Corp., said in a statement.

The family-owned business plans to invest $24 million, which includes the purchase of the property at1206 Fifth St. and about $6 million worth of improvements to it.

It’s unclear how many of the roughly 200 jobs O.W. Lee is expected to provide will be newor relocated positions.

Company officials are determining that now, said Terri Lee Rogers, president and vice present of sales. Rogers estimates that about 8 to10 percent will relocate tocomfort. Themanufacturer will recruit locally to fill

the rest of the jobs.

Wages depend on the job, with the average production position starting at around $15 per hour with benefits, Rogers added. O.W. Lee is set to receive a 7-year tax abatement,

which will average 40 percent of the increased value of the property, Story said.

Local officials are also nominating the business for the Texas Enterprise Zone program. Projects can receive state sales and use tax refunds through the program, which is supposed to “encourage private investment and job

creation in economically distressed areas,” according to the state’s website.

Ontario, Calif.-based O.W. Lee ismoving to Texas because of its “favorable business incentives and policies, and for the central location for shipping,” Rogers said in a statement.

“The San Antonio area can meet our need for highquality

metalworkers and welders, andwe feelwe can provide a goodwage and be a positive business member in this community,” Rogers added.

The company designs and manufactures outdoor furniture and fire pits.