Bastrop Regional Chamber (TX) Connects Businesses with New Economic Opportunities

As Bastrop County, Texas, attracts new investment in advanced manufacturing, technology, and energy, the Bastrop Regional Chamber of Commerce is helping connect businesses with economic opportunities and prepare the community for growth. President and CEO Becki Womble spoke with CICE about the community’s economic growth, the Chamber’s role, and her advice for other chambers seeking to attract clean energy investment.

This Q&A has been edited for length and clarity.

How has Bastrop’s economy changed over the past decade, and what opportunities has that created for local businesses?

Ten years ago, Bastrop was a small-town community with deep roots and a largely rural identity, growing mostly through residential development, and much of our workforce commuted outside the county.

Today, the pace and scale of change are remarkable. Bastrop County has grown from about 74,000 residents in 2010 to more than 97,000 in the 2020 Census, with current estimates putting the county at 115,000. At the same time, we are seeing major investments in advanced manufacturing, aerospace, technology, data infrastructure, energy, and other high-growth industries.

We’re seeing a gradual shift in local employment. For years, many Bastrop County residents commuted to Austin for higher-paying jobs. Now, more residents can work closer to home, while new investment is creating opportunities for local businesses.

What has made Bastrop successful in attracting new investment, including clean energy development?

Several pieces of the equation come together in Bastrop. First, location matters! We are part of the Austin regional economy, but offer what’s increasingly harder to find near major urban centers: available land, major transportation corridors, proximity to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, and a lower-cost environment. Bastrop also sits within the “Heart of Texas Triangle,” giving companies access to four of the state’s largest metropolitan markets.

Second, our economic development organization, local governments, businesses, and regional partners have built a culture that’s responsive and solutions-oriented.

Third, companies are recognizing that Bastrop is focused on the future. The presence of SpaceX/Starlink, The Boring Company, and the nearby Tesla Gigafactory has put this region on the map for advanced technology and manufacturing.

Success also breeds success. Once innovative companies see other innovative companies choosing your region, it creates credibility.

Could you give us an idea of what these investments have meant to Bastrop’s tax base and overall community?

The impact is significant, and it goes well beyond the jobs created by any one company.

Bastrop County’s taxable value increased from approximately $6.5 billion in 2019 to $12.3 billion in 2023, and is projected to be more than $15 billion in 2026. That growth is driven by clean energy and technology investment, as well as residential and commercial development.

And then there’s the ripple effect. Major employers need contractors, suppliers, restaurants, housing, professional services, transportation, healthcare, and other businesses. Those businesses hire people who spend money locally, circulating that economic activity throughout the community.

What advice do you have for other chambers that want to attract clean energy investment and ensure local businesses benefit?

My biggest advice: Don’t wait until the project arrives to get involved with your local government.

Chambers need to understand their community’s assets and build relationships before the prospect ever comes to town. Economic development is a team sport, and our job is to connect the company to the community.

Help developers meet local business leaders, vendors, and workforce partners so they become part of the community rather than simply operating in it.

I also encourage chambers to educate their membership on what these projects can mean for local contractors, restaurants, professional services, manufacturers, suppliers, and small businesses.

Finally, be honest advocates for responsible growth and enthusiastic about investment while asking the right questions about infrastructure, workforce, housing, transportation, and quality of life.

Looking ahead, what are your priorities for Bastrop’s continued growth?

Bastrop is a community reaching a turning point, with a chance to turn this growth into long-term prosperity for people who call Bastrop home as well as new residents. We’re proud of the economic momentum, and we’re focused on ensuring our small businesses, entrepreneurs, and longtime employers have a place at the table.

We’re building the next version of Bastrop, and we want to do it well. Really well!