If you haven’t heard me say it before, let me say it again: “It’s a historic time to be doing business in Bastrop County!” Are you preparing your business for the influx of newcomers and customers into our community? We’re already seeing the rapid growth within the Bastrop Independent School District, and I’m sure Elgin, Smithville, and McDade are experiencing the same trends based on the figures shared at our Monthly Luncheon on February 5. Bastrop, once known as a haven for retirees and older generations, now has a median age of 35. Many of our new residents are recently married or have young families, which explains the expanding and growing numbers for our school districts.
Some of the numbers are truly astonishing. Bastrop’s population has surged by nearly 60% over the past decade. The City of Bastrop now reports a population of over 14,000 residents. When I arrived in Bastrop in August 2014, we were at around 9,000 people—so the math adds up! Everywhere you turn, there are new rooftops and subdivisions. This influx of residents brings more than just new homes; it brings jobs, businesses, and opportunities to our “small” town, which sits less than 30 miles east of Austin.
From movie studios to data centers and manufacturing plants, businesses are flocking to Bastrop for a slower pace of life and affordable land, relatively speaking. The city covers 9.1 square miles, while Bastrop County spans roughly 900 square miles. The economic boom we’re experiencing is difficult to quantify, as the numbers are rapidly changing. But one thing’s for sure—our businesses and community are excited and ready to welcome the new faces. It is the Bastrop way of treating people.
In our backyard, Elon Musk has established three companies within Bastrop County, with another just over the Travis County line. In the summer of 2021, FM1209 was still farmland. Now, it’s been transformed with Musk companies, generating 1,300 jobs, with more on the horizon. Bastrop 522 Film Studio, a project three years in the making, is breaking ground and will bring up to 1,000 jobs. Additionally, Acutronic, an aerospace company, announced its arrival last year, and Bastrop County is becoming a hub for data centers. On Monday, February 10, at the Bastrop County Commissioner’s Court meeting, we received news of a $43 million grant for broadband expansion. This will bring high-
speed internet to underserved parts of the county, benefiting an estimated 10,471 locations by December 2026. This grant positions us for even more significant opportunities ahead.
One of our greatest assets is the leadership, experience, and collaboration we have in place. If you didn’t know, we have something called B.E.S.T. Leadership—an acronym for Bastrop*Elgin*Smithville*Texas. This group includes leaders such as the County Judge, city managers, superintendents, EDC directors, and chamber executives who meet monthly to discuss developments across the county. These partnerships go far beyond a monthly breakfast; they’re ongoing weekly, often extending into weekend calls and meetings as we work together on development needs.
So why am I sharing all this growth and development news? As the largest business advocacy organization in the county, the Bastrop Chamber of Commerce wants to ensure that your business is prepared and ready to thrive. We’re here to support you, our members, in any way we can. One key opportunity coming up is the Governor’s Small Business Summit on June 26. We’re proud
to be one of only 15 communities selected to host this prestigious event. In 2019, we had 106 attendees, and for 2025, we’re aiming for over 200! Registration details will be out soon, so mark your calendar now and plan to attend.
To stay informed about upcoming developments, be sure to check our Chamber Calendar for dates, times, and locations for our State of Events. The first one is our State of the County breakfast on April 23, where you’ll hear directly from our Commissioners Court. Our popular State of the City dinner is scheduled for September 8 at the Convention Center, and I’m confident that Sylvia Carrillo-Trevino is the right leader for this moment in Bastrop’s history and will bring the latest updates from the city. Finally, the State of the School District lunch
will take place on October 8, where we’ll hear updates following the 89th Legislative Session. That should be excting!
Your Chamber staff, along with our Board of Directors led by Chairwoman Meagan Webb, make every decision with you in mind. We are strategically planning for Bastrop’s future, and we know it’s bright—just like a Disco Ball. Stay connected with us on social media, keep your calendar updated by visiting our website, and we hope to see you at one of our exciting 2025 events. Together, we’ll help you maximize your investment with us.
The Bastrop Chamber of Commerce has been serving the business community in one form or another since 1920. Our experienced staff and business leaders on the Board are committed to keeping Bastrop the best place to
live, work, play, and raise a family. Let’s continue to thrive in 2025 and beyond!
Warm regards,
Becki Womble, CCE, IOM President/CEO
Made possible by the Bastrop, Elgin, and Smithville Chambers of Commerce, the B.E.S.T. Leadership program was created in 2004 to cultivate and engage business leaders throughout Bastrop County. The new year commenced with a focus on Bastrop County Government Operations.
Steering Regional Growth and Collaboration
From the courtroom to the jail cell, from tax assessments to team dynamics, the B.E.S.T. Leadership started 2025 by looking inside Bastrop County’s public service functions.
With an impressive tenure and wealth of experience, Bastrop County Commissioner Precinct 2, Clara Beckett, started our day by providing a comprehensive overview of County Operations in Bastrop. Commissioner Beckett’s detailed address showcased our county government’s strategic approach to regional growth challenges. Working through organizations like the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO), the county has established strong partnerships for coordinated development and transportation planning across county lines.
The Commissioner’s presentation highlighted a significant recent success: the county’s support of a major data center project. This initiative demonstrated how strategic infrastructure investments can attract substantial private investment while creating local jobs. The Commissioner detailed how the county navigated complex requirements for water lines and road improvements, ensuring the project benefited the broader region without burdening neighboring communities.
The county will conduct a comprehensive asset inventory and needs assessment to guide facility planning in the year ahead. This data-driven approach incorporates demographic projections to align infrastructure investments with population growth, reflecting the county leadership’s commitment to proactive governance and efficient service delivery.
Shaping Team Dynamics
In October, the leadership class participated in a behavioral assessment, The Predictive Index, which provided insight into their personal tendencies and workplace styles. In this month’s session, the class explored how behavioral tendencies shape team dynamics when different combinations of behavioral profiles can impact the effectiveness of work teams. Participants examined how their collective combinations of dominance, extraversion, patience, and formality create distinct team profiles and what happens when a profile’s strength is missing or overemphasized in teams.
The class focused on three team types or variations: Stabilizing teams that provide consistency and reliable execution; Anchoring teams that maintain core processes while adapting to change, and Adapting teams that thrive on innovation and rapid response to new challenges.
Mastering Meeting Protocol Through Play
Parliamentary procedure might sound dry, but not when it’s transformed into a high-energy game show. The Business Leaders class tackled Robert’s Rules of Order through an entertaining twist on “Jep-Party!” complete with buzzers and friendly competition that prioritized conversation and learning over points. Parliamentary procedures came alive as participants tackled Robert’s Rules of Order through competitive categories, testing their knowledge of essential meeting protocols. The game format emphasized the practical application of these crucial skills, highlighting how proper meeting procedure ensures efficient decision-making in public service. Last year’s B.E.S.T. Leadership class sparked a conversation that led to incorporating this new activity challenging the class on the nuances of facilitating public meetings and serving on boards.
Exploring Taxation and Appraisal
Faun Cullens, Chief Appraiser, and Ellen Owens, Tax Assessor-Collector, joined forces to guide the class through the world of property taxation and appraisal. The cooperative nature of their roles and their partnership in communication strives for a smooth functioning of the county’s financial landscape. While both offices deal with property taxes, they serve distinctly different functions. The Appraisal District, led by Faun, determines property market values, while Ellen’s office calculates tax bills based on rates set by various jurisdictions. This separation creates essential checks and balances in the tax system.
The officials walked participants through the annual property valuation and tax collection cycle. Property values are determined as of January 1st each year, and notices are typically sent by April 15th. Ellen detailed how tax rates are established through a careful process involving multiple jurisdictions, highlighting three key rates: the no new revenue rate, which maintains current revenue levels; the de minimis rate, which allows minimal increases; and the voter approval rate, which permits more significant increases subject to certain limitations.
Both officials addressed questions about special valuations, particularly for agricultural and open space land. They explained that while these properties receive reduced assessments, changes in land use can trigger rollback taxes - an important consideration for property owners and developers. Their presentation emphasized the importance of public participation in
budget and tax rate hearings, directing attendees to the Truth in Taxation website for tracking proposed rates and upcoming hearings.
A Closer Look at County Law Enforcement
Fresh from his recent Commissioners Court presentation, Sheriff Cook welcomed the class to the Sheriff’s Office, where he offered insights into one of the county’s most complex operations. Of particular interest was the success of the recently implemented compensation model, which has significantly reduced vacant positions in the Sheriff’s department.
Sergeant James Bates led the class through the Bastrop County Jail, highlighting current operations and future challenges as the county grows. Through these diverse sessions and engaging speakers, participants gained valuable insights into the interconnected systems that keep our county running effectively while planning for future growth and development. The program demonstrated how careful planning, regional collaboration, and dedicated public servants work together to maintain and improve county services for all residents.
Stronger Together
Days like today could not happen without the coordination and assistance of many who support the B.E.S.T. Leadership class experience. Thank you to Faun Cullens and her staff for graciously hosting our class in the Appraisal District’s conference room. Additionally, appreciation goes to Kelsi Owen with the Bastrop Chamber for coordinating our lunch order and the team at 602 for smooth lunch service and warmly welcoming our group of twenty.
This month the B.E.S.T. Leadership class will meet on Thursday, February 20 in Elgin at the Elgin ISD Administration Building and the focus will be the “Heart of Community.”
For more information about the B.E.S.T. Leadership program, check out https://www.bastropchamber. com/b-e-s-t-leadership-program/.
