S AMS UNG
Everything IS Bigger in Texas Ann Marie Kennon annmarie@georgetownview.com
THE LARGEST ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEAL IN LONE STAR HISTORY
At the Table with Samsung by Ann Marie Kennon‑
W
hen Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell met with BGR Group corporate consultant Jerry Strickland last January to discuss pandemic testing and vaccinations, he made a connection that would impact Williamson County for generations. BGR Group represents multiple large corporations. Strickland later called to ask the Judge if the County would be interested in making a corporate pitch for a $17 billion project.
Aerial view of Samsung's north Austin plant (credit: Samsung)
JUST HOW BIG IS IT?
The Samsung Taylor plant will have “He gave me 36 hours to respond,” Judge 6,000,000 square feet of floor space. For comparison, the Austin Gravell says. “I sent out emails with details Amazon Distribution site, Tesla Giga, and Austin Apple headquarters about the company, and received affirmative —together—would fit inside five times. responses from Leander and Taylor. While Taylor is now receiving international attention The Judge explains, like everything from home as the awardee, I am incredibly proud that construction to military bases, access to water in Central Leander was one of the top six locations in the world.” Texas is something city and county leaders must ensure He notes Leander did not go further only because during negotiations at every level. “We couldn’t take Samsung had larger requirements for land to create a away from our existing water supplies here. We knew we significant space buffer at the site. had to be innovative and creative.”
Partnerships
While Judge Gravell was the point man, the scaled agreements are the product of work and cooperation by people and agencies at all levels. Much work and commitment was provided by the City of Taylor, Taylor ISD, Williamson County, the State of Texas, and the Federal Government. There is also a utilities partnership with EPCOR, a Canadian company that provides clean water and energy to communities in Canada and the United States. 6
D E C E M B E R 2021 M Y JA R R ELL M O NT HLY
To facilitate the need, Williamson County’s negotiating team brokered the meeting between Samsung and EPCOR, which will funnel millions of gallons of water into Williamson County from adjacent Milam County. “EPCOR will be bringing in water from an alternate water site that won’t take away from our residents,” the Judge says. He is also pleased that the benefit to Williamson County will be two-fold; “Not only will we have tax revenue from Samsung, and water for generations, EPCOR will be paying the tax on the half-billion-dollar infrastructure that will bring the water from that alternative source.”
