At the Taylor ISD Event Center—a venue that seats several hundred but was about half full for the Sept. 8 joint meeting—city and county officials both agreed to approve development agreements and set ad valorem caps on the valuation of almost 1,200 acres in southwest Taylor to incentivize the electronics company's decision to locate its facility in east Williamson County.
County Judge Bill Gravell Jr. said the deal would bring more than $135 million in ad valorem tax revenue over 30 years to county coffers alone.
Specifically, Samsung is expected to build a 6 million-square-foot facility that will bring 1,800 higher-paying jobs to the area. Gravell said along with the Samsung jobs, thousands of contractors will also work at the facility. According to Williamson County, the project will also provide 6,500-10,000 direct construction jobs.
To open the meeting, Gravell; Johnathan Taylor, corporate vice president of Samsung Semiconductor; TISD Superintendent Devin Padavil; and Taylor Mayor Brandt Rydell all spoke in glowing terms of the economic opportunity the semiconductor plant would bring to the area.
"We would love to expand here in Texas and be part of the many amazing moments that will unfold in the community," Taylor said.
Samsung had not yet made an official declaration of its intent by the meeting's conclusion, but of the several dozen attendees who spoke during public comment Sept. 8, most agreed with city and county officials that the plant would be a highly beneficial, multifaceted opportunity for the community.
Emilio De La Garza, a Taylor resident and student at TISD, said he has always been fascinated by technology.
"Samsung in Taylor would be a monumental opportunity for Taylor ISD," De La Garza said. "Students could learn math and science with a more visual perspective for what they're learning."
As one example of programs benefitting children, Gravell said Samsung would partner with TISD to provide 24 internships per year for the next 30 years as part of the deal.
By and large, the central theme of public commentary during the Sept. 8 meeting centered on opportunities for more financial growth, infrastructure improvements, civic contributions and student mentorships.
Williamson County resident Lance White said he is not against Samsung but does have some concerns about the location of the plant—south of Hwy. 79 and west of FM 973, southwest of downtown Taylor.
The area is prone to flooding, and his property is adjacent to the Samsung parcel, he said, adding he is also concerned about who will pay for the myriad roads and other infrastructure upgrades necessitated by the massive facility.
Gravell later clarified that the Texas Department of Transportation is contributing $67 million to infrastructure projects specifically pertaining to the project.
White was one of the only attendees who had anything negative to say about the semiconductor plant.
Tony Bennett, CEO of the Texas Association of Manufacturers, spoke in favor of the Samsung facility and the economic incentives used to lure large scale projects to the state.
"I encourage you as officials to do all you can to land this project here," Bennett said. "In addition, a project of this caliber will attract numerous vendors and suppliers that want to come here."
Beyond direct benefits to city, county and school district coffers, local business owners said they are also excited for the potential for peripheral economic impact.
Ian Davis, owner of the Texas Beer Co. in Taylor, said the arrival of Samsung would benefit him in several ways, especially as a boost to his downtown brewery and taproom.
"I just can't thank you enough for putting this together," Davis said. "I'm also a dad, and I just can't imagine all of the benefits this will bring to the Taylor school district."
For more specific details on the economic incentives offered to Samsung Semiconductor by Williamson County, the city of Taylor and Taylor ISD, click here.
