CITY DESK
by Ann Marie Kennon • photos courtesy Traci Anderson
ECONOMIC MOMENTUM From South Korea to Jarrell
Cameron Goodman, Georgetown EDC Director, Traci Anderson, Jarrell EDC Executive Director, Brenda Eivens, Cedar Park City Manager, David Morgan, Georgetown City Manager, and Ben White, Taylor EDC President/CEO were par t of the Williamson County delegation theat travelled to South Korea in September to visit the county's Economic Development Partnership office in Seoul.
I N A M O V E T H AT U N D E R S CO R E S I T S G R O W I N G I N T E R N AT I O N A L O U T R E A C H , T H E W I L L I A M S O N CO U N T Y E CO N O M I C D E V E LO P M E N T PA R T N E R S H I P ( W I LCO E D P ) E S TA B L I S H E D A N O F F I C E I N S E O U L , S O U T H K O R E A . T H I S I N I T I AT I V E , A N N O U N C E D B Y E CO N O M I C D E V E LO P M E N T D I R E C TO R D AV E P O R T E R I N J U LY, A I M S TO D I R E C T S O U T H K O R E A N F I R M S E Y E I N G U. S . E X PA N S I O N TO WA R D W I L L I A M S O N CO U N T Y A N D I T S M U N I C I PA L I T I E S .
JARRELL MEASURES UP One of the pioneering ventures of the new EDP office was a half-day seminar September 12, titled "How to Do Business in Williamson County." The event, Dave said, was a "packed schedule" and included a hosted delegation from Williamson County, comprised of economic development leaders and city managers — including Jarrell EDC Executive Director Traci Anderson — all of whom interacted with more than 100 South Korean companies. Traci says, “This trip was truly a group effort. The entire Williamson County delegation had a seat at the table as a county collective, but we were given opportunities to speak about our individual communities. During these discussions, I conveyed Jarrell’s unique distinction of still possessing abundant undeveloped land that holds tremendous value with an affordable price tag. Along with our location to pull from a different workforce and IH-35 frontage, Jarrell has the ability to measure up to our competitors. We essentially have a blank canvas that the city can shape into a remarkable community, paving the way 10
N O V E M B E R 2023 M Y JA R R ELL M O NT HLY
for the next generation of Jarrell residents. I believe — in the near future — Jarrell will be cast with a new identity, distinct from its past.” Traci explains in addition to land, there is a workforce of 1.42 million living within a 45-minute drive of Jarrell. With a high median household income of $95,510, the low cost of living in and around the city will be a great benefit for local workers. “We are experiencing a tremendous growth rate,” she says. “We have residential and commercial developments already underway, and we offer fast-track permitting for commercial developments and planning support.”
STRATEGIC RATIONALE With the construction of the Samsung semiconductor manufacturing plant in Taylor, the demand for suppliers in Central Texas is surging. Consequently, the South Korea office will not simply focus on semiconductor suppliers but also those in research, life sciences, automotive, and software sectors within Williamson County.
