WILCO & BELL CO. Successful Partners in Regional Economic Development

Located in the heart of Texas’ fastest growing technology hub, Williamson and Bell Counties are involved in various investment attraction activities while state leaders collaborate on several fronts to provide seamless engagement for potential investors.

Representative Brad Buckley (TX-54) was elected in 2018 and serves Salado, Holland, Troy, Fort Hood, parts of Killeen and Temple, and other rural areas throughout Bell County. He is vice chair of the Defense and Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and is a member of the Public Education Committee and Local and Consent Calendars Committee.

His legislative mission is threefold: supporting veterans, ensuring a fair property tax system, and improving public education through increased funding and school safety for the “future workforce of Texas. We have to make sure we have an education system that challenges students and gives them the opportunities to achieve skills needed to be successful. We have to make sure our schools have the resources they need to be a safe place for kids to learn.”

His wider focus, however, is on government collaboration in Central Texas to take on the challenges ahead. He explained, “From Troy to Round Rock, we have tremendous potential for growth and prosperity. It’s important we all work together and understand the type of coordination and resources needed to capitalize on the opportunities we have before us.”

WATER & POWER

While not on scale with Samsung, the Meta data center is coming online in Temple, and Rep. Buckley affirmed the combined water needs are another tie in the two counties’ future together. “It is time for real collaboration. We share a border, and these two major businesses will benefit us both as we will be the residential hubs for employees in either or both.” He added that Killeen has three similar deals pending for large regional suppliers, and is committed to productive water discussions. “There will be needs on both sides but I don’t see a path forward without linkage. Every man for himself, while somewhat traditional in Texas, will not work for our collective growth.”

He also believes the state needs to double down on grid reliability. “We must have the proper mix of energy generating capabilities. Right now, all the development is tilted toward renewables and Texas needs to do everything it can to make sure that our dispatchable energy producers (coal, natural gas, nuclear) can create an environment for themselves in which they can invest in more renewables.” He referenced a plant in Fairfield that is currently dark due to the expensive retrofitting required to produce electricity from renewable sources. “Renewables are fine, but when we are in an energy crunch and I recognize technology is in development to improve the reliability of renewables we must have and be able to use thermal energy capabilities safely and in a way that increases grid reliability.”

Economic Development

In 2021, the House passed HB5, the Texas Broadband Plan, which created an official office for broadband in the comptrollers office and set the stage for improving Internet access and reliability across Texas. Rep. Buckley explained, “We are mapping the state and finding out where the service is good and where standards are not being met.” He and Senator Dawn Buckingham (SD24) also passed the Middle Mile Broadband bill, which allows ISPs, municipalities, businesses, and schools to catch a ride on the LCRA broadband network. “The LCRA leases bandwidth to other entities and provides reliable Internet at low cost, while providing revenue for LCRA to improve parks and other services. It’s a win-win as an economic development tool, and it is setting the stage for more. If we want rural Texas to prosper, we must ensure they have the tools to compete schools need it and businesses need to move information in a timely manner. And let’s not confuse underserved with rural when we’re just talking about places that don’t have broadband. It would be much easier to redevelop a neighborhood in decline if Internet is up to standards. People won’t build a business and put taxable property on the ground if it’s not. ”