The Rockdale Municipal Development District is the economic development organization for the City of Rockdale, Texas. The MDD is authorized under Chapter 377 of the Texas Local Government code and operates under the umbrella of the City. As a public entity, the MDD is subject to the same transparency requirements of the City. The MDD collects a ½ cent sales tax on all taxable purchases made within the District.
The primary purpose of the MDD is to attract investment to the community. This takes many forms but can include:
As a business concierge, the MDD staff provide all levels of assistance from project support to securing incentives to helping small businesses and entrepreneurs.
Contact us for more information on how we can be of service.
Transparency is one of the MDD’s chief values.
Rockdale is eager to evolve from a former company town of 6,000 residents with no industry to a vibrant community with a dynamic employment base. The City is working on crafting a powerful community vision as part of its new comprehensive plan. From that, the MDD developed a new economic development strategic plan with a target industry analysis. As part of the comprehensive plan, the City also crafted a new Parks Master Plan. In 2012, the City drafted a Downtown Master Plan.
The Rockdale Municipal Development District is governed by a 7 member Board of Directors. Each Board member is appointed by the Rockdale City Council and serves a 2 year term. The Board typically meets on the 4th Monday of each month at 5:30 pm at the RMDD office. Meet the community leaders who govern the Rockdale MDD.
Jim Gibson has been the Economic Development Director in Rockdale, Texas, since July 2021, where he is responsible for the planning and execution of the MDD’s economic development efforts. Jim earned his MA degree in Public Administration from the University of Houston and a BS in Political Science from Sam Houston State University. Jim graduated from the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute (OU-EDI) in 2016 and completed the Advanced Economic Development Leadership program in November 2020. Jim also earned his Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) credential in June 2017 and the Certified Government Finance Officer in 2014. Jim’s professional memberships include the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) where he is on the Education and Certification committee and the Texas Economic Development Council where he is on the Forward Planning and Sales Tax committees. Jim also serves on the Rockdale Chamber of Commerce Board. Jim has been married to Janelle since 2000 and they have two young adult daughters, Celeste and Cecily.
Michelle Toungate has been with the Rockdale MDD as the Executive Assistant since November 2022. Michelle has been married to her husband Rick for over 30 years and they have one son. Michelle and her husband started their own air conditioning service company where she managed the business for 13 years. Michelle then worked as a transaction coordinator for a REMAX agent in the Central Texas area before moving onto their ranch in Rockdale. After moving to Rockdale, Michelle worked for a local real estate agent handling their marketing and advertising. Michelle has been involved with the Rockdale Chamber of Commerce and is a graduate of the Leadership Rockdale program.
Nathan Bland is a 5th generation Milam County resident and graduate of Texas A&M. Nathan is currently the RMDD Board President. Nathan would like to create a Rockdale economy that provides good, high-paying jobs. He believes that Rockdale’s position in the Texas Triangle and proximity to the new Samsung plant in Taylor present a unique opportunity for Rockdale. Previously, Nathan served as a City Council member for 6 years and currently owns an insurance business. Nathan is married to Anna and they have three children.
John King is currently the RMDD Vice President and has been a Rockdale resident since 1981, moving to town to work at ALCOA, and serving as Mayor from 2013 to 2022. John sees Rockdale experiencing a strong growth surge due to the new industrial development at SLR – the old ALCOA property. John is excited about the application of AI and what it can do for society. John is a veteran of the US Air Force and completed an electrical engineering degree from Oklahoma State University and a masters degree from the Air Force Institute of Technology. John married Ann in 1961 and has three children and six grandchildren.
Rebecca Luckey is married to Paul and are lifelong residents and graduates of Rockdale. Rebecca has been employed with Texas AgriLife Extension Service and Texas A&M University for the past 34 years. While working at Texas A&M University Rebecca earned her Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from Texas A&M University in Leadership and Organizational Change. Being involved in the Rockdale and Milam County communities with numerous organizations, most recently being appointed to the Rockdale Municipal Development District Board, Rebecca’s enthusiasm continues to make an impact as she looks for opportunities to get people engaged with their community and government. Rebecca is committed to working alongside her fellow RMDD Board Members as Rockdale plans, prepares and transitions for the economic growth opportunities coming to our rural community. A top priority for Rebecca is being a good steward for the citizens and business owners of Rockdale and the surrounding communities when making economic decisions for Rockdale.
Brian Wallis is a fifth generation Rockdale resident, his family moving into the area in the late 1800’s. Brian is active with the Rockdale Volunteer Fire Department and has 23 years of experience in the water and wastewater industry. Brian’s combination of knowledge in public safety and infrastructure allows him to bring a unique perspective to Rockdale’s economic development efforts. Brian would like to see a resilient Rockdale where blue-collar manufacturing jobs coexist with technology jobs. Brian has been married to his wife Angie for 27 years and they have two children – Alyssa, who is an educator, and Braden, who recently opened a new Bar-B-Q restaurant in Rockdale.
Joyce Dalley moved to Rockdale to be near her family in Elgin and a long-time friend, quickly becoming an integral part of the community. With extensive experience in the hospitality industry and customer service, Joyce is dedicated to promoting local businesses and services to enhance Rockdale’s economy. Her vision includes job training and increasing business opportunities to create more jobs for residents. Joyce is passionate about uniting the community and addressing local issues while supporting efforts to revitalize downtown, promote tourism, and welcome new residents.
During her tenure on the Rockdale City Council, Joyce represented the district on the Texas Municipal League Board. She continues to be actively involved in city and regional organizations focused on community development.
Garrett Muston is a sixth-generation Rockdale resident who brings over a decade of experience in marketing leadership to his role on the Rockdale Municipal Development District board. A graduate of Baylor University with a degree in Public Relations and Journalism, Garrett built his career in Austin, where he specialized in scaling B2B marketing functions, brand strategy, and demand generation for professional services firms and technology companies.
Garrett chose to bring his skill and experience back home to Rockdale with the goal of making a lasting impact on the community that shaped him. Married with two children enrolled in Rockdale ISD, Garrett is deeply invested in the town’s future and committed to its long-term growth.
As an MDD board member, Garrett’s vision is to see Rockdale flourish not only economically, but also in its marketability, reputation, and visual appeal – creating a community that is both quaint and attractive, while serving as a model of small-town success and destination excellence. He is passionate about fostering an environment where businesses thrive, families feel proud to live, and Rockdale stands out as an example of what thoughtful growth and community spirit can achieve.
The Rockdale MDD typically meets the 4th Monday of each month at 5:30 pm at the MDD Office at 134 North Main Street. Meeting agendas are posted on the MDD website and posted at the MDD office and the Rockdale City Hall at least 72 hours prior to the meeting.
The Rockdale MDD is subject to the Texas Open Meetings Act and all meetings are open to the public. Anyone wishing to make a public comment on a specific agenda item must register their name prior to the meeting.