Grow a Business | Rockdale MDD

Rockdale’s existing businesses are the heart of our economy. Whether you’re adding staff, expanding your building, or planning for the future, the Rockdale MDD is here to help you grow.

Rockdale Is Growing

New employers, new neighborhoods, and new investment are bringing more people and activity to Rockdale.

1,800Jobs planned at T1 Energy’s Rockdale plant

900+New homesites available or planned

10%+Sales tax growth last year, rising every year since 2021

$93.9BEconomy of Milam County and its seven neighboring counties

See the Regional Economy →

How We Help

Custom research and analyticsMarket, customer, and industry research tailored to your expansion plans, using specialized economic development data programs.

Confidential assistanceExpansion plans stay between you and the MDD. We work confidentially until you’re ready to announce.

Export assistance planningHelp planning your first or next export market, with connections to federal and state export programs.

Business successionPlanning for a sale or transfer of your business, through our partner providers.

Planning an expansion or need help with your business?

Grants for Local Businesses

Building Improvement Incentive Grant (BIIG)

Matching grants for façade improvements (50%, up to $10,000), building improvements (15%, up to $15,000), and property redevelopment.

Details →Guidelines & Application (PDF) ↗

Digital Marketing Grant

A $750 reimbursement for locally owned businesses that hire a professional for video, photography, digital ads, websites, or branding.

Details →Guidelines & Application (PDF) ↗

Larger expansions may also qualify for property tax abatement and other incentives. See Incentives & Financing →

Hiring and Training

Skills Development FundState grants for custom training delivered by community and technical colleges.Details ↗

Skills for Small BusinessState-funded training for new and current employees of small businesses.Details ↗

Workforce Solutions of Central TexasRecruiting, hiring events, candidate screening, and training funds.Visit ↗

See Talent & Workforce →

Resources for Growing Businesses

Click a category to see the resources in it.

Business counseling(3)

Brazos Valley SBDC ↗Free one-on-one advising on growth, financing, and operations.
SCORE ↗Free mentoring from experienced business owners and executives.
Rockdale Chamber of Commerce ↗Networking, events, and local business promotion.

Workforce and training(3)

Skills Development Fund ↗Texas Workforce Commission grants for custom training through community and technical colleges.
Skills for Small Business ↗Texas Workforce Commission training for new and current employees of small businesses.
Workforce Solutions of Central Texas ↗Recruiting, hiring events, candidate screening, and training funds.

Financing and local banks(7)

U.S. Small Business Administration ↗Guaranteed loans for expansion, including 7(a) and 504 loans for buildings and equipment.
USDA Rural Development ↗Business & Industry loan guarantees and other rural business programs.
PeopleFund ↗Small business loans and coaching across Texas.
LiftFund ↗Small business loans for owners who may not qualify for a bank loan.
Classic Bank ↗Local bank.
Citizens National Bank ↗Local bank.
Rockdale Federal Credit Union ↗Local credit union.

Exporting and government contracting(3)

U.S. Commercial Service ↗Federal export counseling, market research, and help finding overseas buyers.
APEX Accelerators ↗Free help selling to federal, state, and local governments, including defense.
Texas HUB Program ↗Certification for minority-, woman-, and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses selling to Texas agencies.

Attorneys, accountants, and succession advisors: call the MDD office for a referral.

Ready to talk about growing your business? Call the MDD office at 512-446-2111.