Why Rockdale? Why Now?

Rockdale is a small Central Texas town with a big opportunity. We sit in the middle of one of the fastest-growing industrial regions in the country, with the land, water, and room to grow that larger communities have run out of.

Why Now

Rockdale’s leaders see a rare chance to shape the community for generations. Major projects are already underway in and around town.

  • 1,800Jobs planned

    T1 Energy at The Switch

    A solar cell plant on the former Alcoa property in Rockdale. The building topped out in summer 2026, and production is expected to begin in early 2027.

  • $17B+Samsung, Taylor

    A semiconductor cluster down US 79

    Samsung’s Taylor chip plant is about 30 minutes west, with a second fab planned. Terafab, Tesla, and Blue Origin are nearby too.

  • 100Acres

    Rockdale Industrial Park

    An MDD-owned, industrially zoned park, with Partners Development as master developer.

  • 900+New homesites

    New neighborhoods

    Cornerstone by D.R. Horton (672 lots) is building now, and Millerton Landing will add about 400 more.

  • I-14Future interstate

    A new east-west interstate

    TxDOT is studying routes for the Interstate 14 Central Texas Corridor through Milam County.

See the Regional Economy →

Why Rockdale

Click any advantage for the details.

Inside the Texas TriangleThe Dallas–Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio–Austin triangle produces 80% of Texas GDP. Rockdale sits inside it.Regional Economy → Highways, rail, air, and portsAt the junction of US 79 and US 77, on the Union Pacific line, an hour from Austin-Bergstrom Airport and three hours from Port Houston.Transportation & Logistics → A deep labor pool900,000 workers live within a 55-minute commute, drawn from the Austin, Temple-Killeen, and Bryan-College Station labor markets.Talent & Workforce → World-class researchThree Carnegie R1 universities, UT Austin, Texas A&M, and Baylor, are within about 90 minutes, with labs open to industry.Advanced R&D Facilities → Water and power to grow750,000 gallons per day of water available from the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer, and a competitive power market where you choose your provider.Available Utilities → Clean air, low riskMilam County meets every federal air quality standard, and Rockdale is 140 miles inland in one of the lowest earthquake-hazard zones in the U.S.Environmental & Natural Hazards → Homes workers can affordA new home in Rockdale costs about 42% less than the Austin metro median.Workforce Housing → Incentives that close the gapProperty tax abatement, triple Freeport, grants, and state programs, customized to each project.Incentives & Financing →

What It Costs

  • $2.49Total property tax rate per $100 of value
  • $0State personal income tax in Texas
  • 25%Lower industrial power prices in Texas than the U.S.
  • 32%Lower average wage in Milam County than the U.S.
See the Cost of Doing Business

See what Rockdale can offer your project. Call the MDD office at 512-446-2111.

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