Just minutes east of Austin, Bastrop County is emerging as one of Texas’s most dynamic growth corridors. Anchored by historic communities and fueled by transformative investments, the county is charting a course that blends innovation, industry, and authenticity.
Bastrop County: Innovation Meets Industry
At the county level, global attention has been drawn by Musk-affiliated companies—Starlink, The Boring Company, and X—which continue to expand their footprint in Bastrop County. Together, they are generating thousands of jobs and attracting international investment. Recent Bastrop County tax abatements were established enabling the development of a multi-billion-dollar data center. Recent countywide infrastructure initiatives, including a $43 million broadband grant to deliver countywide gigafiber, further strengthening Bastrop County’s ability to support both legacy businesses and next-generation industries. Projects like the 204 Texas film studio campus and Wyldwood Studios are also set to make Bastrop County a hub for creative industries with more than $200+ million in projected annual impact. In fact, all of Bastrop County has been designated as a Texas Media Production Zone with which qualified projects can participate in a sales tax rebate for 2 years of construction.
City of Bastrop: Building for the Future
As the county seat, the City of Bastrop is charting its own bold course. The city is preparing for long-term growth through transformative projects led by the Bastrop Economic Development Corporation (BEDC), which plays a central role in attracting and supporting businesses.
- Industrial Park – Bastrop’s Business & Industrial Park is home to national and international innovative companies, offering shovel-ready sites for advanced manufacturing and technology. The newest company to break ground this year represents a $4.7 million capital investment.
- Mixed-Use Growth – Developments like Sendero and Burleson Crossing East are reshaping the commercial and residential landscape, bringing new opportunities for employers and residents. Combined, these developments represent over $350 million in capital investment.
All this progress is balanced with intentional preservation of the city’s historic downtown and unique character, ensuring Bastrop remains both authentic and forward-looking.
City of Elgin: Gateway for Advanced Manufacturing
Just 20 miles from Austin, Elgin has the largest population among the three main cities in Bastrop County and has positioned itself as a hub for advanced manufacturing, distribution, and entrepreneurship. With direct access to U.S. 290 and SH-130, Elgin offers unmatched connectivity. Recent investments include expansions by Carr Lane Manufacturing, Yerico Manufacturing, and Sykes Industries in the Elgin Business Park. Major mixed-use developments like Silo Ranch and Epitome at Elgin are bringing new housing, retail, and industrial space, supporting both regional workforce needs and population growth.
City of Smithville: A Creative and Cultural Hub
On the eastern side of the county, Smithville blends history, culture, and workforce innovation. Known as the first Texas “Film Friendly” community, Smithville has hosted more than 120 productions since Hope Floats in 1998. Its municipal airport is undergoing improvements to expand access for private aviation, while Career Tracks, a unique workforce “matchmaker” program, connects students, employers, and educators across three counties. Smithville’s Cultural District, designated by the Texas Commission on the Arts, reflects its vibrant identity as a place where creativity and community thrive.
One County, One Identity
From film and technology to advanced manufacturing and cultural arts, Bastrop County and its cities are embracing growth with a shared vision. Each community contributes a strong, homegrown workforce, with all four ISDs offering dual-credit programs through Austin Community College and skills training via Career Tracks. Renowned apprenticeship programs, such as those with Acutronic, are being nurtured out of Bastrop ISD.
Together, Bastrop, Elgin, Smithville, Texas — B.E.S.T. — are uniting under a common identity to showcase the region’s collective strength. This unified front sends a clear message to businesses and investors alike: when you choose Bastrop County, you’re choosing the B.E.S.T. in investment, opportunity, innovation, and quality of life.
Opportunity Austin is the regional economic partnership fostering innovation, investment, workforce development, and livability across the Austin region. Harnessing the region’s unrivaled economic momentum, its mission is to be a force multiplier for businesses that share the drive for enduring prosperity. Ultimately, the organization improves the strength, power, and performance of our region and those who do business within it.
