FROM THE EDITOR
The new year beckons and the door opens to new worlds and new opportunities.
That means challenges ahead for elected representatives, government staffers and the residents who support them and pay their salaries through taxation.
Here are some of the benchmarks, issues and potential triumphs shaping up for 2026:
SAMSUNG AUSTIN SEMICONDUCTOR
Like it or not, the multibilliondollar fabrication facility producing cutting-edge technology is expected to be operational in 2026. Since November 2021 when Gov. Greg Abbott and South Korean business operators announced the initial $17 billion project, life in Taylor and Hutto has not been the same. This high-tech behemoth rising from the Blackland Prairie has also loomed over local culture, influencing everything from schools adopting modern training programs to strengthening alliances with Asian markets. With an expected influx of 1,800 or more skilled workers, residents in the land of the Ducks and the Hippos have a choice to make — welcome the newcomers with smiles and open arms, or brace for the impact that is coming no matter what.
IDENTITY CRISIS
Samsung brought with it a host of ancillary businesses, from new entertainment venues to data centers.
Many have greeted these new employers and sources of revenue with enthusiasm, but others have pined over what they see as the erosion of an agrarian way of life. True, many family farms are disappearing, but just as Central Texas gave rise to the cotton crop as part of an innovative industry, so too will the businesses powering the age of artificial intelligence. Locals need to realize change is here and not all change is bad.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING/TRAFFIC
As new workers flock to the area, cities must continue to seek ways to help boost housing for these employees and their families. Taylor, for one, was not prepared for the expected arrivals, though the city now is making a goodfaith effort to catch up by encouraging affordable housing. The same can be said for infrastructure needs including a rise in vehicular traffic. Opening a segment of the East Wilco Highway was a good start, but U.S. 79 and Chandler Road still present challenges the Texas Department of Transportation must address.
A NEW MAYOR
For the first time, Taylor voters in May will directly select a top executive for the city, rather than allowing the City Council to name the mayor from within its own ranks. Most Texas cities already allow voters to pick a mayor; Taylor until now was the exception.
Choose wisely, as the person who heads the government at City Hall should be someone with a heartfelt understanding of Taylor’s proud past but also possess the acumen to deal with international businesses and emerging tech consortiums while keeping locals in mind.
Thomas Edwards
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