Before taking up a thousand acres of Taylor, the city’s newest incoming residents have explained their hopes to benefit and not annoy its new home.
Representatives from the Samsung Austin Semiconductor plant visited with members of Taylor’s business community at the Greater Taylor Chamber of Commerce luncheon Monday, March 21. The meeting was held at the Taylor ISD Main Street Events Center to the large crowd.
“The economic impact for Taylor and Williamson County will be substanstial,” said Dana Harris, Samsung Austin Semiconductor director of government relations. “For example, in total, Samsung Austin Semiconductor had a $4.5 billion impact last year and toward 2020. Supporting nearly 10,000 in central Texas and producing more than $468 million in salaries for our employees. This additional investment in the area will multiply that.”
Harris said even with tax abatements approved by governmental entities, Samsung will still be the largest taxpayer in the county.
“It’s important that you understand that these incentives do not remove our tax obligations,” said Harris. “We will still be paying taxes from the start of the project on.”
Officials expanded on previously discussed details of the upcoming Taylor facility since the November 2021 announcement by Samsung and government officials. The $17 billion semiconductor plant is expected to create 2,585 new jobs, with 785 indirect jobs and 1,800 direct employment positions.
“We are just getting started now,” said Matt Menotti, Samsung Austin Semiconductor senior facilities project director. “It is really big – 1,200 acres. It’s a very large piece of land. We will very closely monitor and adhere to our zoning standard for the noise levels within the property.”
Menotti and officials also went over construction, water, wastewater, farmland conservation, employment and other local variables related to the plant. They also announced the launch of the internship program with Taylor High School.
“We’re trying to demonstrate that we’re not coming into your community to force things on you. We want to work together and be friends,” emphasized Michele Glaze, Samsung Austin Semiconductor head of communications and community relations. “We want to continue to work with our neighbors. We want to continue to work with the city of Taylor and work with the chamber. We don’t want to change Taylor. We love Taylor. We found you to be this lovely little cultural charm in the middle of Texas. We want to keep that, … but we do want to help advance in areas where it makes a difference for us as well – internships, employment, economic development.”
