BEDC Approves of Tesla Gigafactory & Film Sound Studio Study

For Immediate Release 
August 20, 2020 

Contact: Cameron Cox 
Chief Executive Officer 
(512) 332-8870 
cameron@bastropedc.org

BEDC Approves of Tesla Gigafactory & Film Sound Studio Study

The announcement of the new Tesla Gigafactory to be located near the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport creates new opportunities for Bastrop area in terms of automotive suppliers. Secondly, the continued success and growth of Studio 969 (formerly New Republic Studios) and actor Zachary Levy’s Wyldewood Studios, as well as the ongoing filming in the cities of Bastrop and Smithville, that are creating the potential for more and new investment. 

At their August 17, 2020 meeting, the Bastrop EDC Board of Directors approved these two economic development studies. One for the Tesla Gigafactory and another for a film and sound stage industry. Both studies will be conducted by Garner Economics who presented the BEDC’s strategic plan to the BEDC and the Bastrop City Council on January 15, 2020. 

“Both studies act as an amendment to that completed study to expand the BEDC’s 2019 strategic plan. Both studies also expand Garner Economics’ original study to include county-wide development opportunities and not just those within the city limits,” said Cameron Cox, CEO of Bastrop EDC.

Many of the larger tracts of land for development are those in west Bastrop County. Garner Economics will use its deep knowledge obtained during the report completed in 2019 and study the opportunities for adding an automotive supplier target to its list of business groups to recruit to the area. 

“Garner Economics’ study for a sound stage in Bastrop is going to coincide with our “Film Bastrop” initiative approved by the BEDC Board earlier this year”, said Mr.Cox. The Film Bastrop initiative is a community wide partnership being coordinated with the City of Bastrop, Bastrop Chamber of Commerce, Visit Bastrop, Bastrop County and Bastrop County Department of Economic Development. This study further works to enhance our ability to expand and market the newly acquired “Film Hospitality Capital of Texas” designation for Bastrop County.

Both of these studies are expected to be completed within the next 6-7 weeks.

For any questions, please do not call the office. We are anticipating a high number of requests for relief and the BEDC team is working remotely. Please go to our website www.bastropedc.org for information on the Bastrop Economic Development Corporation’s grant relief opportunity. Questions can be emailed through the BEDC’s website. 

About the Bastrop Economic Development Corporation. Established in 1995, the Bastrop Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) welcomes you to the next frontier of development for Central Texas. Visit BastropEDC.org for more information. 

Download the Press Release here.

Download the Garner Economics study here.

Download the BEDC Board of Directors Resolution No. 2020-0020 here.