Big plans brewing near Samsung in Taylor

Opening Hype: A Dallas-based developer quietly advances construction plans for a massive data center campus just northeast of Samsung’s $17B Taylor semiconductor plant, solidifying Taylor’s position as one of Central Texas’ influential business magnet.

KDC revealed plans for its 220-acre “Project Comal” near Samsung, calling for 1.5M–2M square feet of mostly data center space across six buildings. Taylor City Council will later consider annexation and employment center zoning.

Why It Matters: Pitched as a lower-traffic warehouse alternative, the project uses closed-loop water systems alongside multiple design standards. KDC estimates about 3,000 construction jobs, with land promise for a fire station and a $75K parks donation.

Behind the Scenes: KDC has spent two years working with Taylor’s city leaders and residents. Tenants remains undisclosed, however is described allegedly as major brands. Page and Kimley-Horn are involved, with land owned by Prophet Capital Management and CM Realty.

Bigger Picture: With Samsung driving Taylor’s growth, data centers are following companies like Tesla and Compal. Despite concerns over power and water, city leaders say the location remains well-suited for industrial use, reinforcing Taylor’s position in Central Texas’ economy.

Opening Hype: Pickleball continues its rapid growth in Central Texas. A national franchise is moving into the Austin metro, expanding their reach. More newly-made courts, bigger footprints, and locations are now rolling.

Miami-based PickleRage is opening a roughly 28,000-square-foot indoor facility in Anderson Arbor, a Whitestone REIT property. The company is also scouting for two additional locations in southwest Austin and in either Round Rock or Georgetown for expansion.

Why It Matters: Austin has emerged as a national pickleball hub since Major League Pickleball launched in 2021. PickleRage’s expansion signals confidence in the metro’s growth and appetite for experiential recreation.

Bigger Picture: PickleRage is expanding quickly, signing more than 25 franchise deals in 2025 and growing to 18 states left and right. Austin is its only Texas market so far, underscoring the region’s outsized sport’s evolution.

Develop relationships with Texas state agencies, identify funded opportunities, and grow the public sector portfolio. Partner with leadership, represent the company at events, and support capture and proposal efforts.

Bachelor’s degree, 12+ years of business development experience (5+ years in public sector markets), Texas state government procurement, RFP/RFQ response knowledge, CRM platforms and Microsoft Office proficiency.

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I can’t stress enough how much Claude Code is changing every aspect of business.

Non-technical people (like me) can now build software and AI agents, just using their voice. This changes so much about how business is done.

Whether you’re a business owner, entrepreneur, manager, executive, employee, a student, really anyone, you NEED to start understanding what is happening right now.

This video should give you a good high level overview. If you’re interested in learning more, or wanting me to share more about what I’m building with it, reply and let me know.

An influx of new restaurants, retailers, and lifestyle destinations will be opening across Williamson County in 2026, signaling to more expansion.

From major brands like Costco, Target, Scheels, Shake Shack, and Hopdoddy to locally-rooted businesses such as Grey Orchard, FIFTY/50 Pilates, and Perky Beans Coffee, the mix shows both investment and local confidence.

What this business activity shows:

These openings point to a county transitioning to a more established, amenity-driven industry where people aren’t just moving in, they’re putting down roots.

Justin Benoit is the owner of Red Leaf Bookkeeping, a Leander-based bookkeeping and tax firm that helps small business owners stay organized, tax-ready, and stress-free. Built for founders who have outgrown doing it all themselves, Red Leaf Bookkeeping exists so business owners can focus on growth without constantly worrying about their numbers.

From Side Hustle Stress to Owner: “I started the firm after working with small business owners who were doing their best to manage everything on their own, but still felt unsure about their finances. I launched in 2024 to give first-time outsourcers a supportive, low-pressure way to hand off their bookkeeping with confidence.”

Early Business Pressure: “The hardest part early on was building consistent momentum while learning how to market myself and trust the process. I pushed through by staying consistent, improving a little each week, and focusing on doing great work for every client I brought on.”

Lesson Learned the Hard Way: “I spent too much time trying to appeal to everyone instead of being clear about who I actually help. It feels counterintuitive to narrow your focus, but once you niche down, everything from marketing and sales to the conversations with potential clients becomes clearer and easier.”

Why Williamson County: “I moved to Williamson County to build a better life for my family, with a lower cost of living and more opportunity. What really stood out, though, was the strong sense of community. Small business owners here value relationships and support local, which makes it a great place to build something sustainable.”

To learn more about Red Leaf Bookkeeping or connect with Justin, visit www.redleafbookkeeping.com.

11-acre Georgetown hacienda where every chandelier came from Mexico. $3.5M and worth the property tax bill.

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Evening networking with drinks, conversation, and relaxed community.

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Fresh connections and potential opportunities with local employers.

🍽️ BXN Networking Luncheon | Prost Ale House | Pflugerville | 01/27 | More
Midday relationship with professionals in a referral-focused setting.

☕ Networking Local™ Coffee Hour | Red Horn Brewery & Roastery | Leander | 01/28 | More
Relaxed mingling with professionals over coffee and conversations.

🏆 Annual Awards Banquet | Sheraton Austin Hotel & Conference Center | Georgetown | 01/30 | More
An evening honoring excellence, leadership, and shared celebration.

Thanks for reading WilCo Grind! We’ll have more updates for you next week!

See you around!