TAYLOR, Texas — The City of Taylor has always had a charm about it. But now more than ever, some big projects have people across Texas wanting to learn more about the city.
"We've been in this frantic pace of trying to get all of our systems in place, and our development ordinance is updated and ready to go to accommodate the growth. And we're really starting to see that uptick happening right now," said Tom Yantis, Taylor's assistant city manager.
Walking through Taylor, you can feel the rich history and the roots that created the town. But you can also feel a wave of new energy brought in from a younger crowd.
"Yeah, you know, for sure, one of the things that we've noticed is that our average age in the community is actually going down, which is unlike some of our surrounding communities," Yantis said.
And all eyes are on the new Samsung semiconductor plant. The $17 billion project will help to bring thousands of jobs to the area and transform the local economy.
"It's transformational, really, for the community. You know, an investment of that magnitude and the jobs that it's going to create," Yantis said. "What it really has the impact for the community of doing is providing an opportunity for kids that grow up here to be able to stay here and have good, high-paying jobs."
But the town is also known for its beloved mom-and-pop small businesses, including Good Strangers Coffee.
One barista at the shop said she thinks Taylor is seeing tremendous growth from a wide range of age groups.
"It's got a really cool vibe to it while still staying small. There's a lot of small local businesses, so instead of a lot of chains – there's Parmas, La Scala, that peaked my interest. There's also a really cool art scene here, live music, Black Sparrow Music Parlor. The Loose Screw has live music. There's a lot more to do than people realize," Brooke Eden said.
Whether you're looking to raise a family or just have a fun weekend road trip, Taylor has something to offer for everyone.
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