Williamson County officials offer Samsung updates, tease future international investments

Big things are on the horizon for Williamson County as the Samsung plant in Taylor approaches its opening date.

County Judge Bill Gravell told county commissioners February 6 about a recent trip to South Korea, where he and other Wilco representatives attended a semiconductor conference to speak about economic development in America 

“The trip I feel like was positive,” he said. “I believe in the days ahead, we will be making significant announcements not only from this dais but from all of our sister cities as well.”

Mr. Gravell traveled with Taylor Mayor Brandt Rydell, Dave Porter, Wilco Economic Development Partnership executive director, Taylor EDC President  Ben White and  Randall Malik, director of economic development for Leander. 

Mr. Gravell said he spoke to the new CFO for Samsung Worldwide. Mr. Gravell revealed that Samsung will begin receiving occupants at their Taylor location no later than July 1, and the company will begin manufacturing within that time frame. He said even though the company could begin to manufacture the semiconductor wafer, it could take three to four months for them to complete the process.

As for the Taylor sight, Samsung is adding the foundations for the second data processing center. Fab One is 5.4 million square feet, with Fab Two planning to be over 6 million square feet. The 11.4 million square-foot facility will be the largest single building in the United States of America. 

Additionally, the team that visited South Korea had 30 separate meetings with different businesses that are looking at expanding in North America. Mr. Gravell promised to list many of those companies in the future.