Visions of a manufacturing-focused company town are moving forward in Caldwell County, Texas, after county commissioners unanimously approved a development agreement with two companies. Earthship, based in Lockhart, and Greenwood Ventures Group, which shares an address with developer Ashton Gray in Sugar Land, have received approval to build what has been called a “proto-town innovation hub” on 538 acres at 1307 Westwood Road.
Joshua Farahzad of Earthship described the project as similar to company towns found in China that integrate work and living environments for manufacturing employees. According to documents from Caldwell County, the planned site will serve as a demonstration area for civil construction technologies and advanced manufacturing prototypes related to robotics, space, and energy research. It will also include temporary living quarters for those involved in research activities.
The general terms of the agreement do not require financial commitments from Caldwell County. The project’s size and scope may be adjusted over time. Standard county development rules such as minimum property line setbacks and dark sky ordinances will apply.
Maps and survey details submitted so far are limited. Stakeholders have declined to offer further details or cost estimates for the project. Caldwell County Judge Hoppy Haden commented only that the opportunity is exciting for local residents. Ashton Gray purchased the land parcels in 2022.
The county is seeing other large-scale developments as well. Prime Data Centers is investing $1.3 billion into a data center project in Caldwell County (https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2024/04/16/prime-data-centers-caldwell-county.html), reflecting broader growth trends along the Austin-San Antonio corridor (https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2024/03/21/thousands-of-homes-caldwell-hays-counties.html). Despite this activity, Caldwell remains one of the least populated counties in the region; recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates put its population just above 47,000 people. A proposed subdivision with more than 1,600 homes could add further growth if built near Dale, about 32 miles southeast of Austin.
“This is an exciting opportunity for our residents,” said Judge Hoppy Haden.
