Signs of growth in downtown Taylor as city looks to the future

TAYLOR, Texas (KXAN) -- Just off the main street that cuts through downtown Taylor is the old First Presbyterian Church that sits on 6th street. Behind the 112-year building is the first hotel to open in downtown in 100 years.

The Talbot Commons Pocket Hotel is an 11-bedroom, contactless hotel. The developer owns the church that sits in front of it and bought the fellowship hall behind the church to covert those into hotel rooms.

It's a sign of the continued growth in downtown Taylor after the agreement that brought Samsung's new semiconductor plant to the small Texas town.

"It's always been kind of a little day trip from Austin, or Round Rock, or Georgetown, but we're hoping to turn it into an overnight destination -- kind of a weekend destination. The first step there is lodging," Alison Dito, the operations manager for the hotel, said.

The town has a need for retail stores and restaurants, Regina Jo Carlson, the Vice President of Taylor's Economic Development Corporation, said. She explained downtown is being revitalized and seeing some growth, with increased interest from companies wanting to open up shop in Taylor.

Samsung not only is bringing jobs into the city, but also sales tax revenue that Carlson and the EDC is taking advantage of. According to the agreement with Samsung, the city will receive a 2% use tax on the construction materials sold in the construction of the plant. Half a cent goes to the EDC which can use that revenue to create infrastructure grants to revitalize downtown's historic buildings and businesses.

Carlson said the new tax revenue has been a great help in investing back into the community. The EDC also provides other incentives to businesses at the local and state level.

Taylor's new Mayor, Dwayne Ariola, said the city is gaining a lot of interest from other companies.

"We just got to work with those companies to make sure they're profitable," Ariola said.

It is a balancing act for the city as it starts to grow. Generations of families have called the city home, but with new industry and business pumping into Taylor, it will have to learn to grow while also keeping its heritage, Ariola said.

"Taking care of our citizens that have been here for generations and welcoming our new citizens as well," Ariola explained.