Commissioners approve voting locations, discuss economic development

Milam County Commissioners approved voting locations for November and heard an update on economic development across the county during a regular meeting on Sept. 23.

The court approved locations for Early Voting and Election Day for the Nov. 5 Constitutional Amendment election. Early voting will run from Oct. 21 through Nov. 1 at the Milam County Clerk’s Office, Buckholts Community Center, Rockdale Juvenile Justice Center and Thorndale VFW. Election Day voting will be at the Milam County Courthouse, Buckolts Community Center, Patterson Center in Rockdale and the Thorndale VFW.

Commissioners also proclaimed Tuesday, Sept. 24, as National Voter Registration Day. The Milam County Clerk’s Office will be working to register people to vote at several events throughout the county and are hoping to make the office more visible.

The Court also recognized Abbigail Miller of Milano and Kassidy Hundle of Cameron for their achievement in earning the Gold Star Award, the highest 4-H award possible, at the recent 4-H banquet. 

Milam County Judge Steve Young also updated commissioners on economic development in the county. 

Young said five solar projects are currently looking at or dedicated to bringing facilities to Milam County. Three of those have filed for abatements that will be taken up during future meetings.

The Ben Milam Project is the north end of the county is 5,000 acres and will bring 600 MW of power – enough to power 120,000 homes. The Athena project around Rockdale will have 12 acres and will host a data center along with solar power. The Belltown Project is 230 acres in Yarrelton and will provide 30 MW of power – enough to power 6,000 homes.

Young said there is also an unnamed blockchain technology company that is expected to begin construction next week that could provide 300 full-time jobs. Blockchain tech deals with encryption of data and the company plans to have the world’s largest center for artificial intelligence, graphic art, and Bitcoin here in the county.

In other business Commissioners also: approved an interlocal agreement with the Town of Buckholts for assistance with road maintenance; approved increases in some of the Sheriff’s Office and Constable fees; approved the deputation of Angelica Huerta as a part-time records management clerk; approved early retirement requirements for the county; and approved utility installations.