NEW TESLA “GIGAFACTORY” IN TRAVIS CO. TO BE LOCATED IN BLUEBONNET ELECTRIC COOP SERVICE AREA

  

A new $1.1 billion electric automotive factory to be built by Tesla in Travis County is set to be located within the footprint of Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative.

The property for the new Gigafactory, which will be located on 2,100 acres of land on State Highway 130 and Harold Green Road, with the Colorado River acting as the property’s southern boundary, sits on the western side of Bluebonnet’s service territory.  As the property in southeast Travis County is located within Bluebonnet’s service area, the cooperative has the legal responsibility to provide power to the facility.

The factory plans to employ at least 5,000 people, with many averaging a starting salary of $35,000.

Bluebonnet Public Affairs Manager Will Holford said this is an “enormous opportunity” that will have “significant, positive benefits” for Bluebonnet’s electric system, its members, and the community surrounding the new assembly plant.

 

Holford said this new factory will spur economic growth in an area of Travis County that desperately needs it, bringing new jobs along with residential and commercial development.

Holford said Bluebonnet should have no problems serving the project, even one of this size.

 

Tesla officials said they plan to break ground at the site by the third quarter of 2020.