FameEX Hot Topics | Mayor Calls Bitcoin the "Digital Oil" Powering Economic Revival in Rural Texas

Mayor Ward Roddam of Rockdale, Texas, considers Bitcoin mining to be the key to his town’s recovery following the closure of its largest employer, Alcoa. Drawing a parallel to Texas’ oil boom, Roddam highlighted how this modern technology is creating jobs, boosting revenue, and funding essential services. With over $1 billion in investments, bitcoin mining has the potential to revitalize not only Rockdale but also rural Texas as a whole.

In an article for the Austin American-Statesman, Roddam explained how Rockdale’s economic outlook looked grim after the 2008 closure of the Alcoa aluminum plant, which had served as the town’s primary employer since 1952. “When Alcoa left Rockdale, the economy and tax base halved,” Roddam wrote, pointing out the significant job losses and sharp drop in tax revenue that severely hindered the town’s ability to fund crucial services like schools and parks.

Roddam credited bitcoin mining with revitalizing Rockdale by repurposing the energy infrastructure that Alcoa left behind. This industry, he explained, has had a tremendous impact on local job creation and revenue generation. Roddam shared how bitcoin miners have become essential to the communities where they operate. “In Rockdale, these companies now employ hundreds of people,” he noted. “They’ve created mid-skill jobs, allowing locals to find well-paying employment without having to leave town.”

In addition to creating jobs, bitcoin mining has provided broader benefits to Rockdale’s economy. “Thanks to bitcoin mining, we are today stronger than ever,” Roddam stated. He shared that bitcoin mining companies have invested over $1 billion in the town and have become some of the largest taxpayers in Milam County and the local school district. Beyond their contributions in tax revenue, these companies also support the community through donations to causes such as scholarships, police and fire departments, youth sports, and the Chamber of Commerce. They even sponsor events like Rockdale’s annual Christmas tree lighting.

Roddam urged state lawmakers to recognize the positive role that bitcoin mining has played in rural Texas. He concluded, “Bitcoin is like a digital oil well, poised to fuel the economic revival of rural Texas—if we allow it to grow.” He stressed the importance of understanding the transformative impact bitcoin mining can have on the local economy and the opportunities it offers for the future.

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