Iola ISD considers tax break agreement for SpaceX Terafab project
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Iola school board to vote July 14 on JETI agreement that could reshape the small Grimes County community
Iola ISD is considering an agreement that would provide a tax break for the SpaceX Terafab project, a decision that could significantly change the small Texas community.
The Iola school board held a public hearing Tuesday night at Iola Elementary School, where residents shared mixed feelings about the proposal.
Alec Pointer, school board president, acknowledged the tension many residents feel about the potential changes.
"People, you know, like the idea of their taxes going down, but they don't like the idea of change," Pointer said.
Attendance at the hearing was lighter than some expected. Local resident Robert Duncan said he was surprised by the turnout.
"One of the things that really surprised me when I walked in here today was how small the group of folks that were in attendance. I really thought there was gonna be a lot more, uh, with people asking a lot of questions," Duncan said.
Local resident Dell Hamilton said growth in the community is unavoidable, but how residents respond to it matters.
"My personal thoughts on it are that change is inevitable. It's gonna happen one way or the other, and it's what we make of that change that it makes a difference," Hamilton said.
Despite the uncertainty, Duncan said the hearing was informative.
"We left with an understanding of what the potential benefits could be for us here in Iola," Duncan said.
Hamilton expressed optimism about what the project could mean for younger generations.
"This opportunity will create even more opportunities for our kids," Hamilton said.
Local resident Bobbie Jo Swafford said she hopes any growth comes at a manageable pace.
"We can have growth in Grimes County. It doesn't have to be overnight growth though. We can have steady growth over the next few years that looks a little bit different than everything happening overnight," Swafford said.
Pointer said the board heard a range of opinions from those who attended.
"I mean, I, I heard a lot of people say we're not sure yet," Pointer said.
The Iola school board will vote on the JETI agreement Tuesday, July 14, at 7:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Iola Elementary cafeteria.
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