Bitmain confirmed public reports, including by the Texas Crypto Alliance, that they are setting up a massive crypto mining facility outside of Rockdale, Texas. Construction has already started and will finish in the fourth quarter of 2018, with operations starting in early 2019.

In a press release Bitmain confirmed the launch of its newest data center and provided figures on the economic impact on the area. Bitmain will invest over $500 million in the initial period of seven years and create over 400 local jobs. Bitmain will become a local taxpayer to the county, school districts, State of Texas, and other local taxing entities.

According to the press release Bitmain “plans to partner with the local schools and educational institutions to provide professional and technical training programs that would prepare members of the community for careers with the data center.”

Milam County has a population of 24,372, a median household income of $39,213, and a poverty rate of 15.5%. The economy of Milam County employs 9,260 people. Bitmain will add 400 good paying jobs to Milam County in about two years, over a 4% increase of jobs from a single company.

The Texas Crypto Alliance applauds Milam County and the City of Rockdale for working with Bitmain to earn their business and the huge economic development that comes with it. The State of Texas needs to take a page out of Milam County’s book and seriously consider becoming the go to place for crypto miners and the crypto industry as a whole. Texas brags about being “Open for Business” and it is time that applied to the booming crypto industry.

Bitmain is currently hiring positions based in Rockdale and expect more job openings to be posted as the facility gets closer to opening in early 2019.