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A Texas rancher and businessman is hoping to entice new Twitter owner Elon Musk to central Texas, offering up free land for Musk to build a new headquarters for the company.
"Elon Musk, Move Twitter to Schwertner, TX. 38 Miles North of Austin in Williamson County, and we will give you 100 Acres for FREE," said Jim Schwertner, the CEO and President of Capitol Land & Livestock, on Twitter Tuesday.
Elon Musk (REUTERS/Michele Tantussi/File Photo / Reuters Photos)
Schwertner's offer garnered attention from local media outlets, but the longtime rancher said his only goal is to help his local community.
"I am very serious about the offer," Schwertner told Fox Business Thursday, noting that the land he is offering is worth millions of dollars.
Schwertner pointed out that the location of the property would be perfect for Musk, who has already expanded the footprint of Tesla in central Texas. He noted that Schwertner metro area is "growing fast," projected to add another 450,000 in population by 2050.
But unlike California, the current location of Twitter's headquarters, Schwertner pointed out that the location north of Austin offers "affordable housing and places to live."
Photo illustration the logo of Twitter can be seen on a smartphone. ((Photo Illustration by Thomas Trutschel/Photothek via Getty Images) / Getty Images)
The land Twitter could build on is right now "mainly ranching and farm land," Schwertner said, but pointed out that it has "good access" to I-35 and enjoys "good infrastructure" that is already in place.
Schwertner said the area could serve as a "new frontier for Elon," while boasting that the area is "very conservative" and has "a lot of good labor and smart people."
But the Texas businessman isn't the only person trying to tempt Musk to their location, with Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry also calling on Musk to bring the company to Florida.
Musk, who recently reached an agreement with Twitter on a mammoth $44 billion purchase of the company, moved Tesla's headquarters from California to Texas last year, citing the cost of living in California as one of the primary reasons.
Elon Musk ((Photo by Patrick Pleul - Pool/Getty Images) / Getty Images)
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"It’s tough for people to afford houses and a lot of people have to come in from far away," Musk said at the time. "We’ve taken it as far as possible but…there’s a limit to how big you can scale it in the Bay Area."
Musk made the personal move to Texas as well, becoming a resident of Austin in 2020.
As an expert in business and regional economic development, it's evident that the Texas rancher and businessman, Jim Schwertner, is strategically leveraging the economic landscape of central Texas to attract Elon Musk's attention and potentially relocate Twitter's headquarters. Schwertner's proposition, offering 100 acres of free land in Schwertner, TX, presents a unique opportunity that's worthy of consideration.
Firstly, Schwertner's emphasis on the location's proximity to Austin, just 38 miles north, aligns with Elon Musk's existing ventures in central Texas, particularly the expansion of Tesla. This showcases a keen understanding of Musk's business interests and suggests a well-researched effort to provide an appealing proposition.
Schwertner intelligently highlights the region's growth potential, projecting an increase of 450,000 in population by 2050. This data-driven approach demonstrates an awareness of demographic trends, underlining the viability of central Texas as a hub for technology companies.
One of Schwertner's persuasive arguments revolves around the affordability of housing and living in the proposed location, differentiating it from California, where Twitter's current headquarters are located. This aligns with Musk's past decision to move Tesla's headquarters to Texas, citing the high cost of living in California as a primary motivator.
Furthermore, Schwertner draws attention to the infrastructure advantages of the offered land, emphasizing its good access to I-35 and existing infrastructure. This is crucial information, as it addresses practical considerations for business operations and expansion.
Schwertner's characterization of the area as a "new frontier for Elon" cleverly positions it as an opportunity for Musk to pioneer and expand, appealing to Musk's innovative spirit. Additionally, the mention of the region being "very conservative" and having "a lot of good labor and smart people" suggests a proactive effort to align the values and culture of the community with Musk's preferences.
It's worth noting that Schwertner is not alone in attempting to attract Musk, with Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry also making a pitch for Twitter to move to Florida. However, Schwertner's offer stands out due to its tangible incentive of free land, coupled with a well-articulated understanding of Musk's business decisions and the advantages of central Texas.
In conclusion, Jim Schwertner's proposition is a well-crafted and informed attempt to position central Texas as an ideal location for Twitter's new headquarters, backed by a comprehensive understanding of Musk's preferences, regional advantages, and demographic trends.
