Mike Ferdinand, Executive Director, Matagorda County Economic Development Corporation

Mike Ferdinand, executive director of the Matagorda County Economic Development Corporation, sees the county’s mix of energy assets, industrial capacity, and natural resources creating a strong platform for future growth. In an interview with Invest:, Ferdinand discussed the county’s expanding clean-energy portfolio, workforce partnerships, and infrastructure advantages. “We are an energy hub for the Houston metropolitan area,” Ferdinand said.

How would you describe Matagorda County’s economic landscape, and what changes have influenced your decisions over the past year?

I would describe our current economic landscape as exciting. Matagorda County is a healthy blend of rural and industrial entities. We also have a large presence in foreign direct investment, and many of our major industries are foreign-owned.

With an area that is rich in energy and has water available while other Texas communities are struggling, we are well positioned to be the next go-to place in the Houston metropolitan area.

What role do you see the county playing within the Greater Houston region, and which industries are creating the strongest opportunities?

Energy is a part of our economic heart. We have the largest nuclear power plant in Texas, the South Texas Project Nuclear Operating Company, and we also have several carbon-free energy assets.

Linea Energy recently announced a half-gigawatt solar farm that is beginning construction. We also have a large wind-energy development with RWE. Other possibilities include geothermal companies that would harness heat from the Earth to generate electricity. We are an energy hub for the Houston metropolitan area.

Because we have abundant energy, we also have a chemical industry that is maturing and continuing to grow. Companies such as LyondellBasell, Oxea, formerly OQ Chemicals, and Air Liquide are critical to our core economy. Other companies are looking at the county, although some remain in the discussion phase.

We also have Tenaris, an Argentine company that manufactures drill pipes. It was a major-impact project for Matagorda County, and the company is now one of our largest employers. With the continuing expansion of drilling in the Eagle Ford Shale, we see a great deal of prosperity for that facility.

What impact are these industrial investments having on the county, and what do they signal for its future?

These companies are creating quality jobs. These are the types of jobs that create additional employment either indirectly or through induced economic activity. When you have well-paying salaries with stable companies, that provides the base to grow commercial and retail activity and expand residential development.

Agriculture also remains a significant part of our community. We have some large cow-calf operations, and the county continues to produce cotton, sorghum, corn, and rice. It is a dynamic balance that works well for our community.

How are emerging energy technologies, such as battery storage, changing the county’s energy landscape?

We are receiving a lot of inquiries related to battery energy storage systems. Right now, we have three under construction, and we anticipate more, especially because of the presence of solar and wind development.

These batteries help balance the grid and make non-carbon-based electricity available for longer periods than the actual collection and production cycle. We are seeing that sector expand and expect it to continue doing so for the foreseeable future.

What opportunities do you see related to data centers and other energy-intensive digital infrastructure?

Data centers are a major topic of discussion across the country and within Texas. The fact that ERCOT classifies us as a power-rich area has companies looking at Matagorda County.

MARA Holdings and HIF Global recently announced that they are working to move a large-scale data center project forward in the county. It is still early in the process, so we do not yet know what the total impact would be. We look forward to working through that process and determining whether it can create the type of economic windfall seen in other communities.

What are local employers looking for in the workforce, and how are education partners helping build the talent pipeline?

Wharton County Junior College has a tremendous branch in Matagorda County and works closely with our industries. It has a nuclear process technology program that helps build the pipeline for our nuclear plant. Operating a nuclear facility requires specialized skills, and the college has helped train people from the beginning.

The process technology program also supports our chemical industries because many of the skill sets overlap. Tenaris has worked directly with the college to develop maintenance and related programs. It is a close partnership that is setting us up for the future.

We are also fortunate that the state continues to invest in skilled trades. As subdivisions and retail grow, we need more carpenters, plumbers, and electricians, and those programs are being added. With emerging sectors such as data centers and battery storage, the college is also expanding high-voltage and welding programs to address skill gaps.

What differentiates Matagorda County when companies are evaluating locations?

Labor is the first consideration. Matagorda County has an abundant labor force. During the day, our population grows from about 36,000 to nearly 80,000 as people commute to work. As housing begins to catch up with demand, we expect fewer people to commute and more people to move into the county.

Skill sets are also important. Our community college is helping fill those gaps, and many of our residents come from rural and agricultural backgrounds, which creates a strong work ethic. That is critical for manufacturers.

Transportation costs also play a role. We have two shallow-draft ports, and parts of the county are served by both BNSF Railway and Union Pacific. Some areas are also served by more than one electric provider, which creates competition and allows companies to determine what best suits their operations.

We also have a well-developed pipeline network that crisscrosses the county and transports a variety of products. It acts as an invisible highway for chemical and process industries, allowing them to tap into the network rather than relying entirely on barges or trucks. That reduces costs and is critical to our future.

The final factor is the business climate. Companies want to know whether a community is open and accepting of industry. Our high concentration of foreign direct investment demonstrates that Matagorda County is a welcoming community.

How are quality of life, tourism, and community development supporting long-term economic growth?

We have a well-established ecotourism industry that continues to develop. Matagorda Beach has 21 miles of undeveloped natural beach that people can drive on, allowing them to experience nature in ways that are not possible in many other places.

We are also known as the birding capital of Texas because we are located in a migratory flyway. For people interested in birding or nature, we are one of the state’s hubs. We also have fishing, hunting, and other outdoor activities, with both saltwater and freshwater fishing available.

Our communities are focused on making this a great place to live, work, and play. Bay City is preparing to break ground on a new aquatic center representing a $14 million investment. We also have about 500 new homes either completed or under construction, and retail is expanding alongside that growth.

Palacios is also adding housing along the bay, and one of its historic properties is being considered for conversion into a resort. When it comes to living, working, and playing, we perform well.

What are your top priorities for the next two to three years?

Our first priority is developing the infrastructure needed to support existing communities. As more people move to Matagorda County, we must ensure that residential, commercial, and public infrastructure can accommodate them.

We will continue focusing on our core industries, particularly energy development and diversification. Geothermal is especially exciting because it would be new to Matagorda County. We are also a sound manufacturing community and want to continue supporting that base.

Finally, we want more people to be aware of the county’s natural beauty. The birds, bays, and Colorado River are all assets we hope to highlight more prominently in the future.