Bastrop Mayor Ishmael Harris has outlined a comprehensive strategy for managing the city's rapid growth while preserving its historic character and fostering community partnerships. The mayor, a lifelong Bastrop resident and former Planning & Zoning chair, emphasized that collaboration between city, county, and school districts is essential to managing regional impact as the city has grown by nearly 6,000 residents since 2019.
The growth has been driven by Bastrop's proximity to Austin and strategic appeal to major companies including SpaceX, Starlink, and LS Electric. Harris noted that regional cooperation is critical because people come to Bastrop for multiple purposes. "The counties rely on the cities, and the cities rely on the county," Harris said during an appearance on The Building Texas Show. "We have to make things happen here that serve everyone - because people come to Bastrop for work, shopping, and community."
Harris, who first engaged civically by speaking at public meetings before serving as Planning & Zoning chair and then mayor, credits that experience with preparing him to lead during this transformational period. His approach focuses on long-term impact rather than temporary solutions. "I want to build long-lasting things - an impact for the next hundred years," he shared. "We're not here for temporary fixes. We're setting Bastrop up for the future."
The arrival of Elon Musk-affiliated companies brought both opportunity and concern to the community. Harris highlighted the importance of direct engagement to ensure corporate responsibility, stating, "We expect them to be excellent community partners - not just take from us." Initiatives like SpaceX's involvement in Bear Tech robotics and LS Electric's internship programs reflect what Harris describes as a shared commitment to local investment.
Bastrop's historic downtown remains a cultural anchor, hosting annual traditions like the August Homecoming Parade celebrating WWII veterans' return and the Lighted Christmas Parade, which draws over 10,000 visitors. Upcoming events include the third annual Mardi Gras festival featuring live music, a gumbo cook-off, and community-wide gatherings.
Key priorities for 2026 include establishing a regional hospital to serve Bastrop County's 115,000-plus residents and surrounding rural areas, developing a community recreation center designed for long-term sustainability, and strengthening partnerships to make Bastrop a self-sustaining community where residents can live, work, and thrive locally. The full conversation offers deeper insights into Bastrop's growth strategy and quality-of-life investments, available through The Building Texas Show's platform.
