Mike Kamerlander

What we talked about

A regional economy built around making things

Mike Kamerlander describes Hays and Caldwell counties as a region shaped by its position between Austin and San Antonio, its transportation connections and the influence of Texas State University. In this Making Names conversation with Aidan Evans, the president and CEO of the Hays Caldwell Economic Development Partnership explains why manufacturing is central to its recruitment work. He points to food production, advanced manufacturing, materials science, aerospace and defense as areas of focus. The aim is not to imitate either neighboring city, but to connect the region's strengths with companies that can build and employ locally.

Why a new employer can matter to a family

Kamerlander explains economic development through the distinction between export-oriented employers and the local businesses their workers support. A manufacturer selling products outside the area brings spending into the region; employees then buy meals, groceries and services near home. He connects that activity to a more personal goal: giving residents a chance to work closer to where they live instead of commuting to Austin or San Antonio. Wages and housing costs have to be considered together. A better-paying job does not solve affordability if the cost of a home rises faster than income.

A project in one city can benefit its neighbors

Regional cooperation matters because workers, shoppers and families cross city boundaries. Kamerlander uses food-industry projects in Buda and Lockhart to explain how an employer can draw staff from surrounding communities and support spending elsewhere. Different cities also want different kinds of investment. A project that does not fit one location may be appropriate for another. That variety gives the partnership more ways to respond to a company's needs while respecting local priorities. The success of a neighboring city does not have to be treated as a loss.

Looking ahead while cities handle today

Kamerlander describes the regional partnership as a complement to municipal economic-development teams. Cities have immediate projects, budget cycles and council priorities to manage. A regional organization can look further ahead, market shared strengths and help prepare an industry that may become more established over time. Aerospace and defense are his examples of that longer view. He also sees family activities, restaurants and other local amenities as important parts of the picture. Residents should have reasons to spend their leisure time in the corridor, not only earn their living there.

Steering growth without erasing local character

For Kamerlander, protecting a community's identity requires planning rather than assuming change can be avoided. He recalls locating Lockhart's industrial park beyond SH-130 to provide space for industry while preserving the experience of its historic center. The principle is to guide investment toward places where it fits. He is also clear that communities can reject proposals that conflict with their goals, while acknowledging limits on what economic-development teams control. A stated direction helps staff respond when a company arrives. Growth is the setting for those decisions; local character should remain part of the test.