Current as of Q1 2026
There are many exciting things happening in Matagorda County. The following is a summary of activity during 2025 and 2026. The Matagorda County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) is actively advancing a portfolio of economic development projects focused on industrial recruitment, infrastructure improvements, workforce development, and coastal resiliency. While many private-sector projects remain confidential due to active site selection and negotiations, the organization reports multiple ongoing efforts expected to generate significant capital investment and job creation in the near term.
In parallel, the county is benefiting from major coastal and tourism-related investments, including the approximately $86 million Sargent Beach restoration project, which aims to stabilize shoreline infrastructure, enhance public access, and support long-term economic activity tied to tourism and coastal industries.
Additional efforts across the region include drainage and infrastructure improvements, , and long-range planning to address flooding concerns, coastal access and tourism development, all of which contribute to improving quality of life and supporting future business recruitment.
Overall, MCEDC’s current project pipeline reflects a balanced strategy of business recruitment, existing industry expansion, infrastructure investment, and environmental resilience, positioning Matagorda County for sustained economic growth.
- South Texas Project Electric Generating Station (STP) – a nuclear operating company, located just south of Bay City, is the county’s largest private employer with 11500 employees. STP has entered a new ownership phase when Constellation Energy purchased a major stake previously held by NRG Energy. Constellation agreed to acquire NRG’s 44% ownership interest in the two-unit nuclear facility for about $1.75 billion (roughly $1.4 billion after tax benefits).
- Lodestar Energy Group, LLC– continues to develop plans to build the new Matagorda rail yard near El Maton.
- Duffy Energy Storage Project, LLC, which received approval from the Matagorda County Commissioners Court for a tax abatement agreement tied to a battery energy storage facility. This project is specifically to support Lyondell Bassell’s Bay City Facility. This project reflects the county’s growing role in grid reliability, renewable energy integration, and large-scale energy infrastructure investment.
- Air Liquide– has just completed its expanded presence in Bay City and Matagorda County with an argon line and enhanced rail transportation. This expansion strengthens the region’s industrial gas supply chain and supports major energy and chemical manufacturing projects while adding new high-skill jobs.
- RWE (formerly E-on) – completed construction of Payton Creek II a 243 MW wind farm for Matagorda County. Estimated investment $300+ million.
- Oyster Research and Recovery Center– located in Palacios is operated by a partnership between Harte Research Institute and Texas A&M AgriLife Research. The recent operations will be focused on producing larvae for aquaculture farmers, forming partnerships for the development of new oyster reef habitat, bolstering the economic resilience of coastal communities, and ensuring responsible stewardship of Gulf Coast resources for future generations.
The facility also serves as a research and training hub. Through partnerships with institutions such as Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, the program provides workforce training in oyster hatchery operations, aquaculture techniques, and coastal ecosystem management. These programs help develop a skilled workforce while advancing sustainable oyster farming and reef restoration across the Texas coast. (txoystertraining.org)
OXEA Chemicals – has expanded its Bay City operations by adding new propionaldehyde capacity and related infrastructure—effectively a new “line” of production—to supply key feedstocks, utilities, and site services for Röhm’s world-scale MMA plant. This investment is part of its “Propel” project and is fully integrated with Röhm’s facility, ensuring a reliable, on-site supply chain.
Röhm America LLC developed a large-scale methyl methacrylate (MMA) production facility in Bay City to strengthen North American supply for acrylic plastics, coatings, and specialty materials. The plant began production in March 2025 and uses Roehm’s advanced LiMA C2 technology, which improves efficiency while reducing energy and water use. compared to older production methods. The project represents a significant petrochemical investment in Matagorda County and supports regional industrial growth and long-term manufacturing employment.
In addition to the investments listed above, there are several ongoing projects being worked which will bring substantial capital investment and job creation to Matagorda County. Due to the early stages of site selection and due diligence, details on these activities cannot be disclosed at this time.