• The Big Empty and Economic Issues Facing 21st Century Texas

  • By: Thomas Fox
  • Podcast

The Big Empty and Economic Issues Facing 21st Century Texas

By: Thomas Fox
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  • Summary

  • This is a special podcast series on current economic and culture issues faced by the state of Texas, its governments and its citizens. We will explore these issues with author Loren Steffy, through the prism of his book The Big Empty. The Big Empty set in 1999, is a tale about the sense of place and tells the story of a fictional company AzTech which builds a semi-conductor plant in the dying west Texas city of Conquistador. Over this special podcast series we will consider the following issues facing Texas today; including water, power, land investment, housing and the clash of cultures.
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Economics Leadership Political Science
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Episodes
  • The Big Empty and Economic Issues Facing 21st Century Texas: Part 5-Housing

    The Big Empty and Economic Issues Facing 21st Century Texas: Part 5-Housing
    Nov 16 2022
    This is a special podcast series on current economic and culture issues faced by the state of Texas, its governments and its citizens. We will explore these issues with author Loren Steffy, through the prism of his book The Big Empty. The Big Empty set in 1999, is a tale about the sense of place and tells the story of a fictional company AzTech which builds a semi-conductor plant in the dying west Texas city of Conquistador. The attempt is beset by the clash of culture in bringing Silicon Valley tech entrepreneurs to rural Texas. The book also raises multiple economic issues facing Texas as we move towards the mid 21st century. Over this 5-part podcast series we will consider the following issues facing Texas today; including water, power, land investment, housing and the clash of cultures. In Episode 5, we look at the issue of housing in Texas. In the book, the newcomers build a gated community, which has a huge fountain at the entrance. There is a private golf course attached to the gated community. What happens to small towns when a large manufacturing plant moves in? What happens to the property values? Where can local teachers, firefighter and police live? What happens when incoming plant workers have to live in other towns. What is affordable housing? What is achievable housing? Do you want long or even short term rentals to propagate in your small town. These and other affordable living issues are front in center in Texas today. Purchase The Big Empty
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    16 mins
  • The Big Empty and 5 Economic Issues Facing 21st Century Texas: Part 4-Culture Clash

    The Big Empty and 5 Economic Issues Facing 21st Century Texas: Part 4-Culture Clash
    Nov 16 2022
    This is a special podcast series on current economic and culture issues faced by the state of Texas, its governments and its citizens. We will explore these issues with author Loren Steffy, through the prism of his book The Big Empty. The Big Empty set in 1999, is a tale about the sense of place and tells the story of a fictional company AzTech which builds a semi-conductor plant in the dying west Texas city of Conquistador. The attempt is beset by the clash of culture in bringing Silicon Valley tech entrepreneurs to rural Texas. The book also raises multiple economic issues facing Texas as we move towards the mid 21st century. Over this 5-part podcast series we will consider the following issues facing Texas today; including water, power, land investment, housing and the clash of cultures. In Episode 4, we consider the clash of culture when a new employer moves into a small, rural town. Early in the book is ‘the punch’ where local leader Trace Malloy, punches Blaine Witherspoon in the face, breaking his nose. Much of the book follows from this act in detailing the clash of cultures brought to the tiny west Texas town of Conquistador. We consider what led up to the punch and how both sides deal with it going forward. Witherspoon goes on a roundup and Malloy visits a semi-conductor plant clean room. Finally the book shows how both communities can come together in a time of crisis and how they can use this as a basis to move forward together. As more people move to Texas, how will native Texans adapt to their new neighbors. Purchase The Big Empty
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    16 mins
  • The Big Empty and Economic Issues Facing 21st Century Texas: Part 3-Land and Development

    The Big Empty and Economic Issues Facing 21st Century Texas: Part 3-Land and Development
    Nov 16 2022
    This is a special podcast series on current economic and culture issues faced by the state of Texas, its governments and its citizens. We will explore these issues with author Loren Steffy, through the prism of his book The Big Empty. The Big Empty set in 1999, is a tale about the sense of place and tells the story of a fictional company AzTech which builds a semi-conductor plant in the dying west Texas city of Conquistador. The attempt is beset by the clash of culture in bringing Silicon Valley tech entrepreneurs to rural Texas. The book also raises multiple economic issues facing Texas as we move towards the mid 21st century. Over this 5-part podcast series we will consider the following issues facing Texas today; including water, power, land investment, housing and the clash of cultures. In Episode 3, we consider land and development. How was the town of Conquistador able to get AzTech to build a semi-conductor plant in their hometown. What are the laws in Texas which allow communities to cut taxes for new development and how are those laws employed? How do Chapter 313 incentives work? Who makes up the school district tax revenue shortfall? What is the resort effective and how does that impact local property values? How will Texas compete with other states for development going forward. For Texas to continue to grow it will have to entice companies to Texas but will it continue to do so based upon the pocketbooks of its citizens? Purchase The Big Empty
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    13 mins

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