BlockBeats news, October 8, according to CryptoSlate, the mayor of Rockdale, Texas, Ward Roddam, emphasized the key role of Bitcoin in revitalizing the city's economy. In an October 7 column, Roddam explained that the world is approaching a new economic era, which he called a "digital energy boom" driven primarily by Bitcoin. He pointed out that rural communities, including Rockdale, have benefited from it.
Rockdale was once a prosperous manufacturing center, where Alcoa's aluminum plant was located from 1952 to the closure of Alcoa in 2008. The government shutdown has led to a significant reduction in tax revenue and employment opportunities, bringing funding challenges to public services. In recent years, Bitcoin mining companies such as Riot Platform and Bitdeer have reused Alcoa's old facilities for their operations. The site has extensive energy infrastructure, including substations and transmission lines, which Bitcoin miners rely heavily on. Initially Roddam was reserved about the miners. However, after working with industry leaders for many years, he began to see their positive impact. He said: "As the mayor of Rockdale and a lifelong resident, I learned that Bitcoin miners invest heavily in the communities where they work. In Rockdale, these companies now employ hundreds of people. They have created middle-skill jobs that allow locals to find high-paying jobs without leaving the city." Roddam emphasized that Bitcoin miners have made a significant contribution to the local economy by creating new jobs. Their investment exceeds $1 billion and they actively support community initiatives through donations and sponsorships.
Looking to the future, Roddam believes that "the planned expansion of the Riot platform in Corsicana can replicate the city's success and further strengthen the region's economy. The new facility in Corsicana will become one of the largest employers in Navarro County, potentially bringing in $1.4 billion in taxable purchases and more than $115 million in wages over the next decade. Bitcoin is like a digital oil well, and if we allow it to grow, it will power the economic recovery of rural Texas."
