Milam County vs. Reeves County
Aluminum & Oil
Today matches a central Texas agricultural hub with the energy giant of the West. Milam County (northeast of Austin) is a land of rolling fields, historic Alcoa plants, and a growing commuter population. Reeves County (in the Trans-Pecos) is the home of Pecos, famous for cantaloupes and the world's first rodeo, but currently defined by a massive oil boom. One is transitioning from heavy industry; the other is in the thick of it.
Milam County (Population Approx. 25,000)
Milam County is at a crossroads. Cameron and Rockdale were once defined by the massive Alcoa aluminum smelter. Today, the county is reinventing itself as a tech and logistics hub (with new data centers) while maintaining its agricultural roots. The vibe is resilient and shifting, as the Austin metroplex creeps closer. Challenges include upgrading infrastructure for new industries and managing growth.
Reeves County (Population Approx. 14,000)
Reeves County is the engine of the Delaware Basin. Pecos is a town transformed by the oil and gas industry, with traffic, hotels, and businesses catering to the energy sector. Historically known for its sweet cantaloupes and rodeo history, the modern reality is industrial intensity. The community faces the classic boomtown struggles: housing shortages, strained roads, and the need for public services to catch up with population spikes.
Why It Matters
Milam County shows how rural areas adapt when big industry leaves (and returns in new forms). Reeves County shows the price and prize of energy independence. Both counties are critical to the state's economic grid.
Why Forward
Forward believes that the tech worker in Rockdale and the roughneck in Pecos both power our future.
In Milam County, the future is digital and agricultural. Open Primaries would allow the community to elect leaders who understand the complex needs of data centers and farmers, moving beyond partisan labels. Ranked Choice Voting would help the diverse towns work together for county-wide investment.
In Reeves County, the infrastructure crisis is real. Ranked Choice Voting empowers the permanent residents to elect leaders who will fight for state funds to fix "death highway" roads and improve hospitals, ensuring the oil boom benefits the locals, not just outside investors.
Did You Know…
Pecos (Reeves) claims to be the site of the World's First Rodeo in 1883.
Rockdale (Milam) was the site of a massive Alcoa aluminum smelting operation that powered the local economy for decades.
Reeves County was historically famous for Pecos Cantaloupes, a sweet variety prized across the nation.
Milam County is home to the El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail.
The West of the Pecos Museum is housed in a historic saloon and hotel in downtown Pecos.
Why Texans Love Living Here
Milam residents love the small-town football rivalries (Yoe vs. Tigers), the convenient location, and the fertile land. Reeves locals love the rodeo heritage, the desert sunsets, and the high-energy spirit of a working town.
Key Events That Bring Neighbors Together
West of the Pecos Rodeo (Reeves): A legendary event honoring the town's history.
Rockdale Fair & Rodeo (Milam): A fall tradition bringing the whole county together.
Cameron Dewberry Festival (Milam): Celebrating the local fruit with fun and food.
Pecos Cantaloupe Festival: Keeping the agricultural tradition alive amidst the oil boom.
People & Tech Created This
The profiles and shared challenges were gathered from Texas Forward Party supporters and written using ChatGPT and Gemini models to combine verified public data, official county/state sources, and general knowledge from Texas historical and government records:
