In this episode of The Building Texas Show’s Mayoral Series, host Justin McKenzie travels to Alpine, Texas, to sit down with Mayor Catherine Eaves for a candid and substantive conversation about rural governance, emergency medical services reform, tourism growth, civic engagement, and the future of Far West Texas.

Alpine serves as the gateway to Big Bend National Park and is positioning itself as the “Dark Sky Capital of Texas.” But beyond tourism, the city is facing real-world challenges—most notably the potential loss of its third-party EMS provider and the economic realities rural communities face in delivering essential services.

Mayor Eaves, a former science educator and dual-credit professor with Lone Star College, brings a unique civic lens to leadership. From launching City Government 101 courses to forming a monthly leadership huddle with Brewster County, Alpine ISD, and Sul Ross State University, this episode highlights a replicable model of rural collaboration.

Topics Covered:

• The EMS crisis facing rural Texas communities

• How Alpine is responding to ground ambulance challenges

• The role of interlocal agreements in rural governance

• Tourism strategy and historic downtown designation

• Big Bend visitor economy impact

• Dark sky tourism and branding

• Sul Ross State University’s role in workforce development

• Civic education and public engagement

If you're interested in rural economic development, Texas leadership, or the real mechanics of city government, this is a must-watch episode.

Visit Alpine Texas: https://visitalpinetexas.com

Learn more about The Building Texas Show: https://www.buildingtexasshow.com

Bastrop, Texas is one of the fastest-growing small cities in the state.

Mayor Ishmael Harris joins The Building Texas Show to explain how Bastrop,‪@btxntvonline‬, is balancing explosive growth, global investment, and small-town heritage.

In this episode of ‪@thebuildingtexasshow‬ host Justin McKenzie sits down with Ishmael Harris, Mayor of Bastrop, as part of our statewide Texas Mayor Interview Series.

Bastrop has added thousands of residents in just a few years and is now home to major global employers—putting new pressure on infrastructure, housing, schools, and community identity. Mayor Harris, a Bastrop native and former Planning & Zoning Chair, shares how the city is navigating rapid growth while planning for the next generation.

In this episode, we discuss:

Bastrop’s population growth and regional impact

Corporate responsibility in rural Texas communities

Preserving heritage while welcoming new residents

Downtown revitalization and major community events

Workforce development, schools, and STEM programs

The need for regional infrastructure, including healthcare

A long-term vision for Bastrop heading into 2026 and beyond

This conversation offers a grounded, on-the-ground look at leadership in a fast-changing Texas city—and what it takes to build a future that works for both longtime residents and newcomers.

The Rio Grande Valley is one of the most misunderstood — and fastest-growing — regions in Texas.

In this episode of ‪The Building Texas Show‬, host Justin McKenzie sits down with the City of Edinburg‬ Mayor Omar Ochoa to explore why Edinburg is emerging as a major economic hub for South Texas, how regional collaboration is reshaping the Valley’s future, and why businesses, engineers, and families are choosing to stay.

From cross-border trade and infrastructure growth to quality of life, festivals, and greenfield development opportunities, this conversation breaks down what’s really happening in the Rio Grande Valley — and why the rest of Texas should be paying attention.

If you are thinking about Texas growth, economic development, infrastructure, or the future of regional cities, this episode is for you. How many things in your house came from the RGV?

Subscribe for more conversations about the cities, leaders, and ideas shaping Texas.

We're excited to present an episode of the Building Texas show, live from Fort Worth. Our guest, a professor at Texas Christian University, shares insights into the city's dynamic growth and his work in finance and private equity. This discussion highlights the intersection of education and business within the vibrant Fort Worth community.

The numbers don't lie: The city of Ft. Worth just secured $6.7 billion in capital investment for FY 2025. But how did they do it?

In this episode of The Building Texas Show, Justin McKenzie sits down with Brandon Chicotsky (TCU Professor) to decode the massive economic shift happening in North Texas. While other cities dominate the headlines, Fort Worth is quietly building a powerhouse economy driven by aerospace, advanced tech, and logistics.

We discuss the critical role of "functional local government," how TCU is feeding the talent pipeline, and why long-term economic strategy is beating short-term hype.

In This Episode:

[00:00] The $6.7 Billion Capital Injection

[02:15] Why Fort Worth? The "Functional Government" Advantage

[05:30] The TCU Effect: Academic Partnerships Driving Growth

[09:45] Beyond Cowboys: Aerospace, Tech & Logistics Sectors

[14:20] The Future of the Texas Economy

Featured & Mentioned:

Texas Christian University (TCU)

Aerospace & Advanced Manufacturing Sectors

#FortWorth #TexasEconomy #BrandonChicotsky #BusinessNews #InvestingInTexas #EconomicDevelopment

Tomball, Texas is one of the rare communities that has experienced explosive regional growth without losing its identity.

In this episode of The Building Texas Show, host Justin McKenzie sits down with Mayor Lori Klein Quinn to explore how Tomball has intentionally planned its future—while fiercely protecting its past.

Founded in 1907 and once known as Oil Town USA, Tomball has evolved from a railroad and farming town into one of the most desirable small cities in the Greater Houston region. With just 14 square miles, Tomball has used smart zoning, proactive transportation planning, strong regional partnerships, and community-first leadership to maintain a true hometown feel—even as major highways, population growth, and development surround it.

In this conversation, Mayor Quinn shares:

How zoning reshaped Tomball’s growth strategy

Why the city pushed back on TxDOT to preserve Main Street

The role of award-winning schools and Lone Star College

How Tomball balances festivals, heritage, and economic development

Why long-term planning means thinking 30 years ahead, not 3

If you are interested in Texas cities, small-town preservation, economic development, or civic leadership done right, this episode is a must-watch.

👉 Plan your visit to Tomball

👉 Learn how intentional leadership shapes lasting communities

👉 See why Tomball is truly a Hometown with a Heart

Subscribe to The Building Texas Show for conversations about the people, places, and ideas shaping the future of Texas.

Is Pflugerville becoming the new economic heart of Central Texas? We sat down with Mayor Doug Weiss to uncover how this quiet suburb transformed into a major powerhouse while fighting to keep its small-town soul.

From the strategic impact of the SH-130 corridor to being named the 'Trail Capital of Texas,' discover how Pflugerville is balancing massive economic development with local job creation and community culture. If you're interested in the future of Texas cities, this conversation is essential viewing.

Welcome to this episode of the Building Texas show, featuring an interview with Doug Weiss, the newly elected mayor of Pflugerville Texas. We discuss the ongoing work of the city council and the broader impact of city government on the community. This conversation highlights local politics and the role of community leaders in shaping the future of @CityofPflugerville .

Mayor Weiss’s background in city government

The economic strategy: Bringing jobs to residents

How SH-130 changed the game for local business

Sports tourism & The Trail Capital of Texas

Subscribe for more inside looks at the people building the future of Texas!

pflugerville texas, mayor doug weiss, living in austin texas, austin suburbs, 60 texas real estate, sh-130 corridor, pflugerville economy, moving to Texas, central texas growth, 37 building texas show, urban planning texas

​ @CityofHelotesTexas sits at the gateway to the Texas Hill Country—and with growth accelerating across Central Texas, the city is facing the same hard questions many small towns are struggling with.

In this episode of @thebuildingtexasshow host Justin McKenzie sits down with Helotes Mayor Rich Whitehead for a candid, inside look at how a growing Texas city balances development, financial discipline, identity, and civic responsibility—without losing what makes it special.

From @JohnTFloores and Market Days to land-use strategy, tax policy, and citizen engagement, Mayor Whitehead breaks down what it really takes to steward a community into the future.

This conversation is essential viewing for:

City leaders and council members

Developers and planners

Small-town advocates

Texans curious about how growth actually gets managed

Topics Covered:

Managing growth along Highway 16

Preserving historic downtown Helotes

Debt-free city strategy

Why Helotes lowered property taxes

ETJ development and annexation

Civic apathy vs civic responsibility

Why good leadership still needs citizen involvement

📍 Learn more about @CityofHelotesTexas

City of Helotes: https://www.helotes-tx.gov

Helotes Economic Development Corporation (https://helotesedc.com/)

🎙️ Subscribe to @thebuildingtexasshow for conversations about Texas cities, leadership, entrepreneurship, and the future of our communities.

00:00 – Welcome to Helotes, Texas

00:11 – Why Helotes Matters in the Texas Hill Country

01:18 – Growth, Highway 16, and Being a Gateway City

01:52 – Helotes’ History and Small-Town Identity

03:09 – When Growth Forces Hard Conversations

03:33 – Civic Apathy, Leadership, and Responsibility

05:37 – Walkable Downtowns, Parks, and Quality of Life

06:07 – Market Days, Tourism, and Economic Activity

07:52 – Helotes’ True Size and Responsibility as a City

08:33 – Landlocked Cities, ETJs, and Development Strategy

10:27 – Long-Term Planning and Demographic Shifts

10:50 – COVID’s Impact on City Finances

12:24 – Financial Discipline and Debt-Free Cities

13:13 – The Danger of “Everything’s Going Well”

15:25 – Why Citizens Must Stay Involved

15:53 – Planning & Zoning as Civic Entry Points

16:03 – Infrastructure, Traffic, and Misplaced Blame

18:03 – How Citizens Can Be Part of the Solution

18:29 – Where to Learn More About Helotes

19:19 – Events, Festivals, and Community Culture

20:34 – What Makes Helotes Unique

21:00 – Final Thoughts on Stewardship and Leadership

In this episode of @thebuildingtexasshow we sit down with Heather Fazio from the @texascannabispolicy to discuss the emerging marijuana marketplace in Texas. We explore the nuances of current marijuana policy and the potential impacts of THC and CBD on the state's economy. This conversation sheds light on the future of cannabis drug testing and related regulations.

Texas cannabis policy is changing fast. We break down hemp vs marijuana, regulation, safety, and what Texans should expect next.

In this episode of The Building Texas Show, host Justin McKenzie sits down with Heather Fazio, Executive Director of the Texas Cannabis Policy Center, to explain how cannabis policy has evolved in Texas—and what thoughtful regulation could look like moving forward.

They discuss the rise of hemp shops across the state, why Governor Abbott vetoed a ban on hemp products, how Texas compares to states like Colorado and Oklahoma, and why education, enforcement, and consumer safety matter more than prohibition.

This conversation is released ahead of the Texas Cannabis Policy Conference and offers clarity for business owners, policymakers, and everyday Texans trying to understand a rapidly growing marketplace.

Topics Covered

• Hemp vs marijuana under Texas law

• Why Texans oppose prohibition

• Medical cannabis and the Compassionate Use Program

• Gaps in regulation and enforcement

• Lessons from Colorado and Oklahoma

• Public health, safety, and consumer education

• The future of cannabis policy in Texas

00:00 Texas cannabis policy explained

00:44 Why cannabis regulation is a growing issue in Texas

01:45 Hemp shops, CBD stores, and consumer confusion

02:15 Hemp vs marijuana: what’s legal in Texas

03:40 Medical cannabis and the Compassionate Use Program

04:14 What Texas can learn from Colorado and Oklahoma

06:24 How Texas became the 40th medical cannabis state

06:30 Who attends the Texas Cannabis Policy Conference

07:20 Federal hemp policy uncertainty explained

08:25 Public health, safety, and responsible regulation

09:55 Where to learn more about Texas cannabis policy