Round Rock wasn’t always the thriving hub it is today. When Charlie Culpepper first arrived in 1977, it was a town of just 5,000 people, one traffic light, and plenty of open fields. Fast forward to today, and it is part of the fastest growing county in the country. How did that happen? That is the story Bryan Eisenberg unpacks with Charlie on the Rock Solid podcast.
The conversation pulls back the curtain on decisions that shaped the city’s future. Take Dell, for instance. When the tech giant considered leaving Austin in the early 1990s, Round Rock did not just hope they would stay nearby. They came up with a bold plan. Instead of telling Dell how to spend tax incentives, the city trusted the company to grow in its own way. That trust sealed the deal and changed Round Rock’s economic trajectory forever. Within a year of signing the contract, Dell had broken ground on what had once been nothing but a field.
Then there is Dell Diamond and the Round Rock Express. Culpepper shares how the stadium almost never happened. An earlier attempt to finance baseball with sales tax failed miserably. But the city’s leaders kept thinking creatively. By tying hotel occupancy taxes to the project, they found a way to build a first class stadium without placing the burden on residents. Today, Dell Diamond is not just home to baseball. It brings in tournaments, concerts, and visitors who eat, stay, and spend in Round Rock.
What stands out through the episode is not just the big wins. It is the mindset. Culpepper credits a culture of collaboration between city leaders, staff, businesses, and nonprofits. Decisions were not made in silos. They were rooted in a shared vision: create opportunities so kids who grew up in Round Rock could get an education, come home, and find meaningful work here.
Listening to Culpepper’s stories, you realize Round Rock’s growth was not an accident. It was the product of foresight, teamwork, and a willingness to take risks when others hesitated. Even today, the challenge is the same: keep that spirit alive while balancing the demands of growth.
If you are a longtime resident, you will enjoy hearing how the city you love was built one bold choice at a time. And if you are newer to Round Rock, this episode gives you the backstory behind the community you have joined.
The Rock Solid podcast episode with Charlie Culpepper is more than local history. It is a playbook on vision, leadership, and community. Do not just read about it. Listen in and hear firsthand how Round Rock became what it is today.
