Greater Waco Business - 2025 Summer - Foreign Direct Investment in Waco
MATT MEADORS
President & CEO, Greater Waco Chamber
This edition of Greater Waco Business magazine explores Foreign Direct Investment, or FDI.
The Greater Waco economy has experienced rapid transformation over the past ten years. Our population and workforce have grown dramatically, creating substantial expanded wealth in our region.
Many factors are helping to drive our thriving economy, with industrial development playing a central role. Since 2006, the Greater Waco Chamber has helped facilitate 166 economic development projects. 92 of these projects were the expansion of existing companies, while we attracted 74 new businesses to our market. This work created 13,795 new jobs and stimulated $5.1 billion in new capital investment.
But something interesting happened in 2020. Our economic growth exploded. Since 2020, the Greater Waco Chamber team and strategic partners have helped facilitate 39 economic development projects, which represent 23% of our total projects since 2006. These projects alone created 4,617, or 33% of our new jobs created since 2006, and spurred more than $3.4 billion in new capital investment, or 67% of our total capital investment since 2006.
Importantly, since 2020 we have announced 11 new projects by international companies representing 6 countries. The foreign direct investment from these companies is approaching $1 billion, accounting for 25% of our industrial investment over the past 5 years. These global businesses have constructed more than 2.3 million square feet of new facilities and added more than 800 skilled jobs in our community.
Recently, the Greater Waco Chamber undertook a planning process to modernize its economic development strategic plan. Seeking to capitalize on and accelerate our success in attracting foreign direct investment into our community, a hallmark of our new economic development strategic plan is greatly expanded international engagement. Some of our recent international business development visits are highlighted on the following pages. We will continue to keep you informed of the results from this new strategy as we move forward.
As always, thank you for your continued support of your chamber of commerce.
With appreciation,
Matthew T. Meadors President & CEO
2025 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
CHAIR
Carolyn Haferkamp
Central National Bank
CHAIR-ELECT
Todd Moore
Alliance Bank Central Texas
VICE CHAIR
Keith Helpert
K4 Construction
IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR
Kary Lalani
Lalani Lodging, Inc.
PRESIDENT & CEO
Matt Meadors
Greater Waco Chamber
CHAMBER STAFF
Kacie Birkes
Director Signature Events
Kris Collins
Executive Vice President
Gabriella Colurciello Director Marketing & Communications
Nancy Gupton Director Resource Development
Jacob Hogan Vice President Public Policy & Chamber Foundation
Keith Kusler Art Director
Andrea Lail Director Workforce & Talent
Tori Lentz Coordinator Economic Development
Rachel Ligon Director Leadership Development
Rachel Martinez Senior Director Workforce & Talent
Debbie McCutchen Office Coordinator
Matt Meadors President/CEO
Seth Morris Vice President Economic Development
Jason Powers Senior Vice President Finance & Operations
Lexy Reil Director Economic Development
Gil Salinas
Research & Project Manager Economic Development
Rebecca Sheehy Manager
Signature Events
Lupe Teichelman Manager Resource Development
Emily Vieregg Coordinator Resource Development
Michelle Williams Director Finance & Operations
Autumn Young Manager
Marketing & Communications
BUILD GREATER WACO AREAS OF STRATEGIC FOCUS:
• Economic Development – Attracting new industries, supporting business expansion, and creating high-quality jobs.
• Workforce, Talent, and Education – Cultivating a pipeline of skilled professionals to meet the demands of today and tomorrow.
• Public Policy – Advocating for policies that foster growth and remove barriers for businesses.
• Innovation – Promoting forward-thinking initiatives and fostering a culture of creativity to drive our region’s economic evolution.
• Entrepreneurship and Small Business – Empowering entrepreneurs and small businesses to thrive as vital components of our economy.
• Future Economy – Preparing for emerging industries and technologies to ensure our region remains competitive.
INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES HELP ADVANCE PROSPERITY IN WACO
In 2006, the way economic development is delivered in Greater Waco changed. Since then, every five years, your Chamber evaluates and modernizes this strategic plan to drive the robust economic development effort in our community. This plan includes measurable goals and strategic focuses.
This reinvention of economic development in our community, with a focus on recruiting primary-sector jobs in high-growth industries, has led to incredible changes in our community.
Since 2006, the Greater Waco Chamber has helped facilitate 166 economic development projects:
92 existing company expansions
74 new business attractions
Creating 13,795 new jobs
Stimulating $5.1 Billion in new capital investment
This growth has led to a significant expansion of Greater Waco’s gross domestic product (GDP), which has more than doubled since 2010. In recent years, Greater Waco’s growth in personal disposable income has increased by more than 27%, outpacing the state of Texas and the United States.
Since 2020, we’ve seen a significant increase in foreign direct investment (FDI), which accounts for 40% of the projects we’ve announced. These projects are crucial to our community, as they help contribute to our ultimate goal of prosperity for all. This magazine explores the impacts of FDI on local, state and national levels, as well as how your Chamber is capitalizing on our previous success and preparing for growth in the future. n
WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF A RECORD-SETTING DECADE
GREATER WACO GDP
by SelectUSA
The United States continues to be a magnet for international businesses looking to expand—and the numbers speak for themselves. For 13 years in a row, the United States has been ranked the world's top destination for foreign direct investment (FDI).
In fact, in 2023 alone, the United States attracted $227 billion in FDI. That is money flowing into American factories, offices, research labs, and more—all helping to create jobs, drive innovation, and spur growth across every corner of the country.
A Global Leader in Investment
When multinational companies decide where to plant their next roots, they prioritize economic stability and potential for growth. And year after year, they look to invest in the United States. The latest figures show that as of the end of 2023, total foreign investment here reached an impressive $5.39 trillion. That kind of investment fuels over 16 million jobs nationwide— directly and indirectly.
So, what countries’ companies are investing the most? Japan tops the list with $783.3 billion, followed by Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
LARGEST SOURCES OF FDI IN THE UNITED STATES (BY UBO), 2023
Source: Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis, Calculations based on Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) Position figures
Where the Money Goes: Industries & States
FDI doesn’t just support Wall Street or Silicon Valley—it touches industries from manufacturing to finance to wholesale trade. In 2023, manufacturing attracted the largest chunk of investment, making up 41.2% of the total.
When it comes to job-creation, California leads the pack with more than 850,000 FDI-backed positions. Texas, New York, Florida, and Illinois round out the top five. And in some states like South Carolina and Kentucky, FDI supports more than 5% of the entire workforce.
Source: Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis, FDI by Industry
NUMBER OF JOBS SUPPORTED BY FDI, 2022
Greenfield Investment: Building from Scratch
Greenfield investment—when foreign companies build new facilities from the ground up—is another sign of long-term confidence. From 2015 to 2024, FDI in states like Texas, Arizona, California, and New York resulted in billions in new capital projects. California alone hosted over 2,000 new investment projects during that time.
More Than Just Money: Long-Term Value
In a global landscape where multinationals have no shortage of location options, FDI often serves as a bellwether for a country’s economic competitiveness.
FDI isn’t just about dollars—it brings in cutting-edge technology, better management practices, and connects U.S. businesses to global supply chains. It also helps spread opportunities beyond major cities, fueling growth in rural and mid-sized states. Industries from AI to energy are seeing big benefits, helping the country stay competitive in fast-moving global markets.
How the United States Makes It Easy to Invest
The U.S. government actively supports foreign investment through programs like SelectUSA, which offers free tools, data, and direct support. Whether investors want help navigating the tools and resources of the federal government or need insights into workforce and business clusters, or assistance connecting with state or local economic development organizations, SelectUSA is a one-stop shop. SelectUSA also hosts events around the world through Roadshows and Conferences and provides personalized counseling and research for investors considering the United States as their next home. And assistance is not just limited to companies but also to state, local, regional and tribal economic development organizations looking to help attract FDI into their areas.
SelectUSA’s highest profile event on facilitating FDI into the United States is the annual SelectUSA Investment Summit. The Investment Summit draws more than 5,500 attendees comprising representatives from U.S. economic development organizations, business investors from over 100 countries and industry experts. Attendees hear insight and advice on steps to take to locate in the United States.
For more information, visit selectusa.gov or email SelectUSA@trade.gov to learn more about resources. n
SelectUSA prepared this report on Foreign Direct Investment in the United States for inclusion in this edition of Greater Waco Business, but SelectUSA has not reviewed or contributed to other parts of the publication. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the views of SelectUSA or the United States Government. SelectUSA is the U.S. federal-level program dedicated to facilitating and promoting high-impact business investment into the United States. SelectUSA is committed to maintaining U.S. geographic neutrality in all its activities, communications, and representations. We do not favor or endorse any specific U.S. region, state, or locality over another. Our mission is to provide unbiased support and information to all potential investors and stakeholders, regardless of their geographic location. Any references to specific locations are for illustrative purposes only and do not imply preference or endorsement.
Texas is the future of global business, attracting international firms of all sizes and industries from around the world.
With a $2.7 trillion economy—the eighth largest economy in the world—Texas offers the foundation and opportunity for global companies to succeed.
Photo courtesy of Office of the Governor
Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office, Office of the Governor
The powerful Texas economy is strengthened by booming communities across the state, like the Greater Waco Region, that continue to bring new investment and job opportunities for Texans.
As the #1 U.S. destination for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) over the last two decades, Texas offers unmatched business advantages that no other state can claim—no corporate or personal income tax, a highly skilled and diverse workforce, easy access to global markets, robust infrastructure, and a reasonable regulatory environment. Texas also offers lower operating costs, lower energy costs, and lower land costs with fewer land-use restrictions.
Our strategic geographic location in the center of North America and robust transportation networks provide easy access to domestic and global markets via air, land, and sea. In fact, Texas has remained the top exporting state in the nation for the last 23 years in a row. We are also the #1 state for semiconductor exports for 14 consecutive years and #1 for high-tech exports for 12 years. “Made in Texas” is a powerful global brand, and Texas is positioned to lead as we enter a new era of global business and trade.
The Texas economy is also more diverse today than ever before, with strengths in semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, energy, biotech and life sciences, information technology and AI, petroleum refining and chemicals, professional services, transportation, hospitality, food production, rare earth mining, and more.
Most importantly, Texas moves at the speed of business. Led by Governor Greg Abbott, and on
the heels of a successful Legislative Session focused on pro-business policies and government efficiency, it’s clear that Texas is the best state for business for both international and domestic companies.
CONNECTION TO GLOBAL MARKETS
Texas is the logistical heart of North America, offering businesses easy access to customers around the world. Texas is home to more miles of public roadways, state highways, freight railways, airports, and Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs) than any other state.
With 23 seaports, including 12 deepwater ports, Texas moves more cargo than any other state.
In fact, the Port of Laredo is the #1 port in the nation based on trade value and the Port of Houston, the largest container port on the Gulf Coast, leads the nation in waterborne trade.
With more than 380 airports, including 26 commercial airports, Texas has the most extensive airport system in the U.S. Texas is also home to six of the top 50 busiest airports in the country, as well as two international airline headquarters and a major hub for a third.
To meet the growing needs of global businesses, Texas continues to make historic investments in infrastructure projects like new state roadway projects, port development projects, dispatchable electric generating facilities, expanded water access, and broadband technologies.
GROWING, DIVERSE WORKFORCE
Skilled talent across the entire state draws domestic and international companies alike to Texas. Texans are our greatest natural resource and the top reason companies choose to expand and relocate here.
Texas has the perfect combination of highly skilled, diverse talent and world-class schools that continue to support a job-ready workforce for businesses across key industries. Our growing labor force of 15.8 million is among the youngest in the nation.
Texas also continues to attract the best and brightest talent, dominating the nation for population growth over the last two decades. Last year, Texas added more than 560,000 residents and was the #1 state for population growth. Texas is also the “stickiest” state, with more than 82% of Texans born here choosing to stay here.
To help educate our workforce, we have seven public university systems, 37 public four-year universities and 50 community college districts. The state is also home to eight of the nation’s top 150 universities, according to U.S. News & World Report, and 16 Tier One research universities, which help develop a strong talent pipeline.
The Lone Star State continuously invests in our workforce through programs such as the Skills Development Fund, Jobs & Education for Texans grants, the Texas Talent Connection Grant and the Governor’s University Research Initiative (GURI). GURI helps recruit nationally recognized researchers from around the world to the state of Texas, bolstering our state’s higher education institutions as we foster the workforce of the future.
Texas is home to some of America’s most diverse cities and counties. Texas’ Hispanic population is the largest demographic group, and Texas is home to the largest Black population in the nation. This chart depicts Texas’ growing diversity and projected population by race and ethnicity through 2050, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
INTERNATIONAL FIRMS CHOOSE TEXAS
There are already 2,170 foreign corporations doing business in the state—a number that only continues to grow as more global companies choose Texas for their U.S. business investment. Among the many international firms in Texas are SeAH, GlobalWafers, JCB, Kubota, Toyota, Ericsson, Mitsubishi, Samsung, and Aisin, just to name a few.
Over the last 10 years, Texas has attracted more than 1,860 FDI projects, which are expected to create $189.6 billion in capital investment and more than 167,900 new jobs.
Not to mention, Texas’ share of FDI jobs is the highest of any state, according to market share in total number of jobs announced through FDI between 2020 and 2023.
A notable international investment in the Central Texas region is Knauf Insulation’s new fiberglass insulation manufacturing and distribution facility in McGregor. The project is expected to create 151 new jobs and more than $210 million in capital investment. With this investment, the German-based company will not only help bolster the local economy but will also have an impact on the entire region and the state as a whole.
TEXAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM OFFICE
At the Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office (EDT), within the Office of the Governor, we are tasked with marketing and promoting Texas as a premier business location and travel destination.
The Business Development team within EDT serves as the conduit to the business recruitment and project management process, working with domestic and international investment leads and prospective companies that are considering locating or expanding in Texas.
EDT’s International Business & Trade team assists Texas companies looking to do business internationally and assists foreign companies looking to expand or relocate to Texas. This team manages the Texas Export Assistance Program, International Business Development Missions and oversees State of Texas international offices in Mexico and Taiwan.
The State of Texas Mexico Office (STMO) and State of Texas Taiwan Office (STTO) work to promote Texas exports in their respective countries and help attract FDI into Texas. The STMO was established in 1971, while the STTO was established in June 2024 and announced during Governor Abbott’s Texas-Asia International Business Development Mission.
TEXAS TOP FDI SOURCE COUNTRIES (FDI MARKETS; 2003-2024)
Texas attracts foreign investment from countries around the world. These charts display Texas’ top sources of FDI, including Texas’ top investment source countries by number of projects, total capital investment and number of jobs, according to FDI Markets data between 2003 and 2024.
EDT also works closely with our partners at the Texas Economic Development Corporation (TxEDC) to organize and execute International Business Development Missions around the world to help promote the benefits of doing business in Texas.
In his three terms, Governor Abbott has met with numerous world leaders and led International Business Development Missions to France, India, Israel, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Taiwan and the U.K. Additionally, First Lady Cecilia Abbott has led missions to the U.K., France and Germany.
These programs and initiatives are supported by our many local and regional economic development partners across the state. Thanks to these combined efforts, Texas continues to lead in terms of economic development success and FDI attraction.
BIGGER. BETTER. TEXAS.
In Texas, economic development is a team sport. It takes all of us working together—our state leadership, industry, higher education, and local, regional, and statewide economic development teams—focused on keeping Texas the best state for business in the nation, a title we have held for the last 21 years and counting.
That’s why our office launched the new “Bigger. Better. Texas.” Statewide Economic Development Strategic Plan as a blueprint to capitalize on our
success and capture the promise of our future economy in order to maintain our competitive edge in the years ahead.
The new economic development strategic plan accomplishes a number of objectives, all developed with the broader economic development ecosystem in mind. The plan establishes a unifying vision for the future in addition to:
• identifying new target industry sectors that are expected to drive economic growth and job creation;
• outlining objectives to advance our state’s global competitiveness;
• and providing data and recommendations to inform economic development decisions across the state.
Everyone has a role to play in building the state’s future economy. The many individuals and organizations who are driving growth in the state are invited to join in this effort to build a bigger, better Texas for decades to come! n
For more information on FDI in Texas, the “Bigger. Better. Texas.” Statewide Economic Development Strategic Plan and the Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office, or to get in touch, visit gov.texas.gov/business.
Governor Greg Abbott celebrates the ribbon cutting for the State of Texas Taiwan Office during the Texas-Asia International Business Development Mission.
Photo courtesy of Office of the Governor
In his From the President letter at the beginning of this magazine, Greater Waco Chamber President & CEO Matt Meadors talks about the remarkable changes taking place in our regional economy and how foreign direct investment (FDI) is helping to drive these changes and create expanded wealth for our citizens. Global companies are calling Waco and McLennan County home at a rapid pace, acknowledging the state’s attractive regulatory and tax climate, our welcoming and business friendly local culture, our growing, capable, and reliable workforce, and our secondto-none physical location on Interstate 35 in the heart of the economic juggernaut known as the Texas Triangle.
As Meadors stated in his letter, industrial investment in our region accelerated at a breathtaking clip in 2020. Your Chamber’s professional team, working in tandem with strategic partners including the City of Waco, McLennan County, the Waco Industrial Foundation (WIF), and the Waco-McLennan County Economic Development Corporation (WMCEDC) helped facilitate 39 economic development projects over the past five years. Eleven of these projects were new investments made by international companies representing six countries: Germany, Mexico, Canada, Spain, Italy, and Thailand. The FDI from these companies approaches $1 billion dollars, and they have constructed more than 2.3 million square feet of industrial space and created more than 800 skilled jobs in our community. This assessment of their impact does not include induced jobs created, jobs retained by existing companies in our community because of the expanded economic activity spurred by their investments, and the growth in tax revenue. All are important and substantial.
GERMAN COMPANIES calling our region home include ZinkPower Waco, Uzin Utz North America, Knauf Insulation North America, and Messer.
ZINKPOWER Waco is a European leader in hot-dip galvanizing and powder-coating services and chose the Greater Waco community for its first greenfield operation in the U.S. This plant is the only hot-dip galvanizing center between the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex and San Antonio and is home to Zinkpower’s largest dipping kettle and employs 100. Since beginning operations in 2021, the company has expanded operations to include painting.
Uzin Utz North America, a subsidiary of Uzin Utz AG, chose Greater Waco in early 2021 for its second U.S. production operation. The new 125,000 squarefoot facility includes manufacturing and distribution, a customer training center and research and development.
Knauf Insulation North America, a subsidiary of the Knauf Group based in Iphofen, Germany, chose Greater Waco for its 600,000 square foot state of the art fiberglass insulation facility. The facility recently began operations and employs more than 150 people in the McGregor Industrial Park.
Messer has constructed a state-of-the art, large-scale air separation unit that operates substantially off energy supplied from an onsite solar panel array. Not only will the plant reduce the carbon footprint of nitrogen and oxygen production, but it will increase the security of supply of these gases to the entire state of Texas.
MEXICO COMPANIES calling our region home include Envases Group, Electrolit, and ARCA Continental Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages.
Envases Group selected Waco for its first U.S. aluminum can production and distribution facility in December 2020. Waco now serves as the headquarters for the U.S. can division of the company. The 450,000 square-foot facility is fully operational and employs nearly 200.
Electrolit , owned by Pisa Pharmaceuticals, the largest pharmaceutical company in Mexico and Latin America, has selected Waco for its first U.S. production facility. This investment represents Pisa’s largest single investment project in the company’s more than 70 year history. The 600,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art facility is currently under construction and will be operational in early 2026, employing 200 skilled workers.
We've also seen investments from CANADA , ASIA , SPAIN and ITALY.
Aspen Custom Trailers, an Alberta, Canada-based leading manufacturer of heavy haul commercial trailers, selected Waco for its first greenfield operation in the United States in October 2020. The company operates as Aspen Custom Trailers US and the site serves as a center for Aspen’s manufacturing, service and sales operations across a wide, multi-state region.
FoamTec International, headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand, specializes in the manufacture of wipes, swabs, sponges and mops to serve the medical device, pharmaceutical, and semiconductor manufacturing industries.
Allied Steel Buildings, based in Spain, is a global manufacturer of steel buildings and structural steel solutions. Its site in McGregor is its second manufacturing facility and strengthens its position as an industry leader while demonstrating its commitment to innovation, growth, and the advancement of the manufacturing sector.
Polyglass U.S.A., Inc. is a leading manufacturer of high-quality modified bitumen roofing and waterproofing solutions. Acquired in 2008, Polyglass is a member of the Italy-based Mapei Group, a global leader in the building materials industry. In 2017, Polyglass opened its fifth manufacturing plant in Waco and expanded it in 2023. It is the largest of Polyglass’ state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities.
The Chamber’s success in attracting foreign direct investment strongly informed a recent update to the organization’s economic development strategic plan. The plan has six core areas of focus: economic development, with a primary goal of attracting new industries, supporting business expansion and creating high quality jobs; workforce, talent, and education, with a primary goal of increasing the overall per capita income of Greater Waco; public policy, with a primary goal of advocating for business; innovation, with
a primary goal of building and attracting next generation, high impact businesses in Greater Waco; entrepreneurship & small business, with a primary goal of fostering an environment conducive to entrepreneurial growth and small business success; and the future economy, to ensure we are always looking to the future. All of these areas of strategic focus are designed to complement and support our core economic development mission of helping our existing companies grow and prosper and attracting new companies to our region.
A hallmark of the Chamber’s economic development strategic plan is a significantly enhanced domestic and international business development initiative. Each year, your Chamber connects with 100 local business leaders through in-person meetings. This strengthened approach broadens the scope of outreach and enables the Chamber team to engage with companies directly at their headquarters. So far in 2025, we’ve taken part in two global missions aimed at building on our recent success.
First, your Chamber joined Team Texas, the memberbased state business attraction program through the Texas Economic Development Council, a professional association for Texas economic developers, in their booth at SelectUSA’s conference in Mexico. The conference brought together over 35 U.S. economic development organizations and allowed your Chamber to connect with industry leaders and continue to foster new relationships.
Also, in the spring, a delegation of Greater Waco Chamber leadership visited Germany. During the fast and furious five-day trip, the team met with the top officials from businesses that have invested in our community and made new connections with prospective companies evaluating our community.
The rapid rise of foreign direct investment in Greater Waco is not a passing trend—it’s a defining force shaping the region’s economic future. The impressive scale and diversity of international companies now operating in McLennan County is a testament to Greater Waco’s strengths: a pro-business climate, strategic geographic location, growing infrastructure, and an increasingly skilled workforce. These global investments are fueling not only job creation and industrial development but also elevating the region’s profile on the world stage. They are helping to retain local talent, attract new talent to our market, generate long-term economic stability, and lay the groundwork for even greater innovation and opportunity.
As your Chamber continues to strengthen ties with international partners and execute its forward-thinking economic development plan, Greater Waco is wellpositioned to remain a magnet for global industry. By building on this momentum, through strategic outreach, collaborative leadership, and a steadfast commitment to growth, the community is writing a new chapter in its economic story, one where Greater Waco competes and thrives in the global marketplace. n
3 QUESTIONS
With a strategic focus on supporting international business, we asked a few partners to participate in a Q&A about their selection process and how they ultimately chose the Greater Waco community.
When evaluating potential locations, what specific assets or qualities was your company seeking?
When evaluating potential locations for expansion we prioritized regions that offered a strong combination of workforce availability, logistical advantages and supportive business environments.
When it was determined that strategically our next manufacturing facility should be in the southwest region of the United States, there were many factors that went into our decision-making process.
From a practical and logistical perspective:
• Existing structure; size and configuration
• Access and proximity of raw materials
• Easily accessible transportation routes; major highways
• Convenient access to major international ports
• Access to major airports
• Business friendly state and local government
• Availability of local trades
• A robust and growing labor pool
• The opportunity for physical expansion
Additionally, proximity to suppliers, customers and sufficient local resources (technical schools, community colleges) to support workforce development.
When considering expansions, Uzin-Utz evaluates many factors including:
• Proximity to customer base and raw materials
• State and County business climate
• Quality of the proposed site
• Proximity to major highways, air and sea ports
• Stability of utilities infrastructure, cost of utilities
• Availability of skilled labor
• Educational infrastructure and learning environment
• Affordability and quality of life
• Economic development collaboration opportunity with local authorities
What key factors influenced your company’s decision to expand operations into the United States?
Envases’ expansion into the United States is aligned with our strategic goals of generating value for our U.S. based customers and enhancing our manufacturing network of plants across North America.
Several key factors influenced our decision to expand operations into the United States. The U.S. offers a strong and stable manufacturing infrastructure, including access to advanced technologies, skilled labor, and a robust supply chain network. Additionally, being closer to our U.S. customer base allows us to
Since first establishing operations in the United States in 1992 (Fernley, Nevada), Polyglass’ strategic goals have been to expand our product lines and capacity to produce, sell and stand behind complete building envelope protection for the entire U.S.
Since then, we have added four additional manufacturing sites to include commissioning the Waco plant in 2017 and expanding in 2024.
Key factors which continue to influence our decision to expand in the U.S. include:
• The importance to Polyglass of offering products made in the U.S.
• Supporting our contractor customer base with the right products at the right time; quick response time to market
• Global diversification
• U.S. forward looking growth plans in commercial and residential construction
reduce lead times, improve responsiveness, and better align with just-in-time delivery models. Texas also provides a favorable business environment with support for innovation, strong incentives at the local level and growth opportunities that align with our long-term growth strategy. Ultimately, this investment in Texas enhances our ability to serve strategic customers more efficiently while reinforcing our commitment to quality and operational excellence.
The Uzin-Utz Group’s presence in the U.S. was established in 2007 with a sales and distribution organization. Our presence grew in 2015 with the addition of a production facility in Dover, Delaware. The need for investment in a second production facility
was identified in 2018 to support the steady growth in demand for our product and flooring systems. The investment in our Waco, Texas facility further solidifies our commitment to North America’s flooring market, people and industry.
What distinguishing characteristics made Waco stand out during your site selection process?
When evaluating potential locations for expansion in Texas, it became clear that Waco provided a competitive advantage for our business.
• Strong sense of community
• Support from Chamber and the Economic Development group
• Strategic location in Central Texas
• Opportunities for continued expansion and growth
• Local financial incentives
• Commitment to developing a technical workforce locally
As we dove deeper into the analysis of potential locations, it was clear that the City of Waco, and the support of the Chamber, provided unique and distinguishing characteristics which weighed on our decision:
• Culture of the community
• A focus on general growth and expansion of the region
• Hands-on support and partnership from the Chamber and the City
• Various tax abatement opportunities
• Employee training incentives
• Opportunities for networking, visibility, and growth
• Long term partnership
Our site selection process started off with the evaluation of ten potential locations in the southwest region of the U.S. There were a number of strong contenders, which we eventually reduced to two options. Considering the outcome of our matrix-
based evaluation, a seemingly complex decision was made fairly easy, especially considering how welcoming, qualified and supportive the people of Waco we interacted with were. For us the people of Waco made the difference!
WASHINGTON D.C. FLY-IN HIGHLIGHTS WACO’S GLOBAL ECONOMIC STRATEGY
by Jacob Hogan, Vice President of Public Policy & Chamber Foundation
The Greater Waco Chamber’s Public Policy Committee exists to advocate on behalf of our business community—to help shape our regional economy where innovation thrives, and economic growth is sustained. We are active at the local, state, and federal levels, ensuring that Waco-area businesses can focus on what they do best: innovating, creating jobs, and building a stronger economy. If you’re not at the table, there’s a good chance you’re on the menu—and we’re committed to making sure our region has a seat at the table.
Each summer, the Chamber leads a delegation to Washington, D.C., to advocate for federal policy priorities tied to workforce and education, business climate, economic development and infrastructure. We meet with Congressional leaders and Congressional Committees, receive updates from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and attend policy briefings with key federal agencies such as the Departments of Education, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, as well as the
This year, the 2025 Washington D.C. Fly-In included an exciting new addition. For the first time, our delegation visited the Embassy of Mexico and the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany. These visits are more than symbolic; they are intentional steps that align with the Chamber’s newly expanded economic development strategy—one that prioritizes international engagement and long-term partnership building.
Since 2020, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has accounted for nearly $1 billion of capital investment, more than 2.3 million square feet of new space and over 800 new, direct jobs in the Greater Waco region. The majority of that investment has come from Mexico and German based companies.
The embassy visits are designed to strengthen partnerships with these critical partners. At each stop, we engaged with embassy leadership to hear updates
White House’s National Economic Council.
on trade and economic relations, share the Greater Waco region’s growth story, and explore opportunities for investment and collaboration. These conversations will continue to lay the groundwork for future partnership.
Our relationship with Mexico is vital. Mexico is not only Texas’ largest trading partner, with over $270 billion in trade flowing between the two annually, but it also plays a central role in the Texas economy—supporting more than 3.6 million jobs across the state. In Central Texas, Waco is uniquely positioned along major transportation corridors like Interstate 35, making it a key hub for logistics, manufacturing, and distribution. This geographic advantage, paired with our strong workforce and businessfriendly climate, makes Greater Waco an ideal location for companies seeking to access both U.S. and international markets.
Similarly, Germany has been a consistent and growing source of investment in Texas. German companies employ tens of thousands of Texans, and many have chosen midsized communities, like Waco, for their expansion efforts due to affordability, available land, and quality of life. Our visit to the German Embassy represents an opportunity to further establish Waco as a competitive destination for advanced manufacturing, engineering, and technology investment from Germany.
The Chamber’s expanded economic development plan recognizes that growth does not happen by accident. It requires relationship-building, consistent outreach, and strategic partnerships. These embassy visits are a crucial step in ensuring that Waco is not only visible on the international stage but actively engaged in shaping its economic future.
We are ready to welcome and build the key partnerships that will define our next era of growth. n
VANTRAN AND MGM TRANSFORMERS STRENGTHEN U.S. ENERGY SUPPLY CHAIN
WITH WACO, TEXAS EXPANSION, UNLOCKING $1B IN PRODUCTION CAPACITY
MGM Transformers and VanTran Transformers celebrated the grand opening of their new 430,000-squarefoot advanced manufacturing facility in Waco, Texas. The new plant is expected to create 700 high-quality jobs over the next five years, while unlocking over $1 billion in annual transformer production capacity—a major boost to domestic energy infrastructure and industrial resilience. Proudly U.S.-owned, U.S.operated, and serving U.S. customers, this expansion represents a strategic investment in strengthening the American grid and advancing the nation's electrification goals.
Following MGM Transformers' acquisition of VanTran in 2024, the combined company unites decades of engineering leadership in both dry-type and liquid-filled transformer technologies. The new facility will focus on custom liquid-filled transformer production to meet soaring demand from data centers, renewable energy, EV charging infrastructure, and utilities.
"With this facility, we're not just growing—we're redefining the scale of American manufacturing," said Doug Banty, CEO of MGM Transformers. "We're proud to create jobs, reduce lead times, and deliver mission-critical infrastructure—made in America, for America."
Ty Gayeski, President of VanTran Transformers, added, "VanTran has been part of the Waco community for over 60 years, and this expansion is about scaling our impact. We're investing in the future of American industry, right here in Central Texas."
Transformers are the backbone of a modern electric grid—powering the infrastructure behind AI data centers, clean energy, and the reshoring of U.S. manufacturing. The U.S. transformer market is projected to grow from $8.3 billion in 2022 to over
$14 billion by 2032, underscoring the urgent need for domestic production capacity at scale.
The Waco facility also strengthens national resilience amid global supply chain disruptions. By expanding U.S. manufacturing capacity, VanTran and MGM Transformers are helping reduce reliance on foreign suppliers and secure America's energy future.
This facility builds on VanTran's legacy in Waco and solidifies the companies' long-term commitment to the region.
"VanTran has demonstrated unwavering dedication to Waco, and we are thrilled that both they and MGM Transformers have chosen our city for this significant expansion," said Matt Meadors, President and CEO of the Greater Waco Chamber. "Their investment underscores Waco's appeal as a center for growth and innovation."
"VanTran and MGM's growth is a testament to the business-friendly environment we've fostered in Waco," said Mayor Jim Holmes. n
ALLEN SAMUELS CHAMBER CLASSIC
In early May, the Greater Waco Chamber hosted a great Allen Samuels Chamber Classic!
Thanks to our golfers and sponsors for spending the day with us. Congratulations to our Spirit Contest winner, Pattillo, Brown & Hill, LLP.
Presenting sponsorship is provided by Allen Samuels Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram Fiat. n
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS IN APRIL
In April, your Chamber visited the Even Hotel for Business After Hours. During the event, the hotel provided drinks and snacks in the courtyard it shares with its sister property, the Cambria Waco, and guests celebrated with the team as they commemorated their first anniversary in Waco. n
LEADING WACO WOMEN SPRING WORKSHOP
In May, your Chamber hosted its annual Leading Waco Women Spring Workshop at the Cambria Waco. During the event, guests heard from keynote presenter, Dr. Barbara Baggerly-Hinojosa, Leadership Empowerment Group, and had the opportunity to choose from an incredible lineup of breakout sessions designed to spark insight, inspiration and connections.
The Leading Waco Women series will conclude in the fall with the Leading Waco Women Fall Summit featuring the presentation of the 2025 Leading Waco Women Leadership Award. Leading Waco Women is designed to celebrate, empower, and develop female leaders across our community, this annual series provides transformative professional development experiences.
Presenting sponsorship provided by Waco Cardiology Associates. n
LEAD WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD
In April, high school students in the Leadership, Education and Development (LEAD) program participated in the annual Welcome to the Real World, an event designed to introduce students to the choices they will face upon graduation, including what career to pursue, what car to buy, where to live and how to pay bills based on the decisions they’ve made.
Welcome to the Real World’s goal is to help ensure that students are prepared for life after high school. The event is unique because it provides a reality check, so students know what to expect in their next stage of life. In addition, by connecting students to resources and businesses that they may not know about, we hope to show them many facets of the Greater Waco community. Students had the opportunity to have a professional headshot taken, participate in mock interviews and participate in soft skills training.
Welcome to the Real World is sponsored by Ascension Providence, Bird Kultgen Ford, Kish Complete Car Care, First Central Credit Union, Tarleton State University, Premier ER & Urgent Care, Allen Samuels Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram Fiat, H-E-B, Staybridge Suites, Texas State Technical College and Whataburger. To learn more about LEAD and the Welcome to the Real World event, visit WacoChamber.com/LEAD. n
GREATER WACO CHAMBER VISITS WASHINGTON, D.C.
A delegation of more than 35 local leaders visited our nation’s capital during our annual Washington, D.C. Fly-In. Delegates heard tailored briefings specific to our region’s business priorities from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and leaders of the U.S. House and Senate. New this year, the delegation also visited the German and Mexican embassies, thus complementing the Chamber's expanded economic development strategic plan. Delegates spent three days visiting our representatives’ offices and advocating for policies that will positively impact our community’s business environment. n
GREATER WACO CHAMBER CONNECTS TEACHERS TO EXTERNSHIPS
The Greater Waco Chamber’s Summer Teacher Externship program returned for its second year, giving local educators valuable opportunities to connect the classroom to the workplace. Nineteen teachers from ten school districts partnered with 14 local companies for two days of hands-on learning about industry trends, career pathways, and in-demand workforce skills.
Each teacher received a stipend for completing the program; these stipends were made possible by funding to the Waco Chamber Community Development Foundation by the Howmet Aerospace Foundation and the Texas
Mutual Foundation. This initiative remains a key part of the Chamber’s workforce and talent strategy to bridge education and business in our region. n
LEAD PROGRAM AWARDS $94,500 IN SCHOLARSHIPS TO 11 LOCAL STUDENTS
High school students in the Leadership, Education and Development (LEAD) program attended their year-end recognition banquet at Baylor University’s Hurd Welcome Center, where $94,500 in scholarships were awarded to 11 local students.
2025 LEAD SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS:
Osmar Cazares, University High School, was awarded the annual $20,000 Bradley Ray Hulse Memorial Scholarship, presented by Central National Bank and The First National Bank of Central Texas.
Alexis Villagomez , University High School, was awarded the $15,000 All Star Scholarship, presented by the Magnolia Foundation.
Jasmine Satchell, Waco High School, was awarded the $14,000 Reaching Back as You Climb Scholarship, presented by Ashley Phillips.
Dagmawit Gebremichael, University High School, was awarded a $12,000 Distinction Scholarship, presented by the City of Waco.
Justyce Allen, Waco High School, was awarded the $10,000 Dream for Tomorrow Scholarship, in memory of Hal Whitaker.
Stephanie Marie Rodriguez-Picazo, University High School, was awarded the $7,000 No Boundaries Scholarship.
Treniti Freeman, Waco High School, was awarded the $4,500 Ambassador Scholarship, presented by John & Jennifer Manning and Community Bank & Trust.
Sebastian Torres, McGregor High School, was awarded the $3,500 Merit Scholarship, presented by Alliance Bank, McLennan Community College, Brazos Masonry and Oceans Behavioral Hospital Waco.
Jaqueline Perez , University High School, was awarded the $3,000 Alton Davis Memorial Scholarship, presented by the Davis Family.
Josephine Roberson, Waco High School, was awarded the $3,000 Battle Family Scholarship.
D'Errica Foster, Harmony School of Innovation, was awarded the $2,500 Persistence Scholarship, presented by Slovacek’s and Oceans Behavioral Hospital Waco.
Since 2010, over $800,000 in scholarships have been awarded to students. Since its launch in 2005, the LEAD program has grown from just one mentor and five students—into a transformative force in the lives of over 2,000 young people. Rooted in the power of mentorship, LEAD has consistently guided its students not only to the finish line of high school, but toward bright futures in higher education and the workforce. Its legacy is one of empowerment, opportunity, and lasting impact. This year, the program included more than 100 mentors and over 230 students.
Presenting sponsorships are provided by Ascension Providence, AT&T and Bank of America. n
LEADERSHIP WACO CLASS XLI CELEBRATES GRADUATION
The Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that our latest Leadership Waco class has completed the program. During graduation, class representative, Jovan Overshown, Baylor University, offered a heartfelt reflection on her experience in the class and how it impacted her perception of Waco. “Waco is a city that’s in progress,” Overshown said. “The story isn’t finished being told—and it’s up to us to allow our fingerprints to be on the blueprint of the next chapter.”
Attendees also heard from Jean Wright, Methodist Children’s Home, about the cohort’s project: creating a butterfly garden for the Talitha Koum Institute. The class raised more than $25,000 to beautify the playground area and provide the center with a new way to support the children they serve. “Thank you for allowing us to do something really special, that reminds us we can do things beyond ourselves,” she said.
The presenting sponsor for Leadership Waco is Pattillo Brown & Hill, LLP. n
Class XLI includes business and civic leaders representing a variety of industries throughout the Greater Waco area:
Chet Beene, Beene Wealth Management Group
Kimberly Bobbitt , Texas Alliance for Child and Family Services
Aryn Bolton , Capstone Mechanical
Rick Bradley, Haley & Olson, PC
Jacob Bradshaw, Lee Enterprises / Waco Tribune-Herald
Chrissy Brault , McLennan County
Dominic Braus , Carlson Law Firm
Jacky Chandler, The First National Bank of Central Texas
Lindsay Meadors Waite, Pattillo, Brown & Hill, LLP
Lauren Montgomery, Ascension Providence
Haley O'Brien , American Bank
Becky Odajima , Midway Independent School District
Jovan Overshown , Baylor University
Lorena Palacios , Uzin Utz North America
Raven Peavy, JRBT
Abbie Ramirez , ESC Region 12
Krista Rosas , Extraco Banks
April Rosier, Target Solutions
Craig Schwartinsky, Central National Bank
Cody Spillers , Hello Bello
Brian Sullivan , Alliance Bank Central Texas
Catia Sykora , Camille Johnson, Realtors
Terra Tipton , Disciplined Investors
Ramon Vigil , Community Bank & Trust
Megan Washington , Baylor Scott and White Health
Jean Wright , Methodist Children's Home
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS IN MAY
In May, your Chamber visited the Delaney at Lake Waco for Business After Hours hosted in partnership with Visiting Angels. During the event, guests had the opportunity to network with each other, learn about the services offered by the Delaney and Visiting Angels and were entered to win door prizes. n
ELECTROLIT TRIWACO
In June, the Greater Waco Chamber hosted its annual Electrolit TriWaco. Participants had the opportunity to compete in Olympic, Sprint and Try-A-Tri distance triathlons, swimming in the Brazos River, biking along MLK Boulevard and running in Cameron Park. The Chamber welcomed hundreds of athletes and their families from around the country to Waco to compete. Participants and their families enjoyed a full race weekend, with a vendor fair and athlete expo during packet pickup and a fabulous post-race area. Participants are already gearing up for next year!
Presenting sponsor is Electrolit. n
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS IN JUNE
In June, your Chamber visited the AC Hotel by Marriott Downtown Waco for Business After Hours. During the event, guests enjoyed handcrafted cocktails and snacks in the hotel’s recently completed Skyline Ballroom. n
In 2025, we’ve been honored to celebrate many milestone anniversaries with some of our longest standing Chamber members. Each celebration is commemorated with an award.
Seedhouse Creative – 25 Years
Spice Village – 25 Years
Waco Transit System – 25 Years
Wardlaw Claims Service – 25 Years
Waco Housing Authority & Affiliates – 25 Years
Uptmor Saddlery – 25 Years
Glazer’s Beer & Beverages – 50 Years
Central Texas Association of General Contractors – 75 Years
CORPORATE APPRECIATION
In the spring, the Greater Waco Chamber hosted the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas President, Lorie K. Logan for our biennial Corporate Appreciation Dinner. Your Chamber's leadership and leaders from companies that have invested in Greater Waco were welcomed to The WorkSITE for networking, dinner and an insightful presentation from President Logan about the state of the economy.
Presenting sponsorship provided by Rogers-O'Brien Construction.
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS IN JULY
In July, your Chamber visited Captial Farm Credit's newest location for Business After Hours. During the event, guests enjoyed light bites and drinks in the beautiful lobby. Guests were also entered to win door prizes. n
ROGERS-O’BRIEN CONSTRUCTION RECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR BAYLOR LAW SCHOOL RENOVATION
Rogers-O’Brien Construction (RO), member of the Greater Waco Chamber, has been honored with the Pyramid Award in the ABC National Excellence in Construction® Awards for the renovation of Baylor University’s Law School. This award recognizes the nation’s top construction projects and highlights RO’s commitment to quality, innovation, and client collaboration.
The 34,000-square-foot renovation of the historic law school was completed over a 12-month schedule and carefully phased across six segments to allow continuous student occupancy. RO’s scope included relocating 5,000 linear feet of high-density law books, preserving and reinstalling the Leon Jaworski Memorial Office and Rare Books Room, upgrading all mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems, and modernizing offices, finishes, and study spaces while maintaining the school’s distinguished character.
“This project reflects the best of what we strive to do: elevate spaces that matter,” said Braylon Byford, RO’s Director of Waco. “We’re grateful for the partnership with Baylor University and proud to bring national recognition home to Waco.”
Throughout the project, RO implemented measures to reduce disruption during the academic year, including
noise-insulating partitions and tightly coordinated construction schedules. Their efforts earned high praise from the university.
“Rogers-O'Brien demonstrated a remarkable commitment to teamwork and collaboration,” said Lauren Howell, Construction Project Manager at Baylor University. “Their ability to foster a strong sense of camaraderie with both the owner and the design team was instrumental in the successful completion of this renovation.”
In addition to national honors, the project also received the ABC Central Texas Excellence in Construction Eagle Award, recognizing its regional impact and execution excellence. n
WACO HYUNDAI NAMED HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY’S INTERNATIONAL RISING STAR DEALERSHIP
Hyundai Motor Company, a global automotive leader with nearly 5,000 dealerships across 193 countries, has officially named Waco Hyundai its International Rising Star Dealership, recognizing it as the most improved Hyundai dealership.
This prestigious distinction places Waco Hyundai at the forefront of Hyundai’s worldwide network, including over 800 locations in the United States. The award highlights the dealership’s rapid transformation, record-breaking customer satisfaction, and exceptional performance under new ownership.
“After our group, Keating Automotive Group, purchased the dealership from the previous owner in late 2023, our team made a commitment to build something extraordinary,” said Matt Murrey, Managing Partner of Waco Hyundai. “This recognition is a direct reflection of our people, our culture, and the pride we take in serving this community.”
Waco Hyundai is currently in the process of building a 50,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility on 14 acres along Interstate 35 in Waco. This expansive and beautifully designed new dealership will enable Waco Hyundai to continue delivering world-class products in a world-class facility with world-class service. The new location will provide high visibility, improved customer access, and serve as a landmark automotive destination in Central Texas. The new dealership is expected to be completed in March 2026. Murrey also noted that he was notified earlier this year that Waco Hyundai is among the highest customer retention rate among all Hyundai stores in the region, a distinction he attributes to the culture of accountability, care, and consistency his team has fostered. n
The Waco Chamber Communit y Development Foundation is commit te d to recruiting, retaining, and strengthening the talent pipeline across the education and work force systems to meet Greater Waco’s work force needs now and into the future by creating opportunities for regional collaboration, aligning targeted skills with training of ferings and developing programs to connec t business to education .
ROBINSON HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS GAIN WELDING EXPERIENCE AT THE WORKSITE
Drake Morphis, a senior at Robinson High School, is among more than 10 juniors and seniors from the high school who participated in a monthlong summer welding boot camp at The WorkSITE (Skills, Innovation, Training and Education) on Wycon Drive in Waco. The workforce training facility is a partnership between Texas State Technical College, McLennan County and the city of Waco.
The group is the first to work in The WorkSITE’s welding lab since the building opened in mid-February.
“I’ve never used equipment straight out of the box like that,” Morphis said. “It’s definitely an improvement on what I know, and I’m still kind of trying to get used to that, but I think it’s going to pay off. I think it’s going to help me sharpen my abilities.”
Alicia Cruz, associate program lead at The WorkSITE, said the welding lessons have been good to see.
“Watching these young minds dive into hands-on learning, achieving real-world skills and bringing their creativity to life, is a great way to christen the lab,” she said.
Michael Beridon, a senior at Robinson High School, said he enjoys welding because he is not sitting in an office all day. He considers the summer welding
lessons a preview of what he will encounter when he enrolls next year to study Welding Technology at TSTC.
“It’s great and is a really enjoyable experience and good practice for moving on with welding,” Beridon said of the summer boot camp.
Zac Cox, an instructor in TSTC’s Welding Technology program, is teaching the month-long training using a condensed curriculum. He said the first two weeks of the training focus on shielded metal arc welding, with additional teaching planned for gas metal arc and flux-cored arc welding.
The welding boot camp is made possible through a partnership between the Robinson Independent School District - Texas ACE (Afterschool Centers on Education) program and The WorkSITE. The summer session is at no cost to the students. n
MCC COUNSELOR AUSTIN BROWN RECEIVES OUTSTANDING
COUNSELOR AWARD
McLennan Community College (MCC) Counselor Austin Brown was named the 2024-25 Outstanding College Counselor Award by the Heart of Texas Counseling Association (HOTCA) at an awards ceremony earlier this year.
HOTCA, a regional chapter of the Texas Counseling Association (TCA), represents professional counselors across Falls, Freestone, Hill, Limestone and McLennan counties. The organization annually recognizes exemplary contributions to the counseling profession across a range of categories, including Outstanding Elementary, Middle, High School and College Counselor,
as well as honors in private practice, human rights, professional development and research.
Brown was nominated by his peers for his exceptional support of MCC students and was selected from among all college counselor nominees in the region.
“Austin is a remarkable college counselor who daily makes a difference in the lives of [MCC students] and contributes to the wellness of our campus community,” said Lizett LaStrape, Director of the MCC Student Counseling Center.
“In the two years he has been at MCC, he has greatly added to the effectiveness of our Counseling Center. He consistently seeks relevant professional growth opportunities for the benefit of his clients and our center.”
The TCA is the state’s largest
branch of the American Counseling Association and is committed to advancing professional counseling and increasing access to services across Texas. n
LOCHRIDGE PRIEST MAKES FINANCIAL GIFT TO THE TSTC FOUNDATION
Lochridge Priest, an electrical, mechanical and plumbing contract company in Waco, announced its gift of $20,000 given through The TSTC Foundation. The gift will be used to provide scholarships to students in Texas State Technical College’s Electrical Construction, HVAC Technology and Plumbing and Pipefitting Technology programs at the Waco campus. The money was raised through the Lochridge Priest Crawfest held in late April at the The Backyard Bar Stage and Grill in Waco. n
GREATER WACO SPORTS COMMISSION HOSTS INAUGURAL CORPORATE CUP
Over the summer, the Greater Waco Sports Commission (GWSC) hosted Corporate Cup 2025 Presented by Ascension Providence – an incredible day of competition, camaraderie, and corporate spirit! With over 2,000 people in attendance and 38 teams participating, the energy was off the charts. GWSC is excited to continue to grow the event in the coming years! n
Photo courtesy of TSTC
Photos courtesy of Greater Waco Sports Commission
KIDS ‘R’ KIDS OF CHINA SPRING
Kids 'R' Kids of China Spring is a premier early learning academy serving children ages 6 weeks to 12 years. Known for combining innovation with care, the school offers engaging educational programs, secure classroom camera access, and hands-on learning in spaces like their STEAM lab and outdoor playgrounds. Families choose Kids 'R' Kids for its safe, welcoming environment and commitment to helping every child reach their full potential.
Bumble Bee Blinds, Inc. of Waco and Temple is a locally owned and operated custom window treatment company, selling and installing custom blinds, shades, shutters and draperies for residential and commercial customers, both interior and exterior, providing design consultation, and installation services with a focus on customer service. It offers high-quality products that meet all budgets and provides financing options.
Job Harvest Resumes writes resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn bios for those in need. Quite simply, the company was established to help others seek meaningful employment and put food on the table. Additionally, the team provides bonus tips in preparing for and conducting a job search.
William Y. Porter, Founder 5900 Balcones Dr #20805, Austin, TX 78731 (254) 374-5955
JobHarvestResumes.com
CRUZE TEXAS, LLC
Cruze Texas is a locally owned electric scooter rental provider. Based in Waco, they provide Downtown Waco with convenient and green transportation. Their scooters are available to rent from their racks 24/7 and can be returned to any of the conveniently placed locations. This keeps Waco clean and beautiful!
Jordan Jones & Derek Jones, Owners 2120 Broken Shoe Trail, Temple, TX 76502 (254) 493-2563
Facebook.com/share/15fAxPiHs4/?mibextid=wwXIfr
AFFORDABLE OUTDOOR
For over seven years, Affordable Outdoor has delivered high-quality, affordable outbuildings tailored to fit various lifestyles. From storage buildings and barns to carports, RV covers, tiny homes, and office spaces, Affordable Outdoor turns ideas into durable, attractive solutions. Whether adding function, security, or curb appeal to a property, Affordable Outdoor provides affordable assistance. When a small structure is needed for any application, 'If You can Dream it, Affordable Outdoor can Build it.'
James Hardie, Owner
1116 S Connally Dr, Elm Mott, TX 76640 (254) 644-2663
AffordableOutdoorBuildings.com
METRO ELEVATOR
Metro Elevator is the only locally owned and operated elevator company in Waco, delivering nearly 40 years of unmatched expertise in maintenance, repair, modernization, and installation. As an independent provider, they take pride in offering safe, reliable, and responsive elevator service rooted in local values and accountability.
Michelle and Jared Hagaman, Owners
2000 W Loop 340 #305, Waco, TX 76712
(254) 551-1364
Metro-Elevator.com/Waco
REPURPOSEDMATERIALS
repurposedMATERIALS is considered America’s largest industrial thrift store. Its Waco branch is one of six warehouses across the USA. The company’s repurposing efforts will keep 15,000,000 pounds (about 250 truckloads) out of the landfill this year. Stop in and see all the crazy and offbeat industrial castoffs and discards that are just waiting for a second life.
Jeremy Morehead, Branch Manager
801 E Loop 340, Waco, TX 76705 (877) 282-8733
repurposedMATERIALSInc.com
THE CALAO GROUP AT MORGAN STANLEY
The Calao Group at Morgan Stanley delivers comprehensive wealth management and retirement planning services to individuals, families, business owners and organizations. Led by Joe Calao, an advisor with over 28 years of experience, the team offers strategies encompassing investment management, financial planning, institutional consulting, and business succession. Distinguished by a client-centric approach and deep expertise, Joe’s team is committed to helping clients preserve and grow their wealth through tailored solutions.
Simply Wood, a family-owned business in McGregor, was opened in 2019 by Jason and Candi Watts and continues a family furniture tradition dating back to the 1960s. With two buildings—an indoor store run by Jason and Candi and an outdoor store run by their son, Stratton—they offer Amish furniture built with timeless craftsmanship, customizable in finishes, fabrics, and colors. Simply Wood helps turn houses into homes with pieces made to last.
Candi and Jason Watts, Owners 410 S Main St, McGregor, TX 76657 (254) 236-4229
SimplyWoodLLC.com
CASA DO BRASIL WACO
Casa Do Brasil Waco is a Brazilian Steakhouse serving fireroasted cuts of USDA Prime Aged Beef, chicken, lamb, pork, and shrimp served tableside by Gaucho Chefs. The salad bar features over 50 seasonal dishes, including fresh vegetables, homemade salads, cured meats, imported cheeses, seafood, soup, and more! Visit the Bar & Patio for Happy Hour specials and a la carte entrée dining. Casa Do Brasil Waco also hosts a family-friendly, unlimited brunch every weekend!
Oscar Gonzalez, General Manager 1001 Webster Ave, Ste 3A, Waco, TX 76706 (254) 294-8450
CasaDoBrasil.com/Waco
Bambino’s Baby Food offers science-backed, Mediterraneaninspired organic meals for babies and toddlers. Crafted with pure ingredients and flash-frozen for peak nutrition, Bambino’s delivers more nutrients per gram than other brands. Founded by Baylor alumna and medical researcher Zoi Maroudas, it also supports adults, elders, and tubefeeding care. Available in select Kroger stores and ships nationwide.
McAdams Propane Company is a family-owned and operated business proudly serving East and Central Texas since 1996. They provide dependable propane delivery and tank services for residential, commercial, and agricultural customers. Known for their exceptional customer service, safety-focused operations, and modern tank-monitoring technology, McAdams Propane combines trusted experience with a commitment to keeping communities fueled and connected.
Billy Bob McAdams and Josh McAdams, Owners 750 E McGregor Dr, McGregor, TX 76657 (254) 382-1721 mcadamspropane.com
MCADAMS PROPANE COMPANY
BAMBINO’S BABY FOOD
Waco Convention Center - ASM Global Facility (254) 750-5810
