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 White House’s National Economic Council.

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 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.