Waco Marks 83rd Consecutive Month of Growth, Project Announcements and More

Waco Marks 83rd Consecutive Month of Growth

The March 2019 index of the Greater Waco Economic Index reported at an impressive 130.5, surpassing the previous record of 130.3 achieved in November 2018. The leading contributors to a strong economy are home sales (up 17.2% year over year) and hotel/motel spending (up 11.6%), along with increases in home building (up 7.7%) and auto sales (up 6.7%). The average home sale price is up to $199,893 this first quarter, up 12.5% compared to the previous year. Unemployment is down 8.1% year over year at a rate of 3.4 %.

PROJECT ANNOUNCEMENTS

HOLT CAT

Industry: Manufacturing

Market: National

Of Note: Holt Cat has entered into an agreement to purchase a manufacturing facility in Waco, Texas formerly operated by Caterpillar, Inc. Details of the operation are to be determined and will be announced in coming months. Holt Cat has an existing sales and service operation in Waco. This new operation would expand the company’s capabilities in the central Texas region.

Oceans Healthcare

Industry: Healthcare

Market: Regional

Of Note: New Era Partners has begun construction on a $10 million facility for the Oceans Behavioral Health Hospital network located in the Greenway Business Park, adjacent to Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Hillcrest. Oceans Healthcare is a behavioral health provider focused on healing and long-term recovery. The company plans to open a 48-bed, 35,000 square foot facility later this year. Once completed, the hospital expects to employ 90 clinical and non-clinical positions.

The Coca-Cola Company

Industry: Manufacturing

Market: National

Of Note: Coca-Cola will expand its Waco manufacturing facility with a $30 million investment and an added 20,000 square feet. The project will create 20 new skilled positions in addition to retention of their more than 350 current employees. The additional “flex brew” line will be the first of its kind in the United States and will permit research and development of new products and processes.

Cypress Creek Renewables

Industry: Energy

Market: State

Of Note: Cypress Creek Renewables has announced a new five-megawatt, $5.5 million solar farm installation in the City of Robinson. This marks Cypress Creek’s second project in McLennan County since 2017.

Announcing the Opening of Hustle Waco - a new co-working space in Waco!

Hustle had its grand opening on March 1 and welcomed NFL Hall of Famer and board member LaDainian Tomlinson to kick off the evening. The facility provides comprehensive resources to Waco's innovators. As the physical location for Waco's entrepreneurship initiative Start Up Waco, Hustle gives access to co-working space, resource connections, trainings, mentoring and development programs. Visit Start Up Waco's website >

Board of Directors, Start Up Waco

NEW DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES OPENED

Greater Downtown Waco is booming! With almost 2.7 million visitors annually, Waco has become a destination city. Through implementation of a strategic vision, Waco is attracting great companies, talented people and continued interest to our distinct community. Since 2009, more than $1.4 billion in new private development activity has been announced in enterprise zones throughout Waco.

Restaurants/Eateries

ModPizza

1015 S. N. Jack Kultgen Expy.

ModPizza.com

This build-your-own artisan-style pizza and salad experience from Seattle is sure to spice up your lunch breaks! All products are made fresh on demand.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe

922 S. 10th St., Ste. 200

TropicalSmoothieCafe.com

A healthy, fresh new concept with a Carribean flair, Tropical Smoothie Café is bringing smoothies, wraps and bowls to the downtown Waco area.

Harvest on 25th

112 N. 25th St.

Facebook.com/Harveston25th

Harvest is new to the uptown area of Waco and provides good food with good, locally sourced ingredients. They offer breakfast and lunch items from pancakes to tacos.

Waco Food Hub

420 Dallas St.

A new innovation to the food scene in Waco, Waco Food Hub provides cool storage for vendors, certified kitchen space rentals, and will soon launch Waco’s first Virtual Restaurant.

Retail/Shopping

Cottontail Jones

1319 Austin Ave.

CottontailJones.com

A new children’s boutique opened its brick and mortar on Austin Avenue. Childrens apparel, accessories, and gifts are available.

Caliente Home & Apparel

1002 Austin Ave.

The sister store to Simply Irresistible celebrated its grand opening. Caliente Home & Apparel offers jewelery, interior design, and home accessories.

MAKING THE HEADLINES

RECENT & UPCOMING EVENTS

WacoProspector.com is an invaluable resource for commercial real estate listings and sales, providing in-depth demographics and market analysis. Tool options include: property lines, traffic counts, incentive zone boundaries, population, income thematic maps and more.