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Economic development staff reports manufacturing expansions, Germany outreach and warns of pending state incentive bills
Summary
Greater Waco economic development staff reported a busy start to 2025, citing a multimillion-dollar expansion by Coca-Cola bottling, a mission trip to Germany that yielded prospective leads, and urged county leaders to monitor state legislation that could limit incentive tools used to recruit business.
Chris Collins presented the Greater Waco economic development report to the McLennan County Commissioners Court on April 15, outlining recent project activity, a business mission to Germany, and legislative risks to county incentive programs.
Collins said February brought 15 attraction inquiries and 13 project proposals. He reported that Arca Continental Coca-Cola Southwest Beverage opened a new facility on Texas Central Parkway, doubling operations from roughly 60,000 to 120,000 square feet and retaining about 150 jobs; Collins said the expansion adds an estimated $15 million annually in local payroll through direct and indirect employment.
Collins also described a county-sponsored mission to Germany, undertaken by a six-person delegation including local government, education and private-sector representatives. He said the delegation met existing and prospective German firms and obtained leads; two prospects scheduled site visits to Waco.
Collins warned the court about state legislation (senate bill cited by staff as SB 878) that, if passed as drafted, could restrict local economic-development incentives and the tools used by local economic development corporations, tax increment financing districts and other programs. He encouraged commissioners to discuss the legislation with state legislators.
Commissioners moved to accept Collins’ report for recording purposes by unanimous voice vote.
