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JCB outlines south-side manufacturing campus, pledges local hiring and school partnerships
Summary
JCB representatives told the Southwest ISD board about plans for a large south-side manufacturing campus slated to open around mid-2026, saying they expect to create about 1,500 jobs and aim to recruit up to 30% of hires from local school programs through internships and training partnerships.
Representatives from JCB presented plans for a multi-phase manufacturing site on the south side during a Southwest ISD Board meeting, describing a large industrial footprint with welding, presses, painting operations and related supplier space.
Dave Carver, JCB's site operations director, said phase 1 covers roughly 82 acres of an approximately 309-acre site and that the company is sequencing mass grading, utility installation, and building erection with a target opening in mid-2026. Carver said the first product to be manufactured at the site will be a telehandler (SkyTrak) previously built overseas, and that the facility will ultimately produce multiple products now imported from the U.K. and India.
Carver emphasized workforce partnerships with local schools and community organizations, saying JCB hopes to hire roughly 1,500 employees at full build-out and to recruit about 30% of its workforce "straight from the school system." He outlined roles ranging from assembly and welding (trainable in as little as eight weeks) to maintenance, diesel technicians and middle-to-senior leadership positions that will require longer pipelines and partnerships with local training providers, community colleges, and nonprofits such as Goodwill.
Board members and staff asked about the site location and schedule; Carver confirmed the site is along Highway 16 near Walsh Road and Upper White Road and reiterated the mid-2026 target. He also said the company will share slide material with the district to support future collaboration on internships, visits and curriculum alignment.
The presentation was informational; no board action was required. The district said it will accept follow-up materials and continue discussions about partnerships and potential training programs.
