For Release October 12, 2023
TEDC Honors Cities with Community Economic Development Awards
The Texas Economic Development Council (TEDC) has announced the recipients of its annual Community Economic Development Awards (CEDA) for 2023.
The awards will be presented at the Award Luncheon at the TEDC’s 2023 Annual Conference on Thursday, October 12th, 2023 in Houston Texas.
The Community Economic Development Award program recognizes exceptional contributions of TEDC member cities toward the economic vitality of their communities and the state of Texas through creativity, leadership, and partnership in the achievement of business retention, business recruitment and community improvement.
The CEDA committee received twenty-four applications this year. Nominees were judged on five criteria: innovativeness, transferability, community commitment and leverage, measured objectives, and secondary benefits.
Communities nominated included: Population Less than 10,000 – Brookshire, Hillsboro, Kaufman, Lamesa and Lorena. Population 10,001 to 20,000 – Calhoun County, El Campo, Granbury, Mount Pleasant, Terrell and Tomball. Population 20,001 to 50,000 – Boerne/Kendall County, Celina, Fate, Greenville, Lancaster, Seguin, Sherman, Stephenville and The Colony. Population 50,001 to 100,000 – Cedar Park, Georgetown, Missouri City, San Angelo, Orange County and Pharr. Population 100,001 to 250,000 – Allen, Mesquite, Sugar Land and Abilene. Population 250,001 and Above – Austin, Waco/McLennan County, Corpus Christi and Lubbock.
The 2023 CEDA recipients in population categories are:
Population Less than 10,000: Lorena Economic Development Corporation
Population 10,001 to 20,000: Mount Pleasant Economic Development Corporation
Population 20,001 to 50,000: Sherman Economic Development Corporation
Population 50,001 to 100,000: Orange County Economic Development Corporation
Population 100,001 to 250,000: Development Corporation of Abilene
Population 250,001 and Above: Lubbock Economic Development Alliance
Innovativeness: Allen Economic Development Corporation
Transferability: Seguin Economic Development Corporation
Community Commitment and Leverage: Calhoun County
Measured Objectives: City of Waco and McLennan County
Secondary Benefits: Hillsboro Economic Development Corporation
“Our Community Economic Development Award is one of the ways in which our organization honors the excellent work done by our communities, their leaders, and their economic development professionals,” noted Ray Dunlap, 2023 Board Chair of the Texas Economic Development Council. “Each community nominated achieved excellence in economic development and substantially improved the economic base of their respective regions. The recipient communities in each population category were recognized for extraordinary accomplishments in meeting the criteria set forth in the nomination process.”
The TEDC provides information, education and legislative services to its members to foster the expansion of existing businesses, the location of new firms and the development of strategies that promote a positive business climate in Texas. With 1,000 members, the TEDC is the largest state economic development association in the nation.
Background:
On May 4, 2023, Mount Pleasant Economic Development Corporation (MPEDC) announced RoadClipper Enterprises, Inc. (RoadClipper) would purchase a deteriorating historical and landmark downtown property to establish its headquarters. The homegrown, family-owned trailer manufacturer is scaling quickly. From 2018 to 2023, RoadClipper grew in employment from 225 employees to nearly 900, with tens of millions of investment in equipment and in 50+ acres of real estate in the City along the way. The company expects to grow beyond 1,200 employees by 2026.
The property purchased by the company, located at 301 N. Madison Avenue, includes an entire city block and some of the most iconic and spacious buildings in the community. The facility’s trademark front-facing white paint and stately columns have become a favorite backdrop for local photographers. The property originally belonged to First Baptist Church, being first constructed in the early 20th century.
While the project is an important redevelopment and adaptive reuse project for a fast-growing primary job creator in a rural community, it also benefits the community in other key aspects. These additional elements include developing a hybrid coworking space that integrates the headquarters facility operations for both public benefit and entrepreneurship support, creating a large meeting space and community arts theater (church sanctuary), fulfilling the City’s 2050 Comprehensive Plan which was completed in June 2022, and creating public green space in the downtown area.
The journey to successful purchase of the HQ facility required multiple stakeholders, methodical real estate takedowns, and mutual commitment/trust from both private and public sectors.
Project Numbers:
- Public commitment: $2.2 million over 10 years
- Private investment: minimum $5 million
- Jobs: 75 minimum
- Average Wages: $60,000 base salary minimum (expected to be closer to $100,000/year)
Quotes from CEO Jeffery Crabb:
“This facility will be a key part of our ability to continue attracting high quality people and talent to come and grow with us in Mount Pleasant,” said Crabb.
“It will be buzzing with many types of business professionals including marketing, branding, IT, HR, R&D, supply chain, finance, and more,” Crabb added. “Plus, we want it to be the nexus for other businesses and entrepreneurs, economic development services and resources, aspiring leaders, and hopefully students and interns too!”
“We will revitalize this iconic and historic building to serve as our corporate headquarters,” said Mr. Crabb. “But beyond that, the property will also be a hub for local business and leadership development far beyond RoadClipper and Diamond C. It will be a catalyst for the advancement of our community, which is a win-win for all.”
