Nathan Tafoya

Manufacturer gets Go Texan Certified & Inducted into Cowboy Hall of Fame

January 28, 2020 by Nathan Tafoya

Way to go, Priefert!!

January is a big month for this family-owned company. The Priefert Family was also inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame on Thursday, January 16, during a 800-person dinner event preceding the start of the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. Read more at the City of Mount Pleasant’s website.

As an EDC, it is always great to work with this company, support their continued expansions (currently at 900 employees & 1 million square feet under roof), and to greet them at the local BBQ restaurant during lunch. MountPleasant Texas MtPleasantPride

Mount Pleasant, TX "Spirit of Christmas" TV Special

December 5, 2019 by Nathan Tafoya

See the 2019 19-minute KTBS TV Christmas Special on Mount Pleasant by following the link below.

Below is the schedule for the holiday weekend. Visit the City of Mount Pleasant’s Facebook page for more info.

Recent Activity Wrap-Up

November 6, 2019 by Nathan Tafoya

In the past few weeks, MPEDC attended the 4th Annual Northeast Texas Transportation held in Sulphur Springs and the annual, “Stars & Stripes”-themed, Workforce Solutions of Northeast Texas celebration/award ceremony. We’ve learned more about the viability of our region as a place to do business, watched Mount Pleasant companies win awards, and hung out with our economic development partners/friends. Congrats to Mount Pleasant’s Priefert Rodeo & Ranch Equipment for winning Workforce Solutions’ Large Employer of the Year and to Guaranty Bank & Trust for winning Small Employer of the Year! Way to represent! We appreciate your presence in our community.

MPEDC Executive Director Receives Designation of Certified Economic Developer from the International Economic Development Council

November 4, 2019 by Nathan Tafoya

(MOUNT PLEASANT, TX – November 4, 2019) – Nathan Tafoya, Executive Director MPEDC in Mount Pleasant, TX, earned the designation of Certified Economic Developer (CEcD), a national recognition that denotes a mastery of skills in economic development, professional attainment, and a commitment to personal and professional growth.

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) administered the CEcD exam on October 12-13, 2019 in Indianapolis, IN at the JW Marriott. With 13 years of economic development experience, Nathan Tafoya has a successful track record at both state and local levels attracting jobs and capital investment to communities. Mr. Tafoya holds an MBA from the University of New Mexico, where he took 1st place in the school’s annual technology business plan competition and was awarded $25,000 from Lockheed Martin. Mr. Tafoya is also a graduate of the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma. Mr. Tafoya joined MPEDC on June 18, 2018.

“I am extremely pleased to announce I’ve earned the nationally-recognized Certified Economic Developer designation from IEDC,” Nathan Tafoya said. “This designation adds another level of confidence in MPEDC’s activities in the community. The designation also signals to outside companies and consultants that their projects in Mount Pleasant, TX will be handled at the highest levels of expertise and professionalism. I look forward to a continued and rigorous application of all things economic development in Mount Pleasant and Titus County. This community is poised for incredible success and I’m excited to be standing should-to-shoulder with some of the most dedicated and proficient community partners and leaders in Texas.”

The CEcD designation recognizes qualified and dedicated practitioners in the economic development field and sets the standard of excellence within the profession. Candidates must pass a rigorous and comprehensive examination, which has three parts and spans two days. The exam tests a practitioner’s knowledge, proficiency and judgment in the following key areas of economic development:

● business retention and expansion

● finance & credit analysis

● marketing and attraction

● strategic planning

● entrepreneurial & small business development

● managing economic development organizations

● neighborhood development strategies

● real estate development & reuse

● technology-led economic development

● workforce development strategies

● foreign direct investment & exporting

As highly competent economic development professionals, Certified Economic Developers work with public officials, business leaders and community members to create leadership to build upon and maximize the economic development sector. Excellence in the economic development profession improves the well-being, quality of life and opportunities for individuals, businesses and communities. There are currently more than 1,100 active CEcDs in the United States.

MPEDC Regularly Scheduled Board Meeting October 17, 2019

October 14, 2019 by Nathan Tafoya

Community-Wide Internet Infrastructure Availability Survey

October 1, 2019 by Nathan Tafoya

ATTENTION Mount Pleasant & Titus County region! Help!

MPEDC is working with community leaders to bring high-speed, fiber internet to our community (including outlying, rural areas) & we need your help with our feasibility study. We are crowd-sourcing internet availability data via the first-ever, community-wide, internet availability survey done in our area. By completing the survey, you are helping us map our internet connectivity and coverage in a way that has never been done. Please participate. Be heard. Be the change you want to see.

WHAT IS THIS: Mount Pleasant Economic Development has partnered with an internet services and engineering company to make this survey a reality. The survey data only works if we fill it out as a community. Survey questions will be tied to the address you provide to give internet utilities the data they need to move forward in our community. Our survey’s coverage extends beyond Titus County. Every person counts!

WHY: We want to future-proof our community. Internet connectivity is paramount to economic growth. Today, businesses, families, schools, and communities at large rely on ‘connectivity’. From schoolwork and homework assignments, to work requirements and projects, to opportunities for remote-workers and entrepreneurs, the reach and potential of a high-speed internet connection is crucial to the success of any community.

HOW DO I PARTICIPATE: You can find the survey online at internet.mpedc.org (strongly preferred method) or at the Chamber of Commerce in paper form (English & Spanish). The process is simple and only takes a few minutes.

Thank you for helping us grow as a truly connected community!

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