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MT. PLEASANT, TX — May 16, 2025 — Diamond C Trailers, a leading local manufacturer and 40 year community partner, has announced its decision to repay a $1.42 million forgivable loan to the Mt. Pleasant Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and to list the historic Madison Building for sale.

The Madison Building—originally the First Baptist Church in downtown Mt. Pleasant—was purchased by Diamond C in 2023 with bold plans to transform it into a hub for job creation, innovation, and expanded corporate offices. The project was partially supported by a forgivable loan from the EDC that required the creation of 70 new jobs at the site.

However, shortly after acquiring the property, Diamond C leadership discovered significant financial mismanagement and reporting issues within the company. As a result, the company paused its plans for the Madison Building and focused instead on re-stabilizing its operations and restoring accurate financial performance. The EDC provided a one year extension on required job creation performance in order to provide time for the company to get back on track.

“We faced hard truths, but in true Diamond C fashion, we dug our heels in and worked through them, step by step,” said Jeffery Crabb, CEO of Diamond C Trailers. “We invested last year in rebuilding our financial foundation, ensuring that we were operating with integrity and excellence, and in strengthening our team. 2024 was a very successful year that re-positioned the team for continued, strong, sustainable growth. However, through it all, the Madison building is no longer a part of our strategic growth plans.”

In alignment with its core value to “do the right thing, always,” Diamond C is repaying the full $1.42 million loan to the EDC.

“We’re grateful for the EDC’s understanding and partnership throughout this process and even more so for our very successful job creation partnership over the last several years,” said Crabb. “Although the Madison project will not move forward with Diamond C, we still believe in its potential to be something really special for Mt. Pleasant.”

The Madison Building is now officially listed for sale. Interested parties are encouraged to contact Kristen Davenport at 903-466-1398 for more information.

“Mt. Pleasant is our home. While this particular plan has changed, our commitment to our purpose of fueling the well-being, growth, and success of our team-members, our customers, and our community remains stronger than ever,” Crabb concluded. “We look forward to what’s next—for Diamond C and for our city!”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 25, 2025

After leading the Mount Pleasant Economic Development Corporation (MPEDC) for almost 7 years, Nathan Tafoya is stepping down as the Executive Director in order to pursue other professional opportunities. Mr. Tafoya has agreed to continue with the MPEDC as a consultant for six (6) months to ensure a smooth transition to new leadership.  

Mr. Tafoya joined the MPEDC as the Executive Director on May 15, 2018.  As Executive Director, Mr. Tafoya led efforts to bring significant and innovative industrial corporations to the area and assisted with local business expansions in Mount Pleasant.  Under Mr. Tafoya’s leadership and direction, the MPEDC invested approximately $4.8 million to directly facilitate more than 370 net new jobs and add more than $90 million in private investment dollars to the Mount Pleasant and Titus County tax bases. MPEDC tracked an additional minimum $80 million in an additional industrial investment in the same time period throughout Titus County.

Notably, Mr. Tafoya was instrumental in providing technical assistance to transact the former Chamber of Commerce and Lamb’s Fold Church properties to make way for Chic-fil-A. MPEDC staff is credited with the location of publicly-traded Local Bounti in 2024, located in its southern Cypress Industrial Park.

Under Mr. Tafoya, MPEDC also assisted with the hyper growth of Diamond C Trailers, which expanded from 220 employees in 2018 to nearly 700 in 2025, with multiple campuses and facilities along the way. NXG Truck Bodies, a new manufacturing startup from former Big Tex Trailer founder Ricky Baker, will begin operations with a new 120,000 square feet facility and 100 new jobs by summer 2025.

Under Mr. Tafoya’s leadership, MPEDC also achieved a zero debt balance sheet, and grew its closing fund balance to $8.5 million in February 2025, while investing millions of taxpayer money back into the community via industrial development projects, including $1 million in early 2025 to assist the City of Mount Pleasant with a lift station.

The Chairman of the MPEDC Board, Erman Hensel commented, “Under Mr. Tafoya’s leadership, the MPEDC helped grow the City of Mount Pleasant’s economic base through a number of significant MPEDC-led development projects. His deep knowledge of economic development and commitment to Mount Pleasant have helped it become a desirable destination for new economic development in East Texas.”  

“It has truly been an honor and privilege to serve as the Executive Director for the MPEDC, and I am grateful for the shared achievements over the past nearly 7 years.  While I will miss leading the organization & advocating for the industrial and commercial sectors, I am looking forward to my next professional endeavor.

Economic development occurs when diverse business leaders offer their unique perspectives from years of experience to help guide the community beyond the near future. It is my hope that the vision our team executed will outlast every single member that contributed to it. I am thankful to my staff and Board of Directors for that opportunity. I am confident that there are more great things to come for the City of Mount Pleasant,” said Tafoya.  

The MPEDC Board of Directors anticipate appointing an interim Executive Director while it begins an executive search for its next Executive Director.