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.

EDCs reinvest tax dollars and other monies into their communities:

Our mission is to grow local businesses, attract new industries, create jobs, and improve the quality of life by reducing cost, risk, and time for businesses looking to locate in Mount Pleasant. These investments help strengthen our economy, increase local tax revenue, and support long-term community success

On Tuesday, June 18, 2024, Mount Pleasant, TX celebrated the Ribbon Cutting & Grand Opening for Local Bounti. Investors, company executives & operational staff, business partners, and community leaders & elected officials all gathered to recognize and celebrate the company’s official kick-off.

Below is language from MPEDC Executive Director, Nathan Tafoya’s speech at the ceremony:

Ladies and Gentlemen, distinguished guests, community members, esteemed colleagues, and economic development partners,

Good afternoon,

It is with great pride and enthusiasm that I stand before you today to celebrate the official grand opening of Local Bounti’s state-of-the-art agricultural facility here in our beautiful City of Mount Pleasant, Texas. This day marks a significant milestone not only for Local Bounti but also for the future of sustainable agriculture and economic vibrancy for this community. Thank you all for being here to celebrate this momentous occasion with us.

Local Bounti is redefining indoor farming with an innovative method – its patented Stack & Flow Technology® – which will allow it to produce fresh, high-quality produce year-round, regardless of weather conditions. By utilizing cutting-edge technology, energy-efficient practices, and sustainable farming methods – this facility uses 90% less land and 90% less water than conventional farming methods – Local Bounti is setting new standards for the industry right here in Mount Pleasant.

Today, we unveil this 6-acre facility and we are taking a giant leap towards achieving a broader vision of a diverse and sustainable local economy. Mount Pleasant, with its rich ag history, water availability, and central location along Interstate 30, was the perfect site option for this venture. This facility’s location here represents a substantial investment from the company – tens of millions of dollars – demonstrating Local Bounti’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and our community’s future growth.

This facility is not just a building. It will create jobs, foster local talent, and contribute to the economic vitality of the region, including fostering new partnerships with Northeast Texas Community College. So, as we cut the ribbon today, we are not just opening a facility; we are opening doors to new possibilities.

Mount Pleasant believes in the success of this company and is excited to be a part of its future. I believe that the community’s ongoing partnership with Local Bounti will create a thriving ecosystem that will support education, innovation, and a sustainable outlook for everyone.

I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the local officials, community leaders, and residents of Mount Pleasant who have welcomed Local Bounti with open arms and supported this endeavor from the very beginning. We invite our economic development partners to continue on this exciting journey as we cultivate fresh produce and fresh opportunities right here in northeast Texas.

To Local Bounti’s executive and operational team members here today – on the behalf of the City of Mount Pleasant and Mount Pleasant Economic Development Corp. – WELCOME to Mount Pleasant, TX, thank you for investing in our community, and we look forward to a collaborative and prosperous relationship.

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EDCs reinvest tax dollars and other monies into their communities: