featured-news

Tafoya Steps Down as Executive Director of the MPEDC

May 1, 2025 by Janeth M

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.

MPEDC Welcomes NXG Truck Bodies to Mount Pleasant, TX

February 26, 2025 by Janeth M

The Mount Pleasant Economic Development Corporation (MPEDC) is proud to introduce and announce NXG Truck Bodies as our newest community member. This major project is underway, committing $20 MILLION in investment, annexation into City limits, constructing and operating 120,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space, and creating 95 NET NEW jobs for our community!

We’re thrilled to support this major development and look forward to seeing its impact on our community.

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

Local Bounti Cuts the Ribbon & Celebrates Grand Opening

July 1, 2024 by Janeth M

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.

Mount Pleasant Wins State Award for RoadClipper Downtown Headquarters Project

October 16, 2023 by Janeth M

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.”

Previous slide

Next slide

RoadClipper Enterprises to Locate Corporate Headquarters in Downtown Mount Pleasant, TX

May 8, 2023 by Janeth M

Mount Pleasant, Texas – May 4, 2023

Mount Pleasant Economic Development Corporation is pleased to announce that RoadClipper Enterprises, Inc has purchased a historic and landmark downtown property to establish its headquarters.

The property, located at 301 N. Madison Avenue, includes an entire city block and some of the tallest and most 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.

“I used to go to Sunday School class somewhere in one of these buildings and I was married here,” said CEO Jeffery Crabb during a recent tour of the property, which comprises four separate buildings.

“We will revitalize this iconic and historic building to serve as our corporate headquarters,” said 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.”

RoadClipper Enterprises is the parent company of Diamond C Trailers and other subsidiaries. The firm has rapidly expanded into multiple campuses throughout the community during the past four years.

In 2018, the company employed approximately 225 employees. Today, that number has swelled to more than 850 and there are no signs of stopping. RoadClipper projects to hire close to 80 new jobs at its headquarters location.

RoadClipper was founded in Mount Pleasant, TX in 1985, doing business as Diamond C Trailers. Since 1992, Diamond C’s campus has been located in Cypress Industrial Park with other major employers like international food manufacturer Newly Weds Foods, and most recently, Local Bounti, which is a publicly traded firm that broke ground on 451,000 SF of greenhouse space on January 4, 2023.

Crabb said his company made the decision to purchase the downtown facility to fuel the growth and success of its team-members, its customers, and the community.

“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.

Crabb stated the company is growing at 30% per year. RoadClipper, Crabb said, could see another 400 jobs being added in Mount Pleasant within the next five years.

Nathan Tafoya, Executive Director for Mount Pleasant Economic Development Corporation, said the headquarters project hits a rare trifecta of community benefits.

“While this project surpasses customary economic development thresholds of primary job creation and tax base expansion with its high-paying back-office jobs, it also touches on secondary investment goals in the form of redevelopment & beautification of a languishing, vacant facility,” said Tafoya. “It just so happens that downtown investment and placemaking happen to be strategically aligned to the City’s 2050 Comprehensive Plan adopted in June 2022.”

“Lastly, this project represents the retention and expansion of a major manufacturer,” said Tafoya. “MPEDC had been aware for several months that RoadClipper was vertically integrating and scaling but had begun running out of space and had begun broad property searches.”

Tafoya said there is tangible excitement about the economic impact of RoadClipper’s purchase from those who know about the HQ project.

The economic development project received support from multiple community groups, including written support from Laura’s Cheesecake, Nardello’s, and Jos (Coffee) Downtown restaurants.

City officials believe the company’s growth trajectory and HQ presence will further diversify the City’s economy and workforce offerings.

“We are pleased that RoadClipper Enterprises has chosen Downtown Mount Pleasant and the former First Baptist Church for its new headquarters,” said Ed Thatcher, City Manager of Mount Pleasant.

“Welcoming a major employer to the heart of our community is an important achievement for the MPEDC, the City, and other stakeholders including the downtown merchants. We look forward to the positive economic impact RoadClipper’s presence will bring.”

Through a 10-year performance agreement, MPEDC is assisting the HQ project with an assistance package valued at $2.22 million.

RoadClipper has committed to hire at least 75 net new jobs with an average wage of $60,000 per year and spend a minimum $5 million in qualified expenditures.

“Economic impact for this HQ project in wages alone are at least $4.5 million per year, excluding benefits,” said Tafoya. “Future economic impacts as renovations complete will bring additional community benefit in the form of property taxes.”

RoadClipper has not requested any property tax abatements for its headquarters. City Council unanimously approved MPEDC’s assistance package on April 4, 2023.

Crabb said the community might need to be patient throughout the summer before it sees noticeable changes along Madison Ave.

“The community should not expect to see much change over the next several months as the design and architecture phases of the project are underway,” said Crabb. “Then renovation construction should ramp up around the end of the year with a grand opening sometime in late 2024.”

According to Tafoya, Mount Pleasant is benefiting from massive manufacturing investments, which is signaling subsequent industrial, commercial, and residential growth throughout the community.

“We are in the middle of a three-year stretch wherein local industries are investing more than $120+ million to construct more than a half million total square feet of manufacturing space,” he said. “I think we’ve had a crane in the air, somewhere in our micropolitan community, every day for a full year now.”

Tafoya stated that with other amenities coming online, like a new steakhouse and Chick-fil-A, a new mixed-use development on Interstate 30 and Tankersley Lake, and large infrastructure investments by the City of Mount Pleasant, the community continues to position itself for future success and opportunities.

“From a development perspective, the next five years are going to be a lot of fun around here,” said Tafoya. //

###

CFA Breaks Ground in Mount Pleasant, TX & On-Site Interview

January 27, 2023 by Janeth M

The MPEDC, Mount Pleasant Texas Chamber of Commerce, & City of Mount Pleasant, Texas – Government all thought creatively, worked hard, & sacrificed to maximize the highest & best use of real estate at a key city intersection, the NE corner of Jefferson Ave & US Hwy 67. MPEDC appreciates & values everyone’s participation & effort on this project. Teamwork makes the dream work!

Executive Director, Nathan Tafoya, was privileged to interview Chick-fil-A’s Mt. Pleasant franchise owner, Chuck Howard, on-site. Listen to the video below to learn more about the grand opening, restaurant layout, job opportunities, and more.