Frequently Asked Questions About Doing Business in Mount Pleasant, Texas
Get answers about relocating or expanding your business in Mount Pleasant, incentives, workforce, industrial parks, tax advantages, and how MPEDC supports site selectors and companies at every stage.
About MPEDC
What is the Mount Pleasant Economic Development Corporation?
MPEDC is a Type A Economic Development Corporation, a nonprofit funded by a dedicated local sales tax. Its mission is to attract new businesses, support existing employers, and create quality jobs in Mount Pleasant and Titus County, Texas. MPEDC serves as the primary point of contact for site selectors, corporate relocations, and business expansions in the region.
What services does MPEDC provide to businesses?
MPEDC offers a full suite of economic development services including site selection assistance, property searches with ESRI and EMSI data, local and state incentive coordination, workforce training facilitation through Northeast Texas Community College, demographic and market research, infrastructure coordination, and ongoing support for businesses from initial inquiry through grand opening and beyond.
Who should I contact at MPEDC?
MPEDC’s office is located at 302 North Jefferson Avenue, Suite 101, Mount Pleasant, Texas 75455. You can reach the team by phone at 903-572-6602 or visit mpedc.org for online property searches, community data, and direct contact forms. The MPEDC team responds to inquiries promptly and can coordinate confidential site visits.
Is MPEDC funded by taxpayer dollars?
MPEDC is funded by a dedicated local sales tax authorized by Mount Pleasant voters under the Texas Development Corporation Act. This sales tax is specifically designated for economic development activities such as infrastructure for industry, workforce training, business attraction, and retention programs. MPEDC operates as an independent nonprofit governed by a board of directors.
Location & Transportation
Where is Mount Pleasant, Texas located?
Mount Pleasant is located in Northeast Texas at the intersection of Interstate 30 and US Highway 271, approximately 120 miles east of Dallas. The city serves as the county seat of Titus County and functions as the commercial hub of a five-county region with a retail trade area population exceeding 100,000 people.
What major transportation routes serve Mount Pleasant?
Mount Pleasant has direct access to Interstate 30, the primary east-west corridor connecting Dallas–Fort Worth to Texarkana and beyond. US Highway 271 and US Highway 67 also intersect in the city, and the new State Highway 271 Loop improves regional connectivity. Union Pacific Railroad provides freight rail service, and the Mount Pleasant Regional Airport offers a 6,000-foot runway for corporate and private aviation.
How far is Mount Pleasant from Dallas–Fort Worth?
Mount Pleasant is approximately 120 miles east of downtown Dallas, roughly a two-hour drive via Interstate 30. This distance provides businesses with access to the DFW Metroplex labor pool, logistics network, and international airports while offering significantly lower operating costs, land prices, and a less congested business environment.
Workforce & Education
What is the workforce like in Mount Pleasant?
Mount Pleasant draws from a regional labor shed of over 88,000 people within a 60-minute drive time. The local workforce is experienced in manufacturing, food production, and industrial operations. Manufacturing is the largest employment sector, and the area’s unemployment rate is approximately 3.2%, reflecting a stable, active labor force with a strong work ethic and loyalty to employers.
What workforce training resources are available?
Northeast Texas Community College (NTCC) is located in Mount Pleasant and offers customized workforce training programs through the Texas Workforce Commission’s Skills Development Fund. The college provides industrial, technical, and medical training programs. Additionally, the Texas Skills for Small Business program and Workforce Solutions Northeast Texas provide recruitment, pre-screening, and upskilling support for employers.
What educational institutions serve the Mount Pleasant area?
Mount Pleasant is home to Northeast Texas Community College (NTCC), which serves a three-county region and offers industrial, technical, healthcare, and academic transfer programs. Jarvis Christian University, a four-year liberal arts institution, is located nearby in Hawkins. Mount Pleasant ISD serves K–12 students, and the region’s educational partnerships help develop a skilled, industry-ready workforce pipeline.
Incentives & Tax Advantages
What incentives are available for businesses relocating to Mount Pleasant?
Incentives are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and may include direct cash grants from MPEDC, local property tax abatements, Chapter 380 economic development agreements, and infrastructure assistance. The State of Texas also offers programs such as the Texas Enterprise Fund, Enterprise Zone Program, and the Skills Development Fund. MPEDC coordinates all local and state incentive packages for qualifying projects.
Does Texas have a state income tax?
No. Texas has no personal or corporate state income tax, making it one of the most business-friendly states in the nation. Combined with no local income or occupational taxes, a low franchise tax, Employment-At-Will and Right-to-Work laws, and strong tort reform, Texas consistently ranks at the top of national lists for business climate and economic competitiveness.
What is a Chapter 380 agreement?
Chapter 380 of the Texas Local Government Code allows municipalities to offer economic development incentives including sales tax rebates, fee waivers, and grants to stimulate business and commercial activity. In Mount Pleasant, Chapter 380 agreements are crafted on a project-by-project basis, factoring in job creation, capital investment, wages, and overall community impact. Contact MPEDC to discuss eligibility.
What is a property tax abatement and how do I qualify?
A property tax abatement provides a full or partial exemption from ad valorem (property) taxes on new value created by a qualifying project within a designated reinvestment zone. Abatements are authorized under Texas Tax Code Chapter 312 and may be offered by the City of Mount Pleasant and other local taxing jurisdictions for a period of up to 10 years. Eligibility depends on capital investment, job creation, and project type.
What is the Texas Enterprise Fund?
The Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF) is the state’s premier deal-closing incentive. It provides performance-based cash grants to companies whose projects involve significant job creation and capital investment, specifically when a Texas site is competing against an out-of-state location. Award amounts factor in employee count, average wages, investment levels, and industry sector. MPEDC assists qualified companies with TEF applications.
Industrial Parks & Available Properties
Does Mount Pleasant have industrial parks?
Yes. Mount Pleasant has two developed industrial parks within city limits, both with shovel-ready sites and full utility infrastructure including water, natural gas, and electricity. The Cypress Industrial Park has hosted significant investments including the Local Bounti controlled-environment agriculture facility. All sites are strategically located for quick access to I-30 and major transportation routes.
How can I search for available properties in Mount Pleasant?
MPEDC maintains an online property search tool at mpedc.org powered by ESRI and EMSI data. You can search available commercial and industrial properties, view site details, and access demographic, workforce, and market data. For confidential project inquiries, contact the MPEDC team directly, they maintain a current inventory of sites, buildings, and development-ready parcels.
What does “shovel-ready” mean?
A shovel-ready site is a pre-permitted, fully serviced industrial parcel with all necessary infrastructure in place, including water, sewer, electric, gas, and road access — allowing construction to begin with minimal delay. Mount Pleasant’s shovel-ready sites have been certified to reduce time-to-operation for companies that need to move fast on facility construction or expansion.
Target Industries & Major Employers
What industries does Mount Pleasant target?
Mount Pleasant targets industries that align with the region’s competitive advantages, including advanced manufacturing, food production and processing, logistics and distribution, and agri-tech. The community’s strong manufacturing workforce, low utility costs, transportation connectivity via I-30 and rail, and available industrial land make it especially well-suited for production-oriented and distribution-oriented companies.
What major employers are located in Mount Pleasant?
Mount Pleasant is home to major employers including Pilgrim’s Pride (JBS USA), which employs nearly 4,000 in the region; Priefert Manufacturing, a global leader in livestock and rodeo equipment; Big Tex Trailer World; Diamond C Trailers; Newly Weds Foods; and numerous other manufacturers and employers. The community’s entrepreneurial heritage continues to attract companies looking for a proven business environment.
Why do manufacturers choose Mount Pleasant?
Manufacturers choose Mount Pleasant for its combination of low-cost utilities, competitive tax rates, available industrial land, experienced manufacturing labor force, direct Interstate 30 access, and Union Pacific rail service. The region also benefits from strong local government cooperation, a business-friendly regulatory environment, and MPEDC’s hands-on approach to workforce coordination and incentive packaging.
Quality of Life & Community
What is the cost of living in Mount Pleasant?
Mount Pleasant offers a cost of living well below national averages. Median household income was approximately $53,000 in 2023, and housing costs are significantly lower than urban Texas markets. The average commute time is just 16 minutes — compared to the national average of nearly 27 minutes — giving residents more time and less stress. Affordable housing, utilities, and everyday expenses stretch paychecks further.
What is the population of Mount Pleasant?
The City of Mount Pleasant has a population of approximately 16,000 residents, and Titus County is home to roughly 32,000 people. The broader five-county region and retail trade area serves over 88,000 to 100,000 people, making Mount Pleasant the commercial and employment hub of Northeast Texas. The population skews young, with a median age of about 30.
What community amenities does Mount Pleasant offer?
Mount Pleasant offers a vibrant downtown with locally-owned restaurants, boutiques, and the award-winning Alley on Third outdoor music venue. Lake Bob Sandlin provides recreation just minutes away. The Whatley Center for the Performing Arts at NTCC hosts cultural events, and the Mount Pleasant Civic Center and Willow Oak Art Center add to the community’s quality of life. The city is also an official Texas Main Street City.
For Site Selectors
How does MPEDC support site selectors?
MPEDC provides comprehensive, confidential support for site selection consultants including customized data packages, property and building inventories, drive-time and demographic analyses, utility rate sheets, incentive proposals, and coordinated site visits. The MPEDC team understands the site selection process and provides responsive, data-driven information to help consultants evaluate Mount Pleasant against competing locations efficiently.
What data resources does MPEDC provide?
MPEDC offers enterprise-level research tools powered by ESRI and EMSI data, covering demographics, labor market analytics, industry clusters, consumer spending patterns, and real estate availability. Community profile reports, downloadable PDFs, and GIS mapping are available at mpedc.org. Custom data packages are prepared upon request to match the specific criteria of a site selection project.
Can MPEDC arrange a site visit?
Absolutely. MPEDC coordinates professional site visits for corporate decision-makers and their consultants. Visits typically include industrial park tours, available building and land walkthroughs, meetings with local officials and utility providers, workforce pipeline presentations, and community overview tours — all tailored to the specific needs and timeline of the prospect.
Public Information
How do I submit a public records request to MPEDC?
Public records requests under the Texas Public Information Act should be submitted in writing to MPEDC’s designated Public Information Officer. You may submit your request via the contact page at mpedc.org or in person at the MPEDC office at 302 North Jefferson Avenue, Suite 101, Mount Pleasant, Texas 75455. MPEDC responds to all requests in accordance with Texas law.