Waco's Economic Index
The Waco economy remains in a strong recovery period as the year ends according to the Greater Waco Economic Index, only down 0.1 points in December 2020 at 132.0, compared to 132.1 in November 2020.
Amazon Announces Robotic Fulfillment Center in Waco, Texas
Waco, Texas is primed for success! The Greater Waco Chamber is delighted to welcome Amazon to Waco. More information on the project is below in "Project Announcements."
Aspen Custom Trailers Selects Waco
Aspen Custom Trailers, an Alberta, Canada-based leading manufacturer of heavy haul commercial trailers, has selected Waco for its first greenfield operation in the United States. The company will operate as Aspen Custom Trailers US and has received local support for the project, which will add jobs, bring new investment and serve as a center for Aspen’s manufacturing, service and sales operations across a wide, multi-state region.
4TH QUARTER 2020 PROJECT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Advanced Rail Systems
Industry: Manufacturing
Market: International
Of Note: Leaders in railway automation, Advanced Rail Systems is relocating its manufacturing operation to Riesel, TX in McLennan County. This $2.2 million project will bring 69 new, high-skilled jobs to the community. Construction is currently underway on a 23,250 square foot manufacturing facility, where ARS will produce power switch machines for rail operations.
Amazon
Industry: Distribution
Market: National
Of Note: Waco welcomed Amazon as the community's largest economic development investment on record. Amazon will invest $200M into a 3-story robotic fulfillment center in Waco, creating 1,000 jobs for Central Texas. Construction on the project has already begun and is expected to be completed Q3 2021. Read more.
Envases
Industry: Manufacturing
Market: International
Of Note: Envases, a Mexico-based global leader in the production of packaging solutions announced plans to open its first aluminum can production and distribution center in Waco, Texas. Once completed in late 2021, this $100 million investment will have more than 450,000 square feet of production and distribution space and employ 120 skilled full-time employees. Read more.
Hello Bello
Industry: Manufacturing
Market: National
Of Note: Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard's diaper brand, Hello Bello, will begin manufacturing operations in Waco. The company will take over a 312,000 square-foot facility, formerly occupied by Domtar, and invest $31 million into new operations. Once open, Hello Bello plans to create 145 positions. Read More.
All in for Downtown Waco
The Greater Waco Chamber, in partnership with the City of Waco, CenTex African American Chamber of Commerce, CenTex Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and other community stakeholders launched the "All in for Downtown Waco" campaign with a Biz Bucks voucher program. The Biz Bucks program was created to help local small businesses who are suffering from the economic impact of COVID-19. Wacoans were encouraged to purchase a $5 voucher to be redeemed for $10 at participating downtown, uptown, East Waco, and La Salle destinations. At the program's closing, all 3,000 vouchers were sold, redeeming over $30,000 at over 40 participating small businesses.
Workforce Resource Summit
The Greater Waco Chamber hosted the first annual Workforce Resource Summit. This virtual half-day conference delivered powerful information and thought-provoking conversations to help employers throughout Central Texas understand current workforce issues, including pandemic and post-COVID-19 workforce realities, and how to best overcome challenges and look to the future. HR professionals from around Central Texas tuned in to hear from over 20 speakers including Brian Daniel, Chairman and Commissioner Representing the Public for the Texas Workforce Commission, and Michael Rodriguez, Chief Business Officer of Magnolia. Attendees had the option to receive SHRM Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for attending. The first summit was a great success and we look forward to hosting this event on an annual basis!
Waco Prospector
WacoProspector.com is an invaluable resource for commercial real estate listings and sales, providing in-depth demographics and market analysis. Tool options include: property lines, traffic counts, incentive zone boundaries, population, income thematic maps and more.
Market Stats
Greater Waco's telescopic look into the economy.

(84 available reports)
Regional Labor Force
December 2020:
Waco MSA: 128,902
7-county region: 330,781
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