The Vision of the Development Corporation of Abilene is to build the future Abilene.
The Mission of the Development Corporation of Abilene is to lead economic growth in Abilene by attracting and sustaining industries that support job creation, foster strong business, and ensure a prosperous community.
This year, the Development Corporation of Abilene continued its tireless work as the economic development driver of our community. In 2022, the DCOA has recruited businesses to Abilene and retained, grown, and partnered with those already established within the region.
This year, we have invested in new and local businesses in our community to increase job opportunities and capital investment in Abilene. With the vision of its 2022-2025 Strategic Plan in mind, the DCOA continues to focus on opportunities that will benefit Abilene for generations to come.
Many companies are choosing to grow and prosper in Abilene with its expansive land, strong infrastructure, and community that embraces economic development. The DCOA Board is proud to continue its support of the DCOA’s economic development initiatives.
Advancing Abilene,
Sam Vinson
Board Chair, Development Corporation of Abilene
The Development Corporation of Abilene is proud to complete another historic year of economic development for our community. Together, we’re building the future of Abilene, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to attract and sustain industries that support job creation, foster strong business, and ensure a prosperous community.
This year, we began the successful implementation of our three-year, 2022-2025 Strategic Plan. The DCOA, along with a culmination of input from the members of the City Council of Abilene and community partners, identified and prioritized goals and objectives including:
• Business Retention and Expansion: Influence business growth in the community.
• Business Attraction: Promote Abilene as the premier location for business.
• Marketing and Brand Management: Market the community aggressively and proactively.
• Workforce Development: Implement innovative workforce initiatives to support Type A Companies.
• Real Estate: Prioritize real estate assets that spur Abilene’s future growth.
• Effective Operations: Ensure DCOA’s effectiveness to continue long-term success and impact for Abilene in economic development.
Among the year’s most notable successes, in 2022 the DCOA partnered with countless local companies to secure their future growth here in Abilene. This is just one example of how we’re looking to the future to retain companies and talent right here in Abilene.
I’m proud of the DCOA’s continued vision and leadership in the community. The work we’re doing for Abilene is highlighted in the following pages of the annual report. Abilene offers a remarkable opportunity for businesses, and we’re prepared to continue our role as the economic development driver of this community.
Building the future Abilene,
Misty Mayo President & CEO, Development Corporation of Abilene
The objectives, strategies, and actions detailed in Abilene’s Economic Development Strategic Plan are a culmination of extensive data analysis and thorough input from the community, stakeholders, and DCOA Leadership. The plan is to evaluate and prioritize the current and future needs of Abilene’s economic development efforts for years to come.
BUSINESS RETENTION & EXPANSION
Influence business growth in the community. Create a culture that engages existing targeted-industry businesses as the catalyst for sustaining and growing our economic base.
BUSINESS ATTRACTION
Promote Abilene as the premier location for business. Strengthen Abilene’s competitive advantage by activating strategies that attract consistent and sustainable investment for the community.
MARKETING & BRAND MANAGEMENT
Market the community aggressively and proactively. Develop a robust marketing strategy for DevelopAbilene encompassing communication systems and strategic research to support all initiatives of the DCOA under a highly recognizable brand.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Implement innovative workforce initiatives to support Type A Companies.
Initiate new innovative approaches to broaden workforce capacity, creating a sustainable pipeline of available workforce and support systems for existing and future Type A Companies.
REAL ESTATE
Prioritize real estate assets that spur Abilene’s future growth Lead industry development initiatives and strategic projects that most effectively impact long-term economic development success.
EFFECTIVE OPERATIONS
Ensure DCOA’s effectiveness to continue long-term success and impact for Abilene in economic development.
Establish sustainable mission-critical operations that maximize the DCOA’s effectiveness in implementing strategies aligned with the Mission.
• Establish a sustainable system for identifying, researching, and engaging existing Type A businesses.
• Develop programs to support the growth of existing businesses.
• Become a hub for creative and innovative business.
• Implement systems that identify and engage targeted prospects, manage their interactions with us, and lead them to an Abilene location decision.
• Commission a competitive analysis and target industry study to prepare research that evaluates our resource capacities and identifies prospect industries aligned with those resources.
• Utilize and expand data & software assets to perform next-level, competitive business retention and expansion, business development, promotion, and marketing operations.
• Identify and develop resources needed to draw prospect interest and confirm the appropriateness of an Abilene location.
• Utilize proactive marketing to implement organizational and industry marketing, and state, national, and international outreach efforts.
• Promote existing growth to leverage positive messages for workforce, business retention and expansion, and business attraction.
• Examine all aspects of the regional workforce and create an action summary to support the needs identified.
• Implement programs to sustain and enhance the skills and capabilities of the regional workforce aligned with targeted industries.
• Further enhance and invest in education and training with educational partners, including an emphasis on exiting Dyess Airmen.
• Implement a real-time sustainable system that identifies and inventories all aspects of available real estate potentially suitable for the needs of targeted prospects, including consideration of acquisition & expansion of existing assets and Industrial Parks.
• Analyze and evaluate costs and benefits of all DCOA properties to determine the best use for each property and formulate plans to implement.
• Plan for long-term opportunities related to economic development incentives, incentive zones, and emerging opportunities.
• Evaluate master plans for both Industrial Parks for updates and improvements.
• Employ systems to ensure engagement of qualified and dedicated Staff and Board members to ensure their contributions through effective training and education.
• Manage engagement of Partners to help deliver aspects of the DCOA’s comprehensive responsibilities.
• Implement best practices for policies and financial management systems to ensure future strategic projects are considered, as well as appropriate budgeting, monitoring, recording, and reporting of financial practices.
$3.36 MILLION
Through upgrading and reconfiguring their current manufacturing facility, as well as adding a weld lab area, the project announced in 2022 will assist in training and retaining their workforce.
The $3.36 million expansion will retain 174 jobs. Additionally, over the next 10 years, the project is estimated to add more than $200 million in taxes for the City of Abilene, Taylor County, and Abilene Independent School District.
“The project with Broadwind exemplifies our commitment to growth in the community. We cannot be prouder to continue to play a role in retaining and growing local businesses.”
Bridgestone Bandag celebrated their 50th anniversary in Abilene and announced a new project in 2022.
Bridgestone Bandag expanded their operations in Abilene with a $60.3 million investment to build 50,000 square feet adding to their existing 200,000 square foot facility.
Over the next decade, the total estimated indirect and direct impact of the retention and expansion of the company is $1.81 billion.
The expanded facility will enhance the community’s workforce, tapping into a skilled labor force in the manufacturing industry.
“Today we celebrate the growth and commitment of this plant and this community, with new investment and a physical expansion. Our company and our Abilene team have a vital role to play in the transformation of mobility brought forth by a desire of building greener retreads, while helping maximize fuel efficiency for fleets.”
Barry Owens Senior Vice President Bridgestone Americas Manufacturing Group
$750,000
BWJ Metalworks, a family-owned business with more than 25-years of history in Abilene, will expand their facility in Abilene, Texas.
Over the next ten years, the total estimated indirect and direct impact of retention and expansion of BWJ Metalworks is $20.9 million.
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“Business retention and expansion remains one of our top priorities and we are proud to have BWJ Metalworks continue to invest and grow locally. This is perfect example of the kind of partnerships we build and foster with companies who choose Abilene.”
Misty Mayo President and CEO DCOA
In 2022, the DCOA committed $580,000 in matching funds for Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grants for upgrades and improvements at Dyess Air Force Base.
For the last three years, the DCOA has committed more than $1 million in matching grants to improve infrastructure for Dyess Air Force Base. These improvements are critical to positioning Dyess Air Force
Base in such a way that it will continue to increase the value to our nation’s defense and strengthen its position as one of the country’s premier air bases.
The 2022 grants are divided into two portions: $300,000 will upgrade fiber infrastructure to position Dyess Air Force Base for future communication needs with the addition of the new B-21 Raider bomber being housed in Abilene, and $280,000 will bolster security in and around the base to protect the incoming B-21 Raider bomber and its resources.
Taylor County, the City of Abilene, and the DCOA announced a historic partnership with Lancium for the development of a $2.4 billion Clean Compute Campus on approximately 800 acres in Taylor County and Abilene. This new development is expected to solidify the region as a major provider of renewable energy, while simultaneously hosting Bitcoin mining
and other energy-intensive applications. Ground breaking occurred in 2022 and will initially contain approximately 100,000 square feet of industrial electric services equipment and data servers.
Over the next 20 years, the project is estimated to generate $993.4 million in total projected economic impact to Taylor County and the City of Abilene and create 57 full-time jobs.
Abilene Mayor Anthony Williams, City Council Members Weldon Hurt, Shane Price, and Donna Albus, Taylor County Judge Downing Bolls, Taylor County Commissioners Chuck Statler, Randy Williams, and Kyle Kendrick, State Representative Stan Lambert, DCOA Board Members Floyd Miller and Jack Rich, and DCOA President & CEO Misty Mayo with Lancium CEO & Co-Founder Michael McNamara and Lancium CTO & Co-Founder Ray Cline
The DCOA team represents the Abilene Region across the country. In 2022, we completed more than 30 marketing missions targeting key industries and audiences to showcase Abilene as the premier location to grow business.
We promoted Abilene at industry summits and conferences across the country to represent our region and have strategic discussions in alignment with our mission and vision.
The DCOA participated in the first ever YTexas Summit in Texas. The DCOA created the “Experience Abilene” Lounge where companies could meet and engage with the DCOA Team and Abilene companies. The DCOA was honored to bring 80 students from Abilene ISD and Wylie ISD to YTexas through the DCOA’s NEXTU Program.
ABILENE ISD AND WYLIE ISD STUDENT ATTENDANCE THROUGH DCOA’S NEXTU
REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS RESPONDED TO IN FY 2022
MARKETING MISSIONS & TARGETED-INDUSTRY MARKETING MISSIONS
TARGETED SITE CONSULTANT DIRECT MAIL CAMPAIGN
Leveraging current successes to aggressively market Abilene as the premier location for business expansion with site consultants in Texas and across the nation - “The DCOA is FIRED UP.”
SITE CONSULTANTS RECEIVED
The DCOA is committed to telling Abilene’s story and staying relevant in all areas of our business.
2022 brought many highlights for our marketing and advertising efforts.
We intentionally selected advertising partners like Texas Monthly, The Techsan, Newsweek, Site Selection Magazine, Expansion Selection Magazine, Area Development, Abilene Reporter News, and more.
Through these marketing efforts, the DCOA reaches more than 2,000,000 readers and subscribers in our targeted industries, site selectors, and business executives from around the world.
The dynamic and highly-interactive DevelopAbilene.com website was launched in the first quarter of 2022.
Featuring interactive maps, market intelligence, and available properties, the new DevelopAbilene.com will showcase Abilene as the premier location for site selectors and business executives.
Contacting the DCOA team has never been easier with contact information for the entire team.
All of the DCOA’s most recent press releases, board meetings, and bid packets can be found in the news section of the website.
Visit us today and see why the future is bright in Abilene.
DevelopAbilene.com
Social media continues to pave the way to reach audiences.
With our newly launched social media strategy, we are able to provide real-time updates, breaking news, and exciting developments from the DCOA. In 2022 alone, our social media platforms reached more than 250,000 users across all platforms, generating hundreds of thousands of visits to the new DevelopAbilene.com.
We invite you to follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook @DevelopAbilene.
The International Economic Development Council chooses a week in May to celebrate Economic Development Week and highlight the important role Economic Development plays in building and bettering our communities.
The DCOA participated in this week with a series of videos shared across social media and through email. These videos featured the DCOA team and over a five day period, generated nearly 75,000 impressions, 550 visits to DevelopAbilene.com, and told the story of our mission, vision, and values.
Visit DevelopAbilene.com/EDW to see the DCOA team talk about the importance of Economic Development in Abilene.
Powered by the DCOA, NEXTU is a career empowerment program. The DCOA provides scholarship dollars for students to obtain industry certifications and education opportunities to pursue their future careers.
In May of 2022, DCOA President and CEO Misty Mayo spoke alongside Abilene Independent School District Superintendent Dr. David Young and Abilene Mayor Anthony Williams at the NEXTU Graduation Ceremony. At the ceremony, the DCOA was proud to recognize:
10 Graduating Seniors (Class of 2021-2022)
11 Legacy Students (Class of 2019-2020)
40+ students enrolled in the NEXTU Program
The DCOA ensures programs are executed to increase the availability and quality of Abilene’s workforce for Type A Businesses of all size.
The DCOA has partnered with the Abilene Independent School District since the inception of NEXTU, and we are proud to welcome Wylie Independent School District and the Big Country Society of Human Resource Management to the program in 2022.
“NEXTU ensures that the students focus on both the technical aspects of employability and the soft skills that are needed to thrive at any business or company.”
Mark Colman President Rentech Boiler Systems
The DCOA created a Manufacturing Certification for the Abilene Region. The custom curriculum is facilitated by Texas State Technical College, Hardin-Simmons University, and the Texas Manufacturers Assistance Center. In conjunction with a $20,000 matching grant by the DCOA to receive the Texas Workforce Commission’s High Demand Job Training Grant, this will train up to 20 individuals at no cost to the participant.
In 2022, the DCOA commissioned a workforce study by Site Selection Group to provide insight and define opportunities for growth in Abilene’s workforce.
A $35,000 matching grant was committed by the DCOA for the Texas Workforce Commission’s Industry Partnership Grant. Key highlights of strategic recommendations and opportunities include:
In 2022, the DCOA, the Dyess Air Force Base Military and Family Readiness Center and the Military Affairs Committee launched the Military Spouse Professional Network. The network provides spouses of military personnel with career development and networking opportunities.
In partnership with the Community Foundation of Abilene for Thrive ABI, the DCOA commissioned a $35,000 childcare study to gain insight and define the main childcare issues our local Type A Businesses face.
A day for graduating seniors to assist in developing a plan for life after high school.
Participants included:
105 Students
14 School Districts
15 Employers
6 Post-Secondary Partners
Texas Workforce Commissioner Aaron Demerson visited Abilene to tour local manufacturers and discuss under-served labor populations.
The DCOA invited local Type A companies to a reception to speak with Commissioner Demerson on ways to create and retain a viable workforce.
The DCOA sponsored the World of Work (WOW) event, a career and post-secondary exploration fair for high school students in the Abilene Region.
Participants included:
2,000+ Students
45 School Districts
40 Employers (14 manufacturers)
18 Post-Secondary Partners
The DCOA owns and operates two business and industrial parks for the benefit of promoting Abilene as the premier location for business expansion. We are leveraging our available sites and land in order to support company growth and expansion.
The DCOA received numerous local, state, and national awards and recognitions for innovative programs and strategies again in 2022.
Recognized for the first time as the 8th Metro in the Nation by Site Selection Magazine, the DCOA set the standard of excellence for years to come.
In early 2022, the DCOA was also selected as only one of fourteen cities in the country to receive the prestigious Community Impact Award from Trade and Industry Development. This annual award recognizes and honors key projects around the country that promise through influential community impact to help shape the communities in which they are located, and in which they continue to develop and grow.
The DCOA also received two of the top economic development awards in the state of Texas from the Texas Economic Development Council. The Community Economic Development Award for Innovativeness was awarded, and the Exceptional Level of Professional Development and Commitment to Excellence was awarded for the third straight year.
The leadership of the DCOA was also recognized, as President and CEO Misty Mayo was named one of the Top 50 Economic Developers in North America. This award, given by Consultant Connect, recognizes economic developers across North America who were nominated by their colleagues in both the economic development industry and the site consultant community for excellent practices, innovation and success in building the communities they serve.
Area Development’s annual Gold Shovel Awards recognize states for their achievements in attracting high-value investment projects that will create a significant number of new jobs in their communities. The state of Texas selected ten projects to submit, and the DCOA’s Great Lakes Cheese project propelled Texas as an award winner.
The DCOA is committed to represent the Abilene Region across the country and being the best-educated team in the region.
In 2022, more than 16 certificates and credentials have been added to the DCOA Team from accredited organizations like International Economic Development Council and the Texas Economic Development Council.
These include Business Retention and Expansion, Workforce Development, Basic Economic Development Certifications, Economic Development Credit Analysis and Finance, and Economic Development Ethics.
Two DCOA team members graduated from Future Leaders Training Program through the Texas Economic Development Council, and all team members became certified in economic development through American Electric Power course for economic development.
Additionally, DCOA team and board members completed the Texas Public Funds Investment Act course through the University of Texas Center for Public Management and Government Treasurer’s Organization of Texas.
The entire DCOA team is committed to learning and
The DCOA is telling the Abilene Region’s story at home and around the world. We are proud to be members of the Economic Development community and serve in leadership and advisory roles across the state.
THE HIGH GROUND OF TEXAS Board Members
WEST CENTRAL TEXAS COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS
Chair, Economic Development Advisory Board
TEAM TEXAS Advisory Board Member
INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
International Advisory Committee
TEXAS MIDWEST COMMUNITIES NETWORK Board Member
TEXAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
INDUSTRIAL ASSET MANAGEMENT COUNCIL
YTEXAS
BUSINESS RETENTION EXPANSION INTERNATIONAL Resource Committee
TEXAS FOOD PROCESSORS ASSOCIATION
SITE SELECTORS GUILD
Guild Partner
TEXAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
Mentorship Program
Future Leaders Training Program
Communications Committee
Conference Committee
Economic Development Sales Tax Committee
Education Committee
Forward Planning Committee
Legislative Committee
Membership Committee
Political Action Committee
Workforce Development Committee
SOUTHERN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
Conference Committee
Silent Auction Chairs
The DCOA actively supports new and existing companies in expansion services — creating and retaining several thousand jobs and recruiting the investment of billions of new dollars in the Abilene economy.
The DCOA is fortunate to attract many companies and projects who make an impact on the Abilene Region and people around the world. The following two pages highlight each of those companies and prove that through their commitment:
THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT IN ABILENE.
DRIVE AVAILABLE LABOR BY DRIVE TIME 33.8 ABILENE MEDIAN AGE
3.6% ABILENE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE
4.5% TEXAS UNEMPLOYMENT RATE 600 AIRMEN EXITING ANNUALLY
8,170 EMPLOYED AT DYESS AIR FORCE BASE
SIX HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS
Christian University Cisco College
THREE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS
20,193 K-12 ENROLLMENT
97.2% GRADUATION RATE
15 NEXTU CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS
13,140 TOTAL ENROLLMENT POST-SECONDARY
University McMurry University Texas State Technical College Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center 79,777
17 MIN. AVERAGE WORK COMMUTE
16% LOWER COST OF LIVING THAN NATIONAL AVERAGE
4.5% Compound Annual Growth Rate
TOP 30 EMPLOYERS BY EMPLOYEE COUNT
ABILENE’S TOP 30 EMPLOYERS
27,550
24,029
Sam Vinson Chair
President | Pine Street Capital
Vic Corley
Vice Chair
Regional President - West Texas | Lonestar Truck Group
Shea Hall
Secretary and Treasurer
Retired West Texas Outreach Director | Senator Ted Cruz Abilene Business Owner
Floyd Miller
Board Member
Financial Advisor | FSC Securities Corporation
Jack Rich
Immediate Past Chair
Retired President and Chief Investment Officer | Abilene Christian University Investment Management Co.
Regi McCabeGossett
Controller
Brock New Vice President of Business Development
Ashley Whitmer Associate Marketing Manager
Rick Jones
Facilities Manager
Akane Thaxton
Finance Manager
Marissa Ransted
Workforce Development Manager
Amy Whitmer
