When companies locate to or expand in a city with the help of an economic development organization, the relationship extends beyond selecting the perfect site. Businesses often need help obtaining permits or plugging into the business community and local workforce.
Temple EDC was established in 1988 as a nonprofit organization that works with new and existing companies to enhance opportunities for business development. As a city with access to an expansive medical district, a business plaza and ready-made industrial parks, we provide guidance and connections that foster business growth and cost savings.
Securing Resources
Temple EDC owns several parcels of land, including 147 acres of shovel-ready sites in an industrial park north of the city. Having direct control of these resources allows Temple EDC to expedite the permitting process, removing barriers that often prevent large-scale projects from moving forward quickly.
We also continue to provide infrastructure support at The Parks at Central Pointe, a business and industrial park offering rail services and direct access to Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport.
Infrastructure Investments
In 2019, the City of Temple initiated the Santa Fe Project in downtown Temple — a major redevelopment initiative that brought a 34,000 square foot business center to the heart of the city. Combined with the new Temple ISD administrative building, the project brought nearly 300 jobs to the area and won the Texas Economic Development Council’s Workforce Excellence Award in 2019.
The city has over $350 million in proposed project planning for the Temple Reinvestment Zone (TRZ), extending through the year 2030. Infrastructure investments like these drive a diverse economy that make the city a great place to work and enjoy life.
Industry Partnerships
Temple EDC collaborates with local institutions like the Temple Chamber of Commerce and offers a Business Retention and Expansion program to help new businesses establish connections within the city. Temple EDC’s relationships with area partners allows for a more interconnected ecosystem of resources that supports the needs of growing businesses within the community.
Cost and Affordability Analysis
As members of the Grand Central Texas economic development partnership, Temple EDC maintains access to local, regional, and state partners that can assist with business cost analyses, comparing factors such as infrastructure, incentives and access to talent across a six-county region. The partnership also allows economic data insights that can help qualified projects secure incentive packages in specified industries.
Workforce Development and Talent Attraction
From Temple College’s Business and Community Education division to Workforce Solutions of Central Texas, Temple EDC has forged relationships with workforce development programs to match businesses with talent that possess in-demand skill sets. This includes having access to approximately 300 military retirees that separate from Fort Hood each month and are looking for civilian employment.
Additionally, Temple EDC maintains MeetTemple.com — a talent attraction site that gives insights into the Temple lifestyle, offers a job board for current and prospective residents and provides the latest success stories and updates from the business community.
We are committed to working with new and existing businesses to enhance the economic development landscape and quality of life in Temple. Are you looking to start or expand a business in Central Texas? Read about our key industries or get in touch to get started.