Advanced Concepts and Technologies International
In December 2002, Advanced Concepts and Technologies, International (ATC I), announced the expansion of their Waco Headquarters on Wooded Acres, and the addition of their 26,000-square-feet hangar complex at the TSTC Airport.

"ACT I is pleased to be a part of the growing Waco technology oriented businesses," said Dr. Harold Rafuse, managing director and co-founder of ACT I.

The expansion housed the formation of Aviation Services Division and the Manufacturing Division, which support both fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft by providing a myriad of aircraft repairs, services and inspections. The new divisions will employ 75 new hires and result in $1.4 million in new capital investment.

In addition to the expansion, ACT I also announced a project that will assess, characterize and determine what are the most promising technologies to protect water supplies to military and civilian personnel from nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) threats. The project is sponsored and supported by Congressman Chet Edwards. ACT-I anticipates hiring five to seven qualified scientists to work on this project.

Allergan
Allergan, a specialty pharmaceuticals company with a Waco facility, completed a three-phase expansion project in the Central Texas Industrial District in April 2003.

The expansion includes the relocation of a California-based plastics division, the addition of a compounding area, and a microbiology lab.

The relocation of the plastics division to Waco is the last move of a strategy that Allergan developed to consolidate their North American manufacturing operations in Waco. It accounts for the first-phase of this expansion and creates 23 new jobs.

"The consolidation in Waco is a very strong vote of confidence by Allergan's senior management in Waco and the employee base here," said John Tobin, controller, Allergan.

The additional expansions are due in part to an increase in the volume of prescription eye care products. According to Tobin, these products require a more complicated manufacturing process than lens care products, previously the sole product produced in the Waco facility.

Allergan opened its Waco plant in 1989 and currently employs more than 450 full-time associates. Allergan's Waco operations initially focused on lens care. Since then, Waco's product line has grown to include skin care products for acne and psoriasis, over-the-counter eye drops, prescription eye care, and contact lens care.

FreeFlight Systems, Inc.
When seeking a new location, FreeFlight and its employees chose Waco for the aggressive invectives from the city, grants from the county, and low cost-of-living. In addition, Waco's strategic location on the I-35 corridor is within 500 miles of 1000 aviation companies.

Location was not Waco's only strategic benefit to FreeFlight. In fact, over 50-percent of FreeFlight's skilled labor force are local hires. Additionally, 15-percent of those employees are graduates of local colleges and technical schools.

"Relocating our factory to Waco has been a honeymoon since day one." Steve Williams, president of Free Flight told CNN. The honeymoon isn't over. In December of 2002, just over one-year after their relocation to Waco, FreeFlight announced its participation in FlightVu, a project designed to increase flight security on commercial airlines.

The project has resulted in a partnership between FreeFlight and AD Aerospace Ltd. and Aircraft Systems. The alliance will create as many as 50 new jobs in Waco and a estimated $10 million in revenue

Minute Maid/Coca Cola
In 1998, Waco's Minute Maid facility employed 67 individuals, which were responsible for two production lines. Over the past five years, the plant has grown to employ more than 250 employees that have taken on the responsibility of 11 production lines.

In 2001, the Waco plant became the exclusive producer of the pina colada and strawberry daiquiri Bacardi mixer lines. Other production lines include Minute Maid drink boxes, Hi-C drink boxes, Disney drink boxes, Minute Maid and Disney pouches, and Minute Maid chilled juices.

When asked what makes this facility a success, Minute Maid executives credited the high-caliber workforce at their facility and in Waco, citing them as the "best quality of employees".

The Minute Maid Company has invested an estimated $60 million capital investment in Waco as a result of their expansion efforts. By selecting local contractors to complete work on the facility, Minute Maid continues to contribute to Waco's economic growth.