Our primary goal is to grow the economy of the Greater Waco area. The Economic Development team leads six areas of activities to achieve that goal.

Business Retention and Expansion – The Chamber Economic Development team leads an active local industry on-site visit program to more than 100 major employers each year. The business retention expansion manager is the “customer service” representative for Greater Waco area businesses and works with a team of Chamber volunteers, staff and elected local officials to meet with business managers, tour facilities and assist with issues large and small to ensure the health of the local tax base and employment. The program has developed a thorough database of local business issues for community improvement and attracting new business to the Greater Waco area. 

Site Selection - The Economic Development team is the primary point of contact for clients and consultants evaluating the Greater Waco area for new and expanding investments. They serve clients throughout the development process in site selection, incentive negotiations and project management. Our knowledgeable team acts as your community liaison connecting your company to myriad facts and resources:

• Community Tours
• Site Selection Analysis
• Real Estate Market Search
• Custom Research
• Development Proposals
• Local, State and Federal Incentive negotiations
• Access to Government Officials and Local Business leaders
• Labor Market analysis
• Training partnerships
• Recruitment assistance
• Permitting assistance

Economic Research – The Chamber Economic Development staff develops and maintains demographic, business, workforce and development publications for Waco MSA and the 18 cities within its jurisdiction.  The research staff also produces custom research as a resource for the community and for companies considering expansion in the Greater Waco area. 

Real Estate – The Chamber Economic Development staff assists the local commercial real estate community by keeping an ongoing database of available buildings and sites, marketing the properties directly and through the Chamber website. The Economic Development staff leads the asset development and management of the Waco Industrial Foundation 2,200-acre portfolio at the Texas Central Park and Waco International Aviation Park at Texas State Technical College Airport.

Marketing – The Chamber Economic Development staff markets the Greater Waco area for the attraction of new industry. In 2006, we launched the Waco WE DO brand and are implementing an internal and external campaign. That includes developing materials and reports that describe the community in general and in specific target industries. 

Entrepreneurship – In 2007, the Economic Development staff will begin a program to spur entrepreneurship in the Greater Waco area. The program include coordinating the myriad small business and entrepreneurial resources in the community and establishing new programs including  an “angel” network, entrepreneurship training, technology transfer and other issues that help develop new, high growth companies in Greater Waco.