The Chamber's Strategic Plan identifies five target industries that have the highest probability of sustained success for building a stronger economy in Greater Waco. Greater Waco's economic stability is enhanced by the diversity of its economic base. The strenth of this diversity was evident in 2010 when Waco's unemployment rate remained on average one percent belowe state and two percent below national averages.

To capitalize on this diversity, the Chamber's Strategic Economic Development Plan identified these target industries that leverage the region's strengths in order to build wealth through job growth. The Chamber's goal is to grow these sectors through business recruitment and the rentention and expansion of existing businesses.

• Advanced Manufacturing
  More advanced, innovative products will continue to be produced in this country and Heart of Texas region is projected to have strong growth in transportation equipment, plastics and rubber, fabricated metal and machinery manufacturing.
  
  
• Aerospace and Defense
  Aerospace and defense is projected to be a strong growth area. Greater Waco is already ahead of the curve with a strong base in this area led by the Greater Waco Aviation Alliance.
  
  
• Supply Chain Management
  Supply chain management, and the wholesale trade firms that are an integral component of the process, is a key growth sector that is more than just the transport of a product from one point to another. This sector also includes value-added technology services and networks that manage and optimize the entire process.
  
  
• Health Care
  This sector is comprised of both medical services and equipment. Waco's medical sector is experiencing robust growth with $330 million in expansions since 2005 and health and education employment reaching 19% of the economy--1.5 times the national average.
  
  
• Professional and Financial Services
  This area has potential for growth to better serve existing and future employers with legal; accounting and bookkeeping; architectural and engineering services; specialized design services; management and technical consulting services; advertising and related services; and other professional and scientific services.