Greater Waco Business Summer 2022 - Building Our Workforce

A GREATER WACO CHAMBER PUBLICATIONSUMMER 2022

A cornerstone of your Chamber’s Build Greater Waco economic development strategic plan and work is calling on area businesses to learn about their plans and needs and discussing how the Chamber and its strategic partners can be of assistance. These calls are delivered through your Chamber’s Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) program led by Lexy Reil, Director of Economic Development. Lexy is often joined by volunteer leaders from business, education and government on her visits. Your Chamber undertakes approximately 100 BRE calls each year. These confidential conversations serve a very important function. They provide your Chamber’s economic development team with real time, actionable information. They help us retain and grow our regional employers. They strengthen relationships and inform our economic development strategic plan and work, and how we invest our financial resources. In short, they ensure we are connected, informed, and engaged. It should come as no surprise to you to learn that the issue of talent and workforce is consistently at or near the top of the list of matters raised by our company leaders. The talent and workforce themes are consistent; the availability of workers, needed skill sets and work ethic are often discussed. Transportation and childcare needs are interrelated challenges that are also often mentioned. These talent and workforce challenges are not unique to Waco and McLennan County. They are not unique to Texas. They are, in fact, national in scope. This edition of Greater Waco Business Magazine is rich in content and takes a deep look at the talent and workforce imperative. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce provides a view from the national level by exploring pillars to address our workforce gaps (page 8). Texas Workforce Commissioner Bryan Daniel discusses growing jobs in Texas (page 20). Dr. Frank Graves of McLennan Community College explores skilling, upskilling and reskilling (page 30). The magazine also looks at the Chamber’s inWaco Digital Talent Recruitment Campaign (page 44). This campaign was developed and launched as a direct response to what we learned through our BRE calls. Funded by your Chamber, the City of Waco, McLennan County, and private sector partners, the inWaco campaign identifies and communicates with engineers, allied health professionals, and industrial technicians throughout Texas and in targeted markets across the nation to encourage these professionals to explore professional job opportunities with our area employers. Moving into actively striving to recruit talent into our marketplace is a relatively new initiative for your Chamber. It underscores the importance of what we learn through our BRE calls and the magnitude of the talent and workforce challenge. Thank you for your continued support of your Chamber of Commerce.

With PresidentMatthewappreciation,T.Meadors&CEO 2022 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHAIR George Chase Insurors of Texas CHAIR-ELECT Philip Patterson, FACHE Ascension Providence VICE CHAIR Kary Lalani Lalani Lodging, Inc. VICE CHAIR Carolyn Haferkamp Central National Bank IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR Jennifer Manning Pattillo Brown & Hill, LLP CHAMBER STAFF Kris Collins Senior Vice President Economic Development Gabriella Colurciello Associate Director of Marketing & Communications Leigh Davis Director of Marketing & Communications Alivia Gomez Director of Signature Events Nancy Gupton Resource Development Director Jacob Hogan Director of Public Policy & Chamber Foundation Keith Kusler Art Director Rachel Martinez Director of Leadership Development Debbie McCutchen Economic Development Coordinator Sarah McDonald Manager of Signature Events Matt Meadors President/CEO Seth Morris Vice President Economic Development Jason Powers Vice President of Finance & Operations Lexy Reil Director of Economic Development Magen Sepeda Resource Development Coordinator Lupe Teichelman Resource Development Manager Michelle Williams Finance & Operations Assistant A MESSAGE FROM MATT MEADORS President & CEO, Greater Waco Chamber

2 | SUMMER 2022

WACOCHAMBER.COM | 3

4 | SUMMER 2022 SUMMER 2022 EDITOR Leigh Davis ASSOCIATE EDITOR Gabriella Colurciello ART DIRECTOR Keith Kusler AD SALES Gabriella Colurciello (254) gcolurciello@wacochamber.com757-5618 Greater Waco Business is published and distributed to Chamber members and economic development prospects. Digital copies are available online at WacoChamber.com. This publication is printed on FSC-certified paper. © 2022 Greater Waco Chamber 101 S. Third St. Waco TX 76701 • (254) 757-5600 The Greater Waco Chamber reserves the right to reject editorial or advertising content in the Greater Waco Business publication, and via the organization’s full range of communications platforms, at its sole discretion. ON THE COVER At the Greater Waco Chamber, talent and workforce are top-ofmind. Being able to support organi zations already in the community, as well as recruit new business, means the community must have skilled workers available. Read about how the community is building the workforce to be sustainable for years to come. PEOPLE, DATA, FINANCE: 3 PILLARS TO SOLVE OUR WORKFORCE GAPS208 GROWING JOBS IN TEXAS IS A TEAM EFFORT 30 SKILLING, UPSKILLING AND RESKILLING OUR COMMUNITY 6 HOW DIFFICULT ARE BUSINESSES FINDING HIRING 26 (LOTS OF) HELP WANTED 34 FLEXING INTO WACO’S OFFICE SPACE 38 PROSPER WACO HELPS WACOANS PROSPER 42 PUBLIC POLICY: WORKFORCE & EDUCATION 44 INWACO: A TALENT & WORKFORCE INITIATIVE 48 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ON THE ECONOMYMARKETMARKETREPORTINFOCUS 56 CHAMBER NEWS 62 MEMBER NEWS 64 RIBBON CUTTINGS 68 NEW MEMBERS

WACOCHAMBER.COM | 5

Photo by Andrew Neel U.S.Source:Chamber of Commerce Survey VERY DIFFICULT DIFFICULT SOMEWHAT DIFFICULT NOT DIFFICULT NORMAL HOW DIFFICULT ARE BUSINESSES IN YOUR AREA FINDING IT TO HIRE NEW WORKERS? 53% 41% 6% Survey respondents answered on a scale from “normal” to “very difficult.” None of the respondents answered “normal” or “not difficult.”

WACOCHAMBER.COM | 7 In recent years, the United States has faced a national workforce challenge. In a December 2021 survey conducted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 94% of respondents reported businesses are finding it “difficult” or “very difficult” for employers in their community or state to hire workers. Seventy-eight percent of respondents said the lack of available workers impacts the economy in their area the Whilemost.this problem is felt at the national, state and local levels, the Greater Waco community is facing the challenge head-on. This issue of Greater Waco Business delves into the challenges and the unique, ongoing efforts to help our workforce grow and evolve due to the changing needs of our employers. This includes upskilling, reskilling and educating the current workforce, as well as strengthening the talent pipeline to ensure prosperity for all.

8 | SUMMER 2022 HEALTH CARE. millionskeepwithoutsingleEachCHILDCAREMANUFACTURING.HOSPITALITY.CONSTRUCTION.ANDEDUCATION.oftheseindustries—andothers—faceaproblem:talent.Therearetoomanypeoplejobs(orwhoarenotearningwagesthatupwithrapidlyrisinginflation)andthereareofjobsemployerscannotfill. Businesses and families both feel pain. The workforce gap is one of our country’s top challenges. If we don’t address it, our ability to strengthen our supply chain, innovate, and overcome inflation will be severely hindered. In accepting the status quo, we will continue to see overcrowded classrooms, high prices for housing and used cars, and empty shelves where infant formula should be. PEOPLE, DATA, FINANCE: 3 PILLARS TO SOLVE OUR WORKFORCE GAPS by Niki DaSilva, Director of Programs and Policy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Center for Education and Workforce

A lack of access to childcare is exacerbating the worker shortage, making it evident childcare is a workforce issue. Other workers simply want to move into industries off the pandemic’s frontlines.

How Big Is the United States’ Workforce Gap?

Globally, more than one-third of people lost employment or faced reduced hours because of COVID-19. Some of those workers are reluctant to reenter the labor market. Younger workers in particular want greater workplace flexibility.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation launched the America Works Initiative to help stakeholders understand the scope of—and the why behind— the country’s workforce challenges and are developing solutions for employers, policymakers, educators, and investors. We believe we can fill talent gaps by rethinking the way we do workforce development in this country, using data to better match people to jobs, and making public and private investments in the right programs.

WACOCHAMBER.COM | 9

10 | SUMMER 2022

The Great Resignation is real. The United States has seen a significantly higher quit rate over the last two years. Employers are spending time and money finding, recruiting, and training talent just for that talent to walk out the door. Ninety-four percent of state and local chambers of commerce tell us businesses in their area are finding it difficult or very difficult to find workers. Every state has felt the impact. In fact, there are approximately seven U.S. workers for every 10 available jobs. Put another way, if every unemployed person in the United States found a job this week, employers would still have about 5.6 million jobs to fill next Monday morning. Certainly, we need more workers in this country, but we also need to do a better job of keeping Americans in the workforce. Unfortunately, too many employees feel left out. They have the skills, experience, and work ethic to fill talent gaps, but find their skills are overlooked by processes that rely on college degrees and other proxies that were not built to communicate, measure, or quantify the types of talents that are important in today’s economy. We need to understand our (lack of) people problem in a different way. A Way to NeedsAddressUnderstandBetterandOurPeople

Employers of all sizes and industries are competing for talent and looking for creative partnerships to build workforce pipelines and talent pools. At the same time, our traditional modes for matching and predicting employer needs— advisory boards, labor market experts—are not working. Building a workforce that meets today’s needs means hearing directly from employers. Educators as well as public and private funders need business leaders to tell them what jobs are available and what training or education is required to fill them. Developing a common language and clear way to communicate between employers and their talent partners ensures that we are no longer focused on utilizing degrees as a proxy for the skills and competencies that employers are looking for and allows them to hire forMorepotential.than2,500 employers across the country are finding that alignment by making Talent Pipeline Management® (TPM) a priority. TPM is a demand-driven, employer-led approach to closing the skills gap. Utilizing supply chain management principles, this six-strategy framework helps employers play an expanded leadership role as “end-customers” of education and workforce partnerships. The strategies support employers in developing a more data- and performancedriven approach to improving education and workforce partnerships. TPM is different because

access to more granular labor market information, and as a result, are able to improve access to work-based learning opportunities, information on employer ROI, and performance on federal and state program metrics.

it is built on industry best practices, focused on employer return on investment (ROI), and authentically employer led. It puts employers in the driver’s seat for data collection and decision-making and activates

WACOCHAMBER.COM | 11

learners.andandcredentialingdemand,informationgetTheseworkforceforimmensealsoManagementcapacity.neededbyemployersforandforimprovedsharedcommunication,clearerexpertise,leveragegettingresults,addedvaluesmallerprovidingTalentPipelineprovidesbenefitseducationandpartners.providersmoreactionableonemployerincludingskillandrequirements,seeimprovedjobplacementemploymentoutcomesforWorkforcepartnersgain

In 2018, the Kentucky Chamber Workforce Center launched a statewide workforce effort using the TPM framework as its approach. In partnership with the Kentucky Cabinet for Education and Workforce Development, the goal was to create and support at least 20 employer collaboratives (partnerships organized by employers, for employers to address shared workforce needs with management support provided through a new or existing employer-led entity) across the state within two years that could build a talent pipeline for 60 critical job types in the health care, manufacturing, construction, logistics, and business services/information technology sectors.

Statewide implementation of TPM prioritized training nearly 40 carefully selected community leaders in the TPM framework to identify areas of greatest need and to convene industry leaders at the local and regional levels. The Kentucky Chamber Foundation Workforce Center also hired a team of project managers who managed and coordinated the dayto-day operations of TPM while aligning local efforts to the state vision. The result was a grassroots effort of communities convening industry collaboratives locally with guidance and support from state partners.In2020,

• Partnering with postsecondary health care leaders to modernize the clinical rotation model for a stronger pipeline of registered nurses

To date, Building Kentucky’s Talent Pipeline has formed 40 industry collaboratives comprising more than 300 industry leaders working together to build stronger talent pipelines. The results are impressive.

A couple of examples of co-designed talent solutions include:

• Collaborating with a community college to create a deck hand training program that prepares job seekers for lucrative, high-demand careers in the maritime industry

12 | SUMMER 2022

the Kentucky Chamber escalated its goals with a sharp focus on developing solutions to ensure Kentuckians are trained, developed, and upskilled in the career pathways most needed to support the state economy. That year, it also launched a partnership with the Kentucky Community and Technical College System to educate an additional 40 Kentuckians, equipping more provider partners with the skills and knowledge on implementing talent supply chain solutions from their vantage point.

• Connecting students to entry-level health care jobs that provide professional experience and financial support to increase the students’ prospects of graduating as registered nurses

• Working with community leaders to upskill licensed practical nurses into high demand, highskilled positions to improve retention and to fill a workforce need

Seeking to scale the success of the Houston region, the Greater Houston Partnership and Educate Texas brought the TPM Academy to Texas, virtually. Over 30 leaders from education, chambers of commerce and economic development organizations from across the state came together over six months to strengthen their collective efforts in fueling both their communities’ and the state’s economic growth.

The Kentucky program also created a new pipeline in the equine sector. Horses are a big deal in Kentucky, but the equine industry has suffered from major labor shortages that limit growth. To address this problem, the Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) partnered with the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Foundation Workforce Center and the state Department of Corrections to explore the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation’s (TRF) Second Chances program at Blackburn Correctional Facility as a potential source of talent. Qualified inmates now participate in an eightmonth program on TRF’s farm at the Blackburn facility, managing a herd of more than 50 retired racehorses. In addition to building life skills, participants learn to work with the horses oneon-one and take courses focusing on equine anatomy and physiology, basic nutrition, and first aid. As employers learned more about the training at Blackburn, they have recognized the value of creating a clear pathway to employment for participants in the prison’s program. Texas is no stranger to TPM. Houston faces a dire skills gap challenge alongside a changing industry base, an increasingly diverse population, and a fundamental shift in the regional economy as it prepares for the energy transition. The Greater Houston Partnership’s UpSkill Houston along with Houston Back on Track initiatives have led to real-time solutions to meet the demands of employers and increasing their community’s overall competitiveness by upskilling and reskilling their current and future workforce. Spearheaded by Peter Beard the Partnership’s senior vice president for regional workforce development, Upskill Houston has engaged over 130 employers in four key sectors as well as over 65 education, community and workforce organizations committed to developing the pipeline in Houston. The work of these employer collaborative members and their partners has not gone unrewarded. By using TPM they have experienced increased enrollment in programs linked to critical jobs identified by employers, particular in underrepresented populations, along with higher completion rates, in addition to creating and communicating career advancement opportunities for existing workers such as industrial construction craft professionals and others in Houston’s key industries.

Photos provided by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

WACOCHAMBER.COM | 13

• Empowers individuals with a validated record of their skills and competencies in a way that all employers can understand.

• Defines what a competency-based lifelong learner record should be so that learning counts no matter where it takes place.

T3 includes a resource hub to support the development of learning and employment records (LERs), which are digital records that document learning whether it occurs in the workplace, during off-site training, or even in the military. Resources include documentation on data standards that support interoperability across stakeholder systems, technical protocols for linking data to individuals, and high-level field guides that provide instructions and best practices for implementing, coordinating, and evaluating LERs. The Hub is a

Our T3 Innovation Network/JEDx efforts address the data problem. JEDx is a public-private approach for organizing, collecting, and using standards-based data on jobs and employment to improve government reporting (e.g., unemployment insurance wage records), support workforce analytics, and make possible verifiable employment records for hiring and determining benefit eligibility. Through better, more structured, and linked data we can transform how employers signal what is inside of a job and when it changes, and the employment outcomes in the talent marketplace.

• Modernizes technology and advances data standards to achieve seamless sharing of data throughout a person’s education and career pathway.

14 | SUMMER 2022 Using Data Communicateto Skills and How Jobs Evolve Utilizing TPM, employers and employer-facing organizations have a consistent method of bringing business, education, and workforce partners together to better understand a region or community’s people needs. The next thing stakeholders need is data.Data is disrupting nearly every industry for the better—except education and workforce. People struggle on paper (and, if they’re lucky, in an interview) to communicate what they know and why it is relevant. And this imperfect communication is all employers have to rely on to determine the value of an individual’s skills and experience. The country’s talent marketplace also is fragmented, preventing an individual’s record of learning from being transferred as data. If any data is collected, it’s siloed. As a result, we have a workforce system that is slow to react and not serving anyone well. To improve the quality, value, and usability of education and workforce data, solutions must be skills-based, interoperable, and structured and include data about learning, people, and jobs.

The T3 Network is an open network of hundreds of organizations and professionals committed to building the data infrastructure necessary to make all learning count by enabling skills to function like currency. The T3 Network:

WACOCHAMBER.COM | 15

• Advancing private sector innovation in financial instruments for employers and employer collaboratives that are supported by advances in how risk is assessed and managed in the talent marketplace, taking into account the new employer role and ensuring consistency with the guiding principles of fairness and equity. Income Share Agreements are one such innovation that combines an investment in upside training and credentialing while helping manage downside risks associated with employment and earnings.

Revolutionizing the Way We Finance Talent

The federal government spends about $18 billion on workforce development-related programming, but this funding has steadily declined since 2000. The federal government also finances more than $100 billion in college loans annually. Americans hold more than $1.7 trillion in student debt yet, four in 10 college students never complete a degree (attrition rates are higher for low-income and minority students). More than half of college graduates are unemployed or working in jobs that do not require a college degree.Thetraditional college approach has largely separated work and learning, substantially increasing the time it takes to transition students from education to employment and making it even more difficult to respond quickly to rapidly changing skill requirements.

• Developing employer benchmarks and trend data on talent finance. This data must include numbers on education, training and tuition assistance programs.

Employers always have been major investors in talent development, but over the last few decades there has been a decline in training investments and a shift in talent development responsibility and risk to external education and training providers and government. This strategy created cost savings for companies, but came with difficult side effects, including asking learners to assume greater risk in financing talent development. Employers must take the reins again, and reform our talent finance system by:

16 | SUMMER 2022 free resource for all stakeholders. Essentially, it is a community for sharing best practices and an iterative resource that will improve and expand over time based on stakeholder use and feedback. Through collective action, we can unlock the potential of technology and bring about a more equitable talent marketplace. Behind all this, however? Money.

That’s why two years ago, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, the Greater Houston Partnership, and WorkingNation launched Talent Finance, an initiative that reimagines how we finance the development and upskilling of workers and encourages employers and other private sector funders to lead this revolution.

• Promoting innovations in employer financing, includingTuitioncreating:reimbursement programs to pay down student loan debt for workers that Skillsstay. Savings Accounts that employees can use for more flexible, skills-based training and credentialing.

• Promoting employer collaboration through initiatives, like the Talent Pipeline Management program.

• Promoting service provider business model innovation with employers and public and private investors. For example, ASU and Starbucks launched a partnership to offer Starbucks employees the opportunity to pursue their first bachelor’s degree through ASU Online, with 100% tuition coverage. The program attracts new employees and has improved retention rates with existing employees participating in the program.

WACOCHAMBER.COM | 17

Niki DaSilva serves as director of programs and policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Center for Education and Workforce—the nonprofit affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce dedicated to strengthening the nation’s educational standards and the quality of its workforce.

• Work with employers to explore how more

In addition, governments are a powerful catalyst in promoting employer leadership and private sector innovations in talent development that can be instrumental in strengthening economic competitiveness, advancing economic opportunity, and closing the equity and opportunity gap.

• Promote the disclosure of information that assists all stakeholders to make informed and optimal decisions in the financing options for education and skills to obtain a good job.

• Explore alternative approaches to quality assurance that can expand choice for employers and workers in choosing talent development service providers.

Governments also must continue to finance education, training, and credentialing programs.

• Work with employers to explore ways to improve the public-private balance in government incentives for talent development in ways that expand choice for workers.

balanced and aligned public and private finance and investment strategies — backed by stronger quality assurance approaches — can be leveraged to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the talent pipeline.

Given the challenges and opportunities the new economy brings, we need a talent finance approach fit for our time, not one built for a different economy and era. What we need is nothing less than a paradigm shift.

The public sector fills gaps, particularly for people with limited attachment to employers and the labor market as well as the hard to serve and harder to employ.

18 | SUMMER 2022

Policymakers have an opportunity to:

The Time Is Now Solving today’s greatest challenges, whether inflation, inequality, or supply chain friction, requires that we fill today’s jobs and be prepared to fill those of tomorrow. Imagine a future where employers authentically lead in the development of workforce systems and talent pathways. If we successfully address our people, data, and investment gaps, we can create a more competitive workforce and talent development system, and build stronger businesses, communities, and families. With business and government working together to grow our workforce, we can once again build a vibrant, prosperous nation and lead the world for years to come.

The time is now for an American workforce built for the new economy. n

WACOCHAMBER.COM | 19

With net increases in employment, Texas is paying unemployment benefits to fewer claimants than we saw immediately prior to the by Bryan Daniel, Commissioner Representing the Public, Texas Workforce Commission

April marked the sixth consecutive month the state of Texas set a new record for total payroll jobs. Before this streak, the previous record was February 2020, when Texas had 12.9 million payroll jobs. Today, we have about 13.2 million. When we add those payroll job totals to the other types of employment, the overall Texas labor force now stands at 14.5 million people, an all-time high, and 3.7% percent larger than our pre-pandemic total in February 2020. The 6-month streak that started last November marked our official net recovery from jobs lost resulting from the pandemic. Texas was the third state to recover the net jobs lost (Utah and Idaho were the first two).

Considering the Lone Star State saw a decrease of 1.4 million jobs during the early months of the pandemic, this record-setting job growth puts us back on the growth trend we saw prior to COVID-19. Since the beginning of this year, Texas employers have created 178,200 net new jobs. Since 2001, Texas’ labor force has grown by more than 38%, which is more than triple the growth rate of the other 49 states.

Although we see headlines about labor shortages or mass resignations, the Texas Labor Force Participation Rate has returned to prepandemic levels as well. The March rate stood at 63.4%, a full percentage point higher than the national rate, and equal to February 2020 (the last pre-pandemic month).

pandemic, in February 2020. For example, in the first two weeks of May 2022 duringlessbenefits,unemploymentreceived70,000aroundclaimants38%thanwesawthelasttwo weeks of February 2020. Despite having fewer Texans receiving benefits payments, the Texas unemployment rate sits at 4.3%, which is higher compared to our February 2020 rate of 3.5%. Considering the unemployment rate is a self-attestation an individual is unemployed, but looking for work, this slightly elevated rate indicates the state has opportunities to continue to grow the workforce. Not only have we seen overall growth in job creation, Texas continues to see net growth in job postings as well. In fact, we’ve seen an increase of 30% in job postings over the last year, Workforce Solutions Capital Area relocates its North Career Center to the Northview Business Center in Austin. The workforce withandorganizationdevelopmenthelpstrainconnectjobseekersjobs.

Rio Hondo ISD received a Jobs and Education Training Grant for medical training equipment to help students receive healthcare certifications. Accommodations and Food Service Sector in

When we look at the job positions with the most vacancies, we find a list that looks just like the pre-pandemic list. Healthcare (specifically nursing and related jobs), general sales reps, customer service reps, retail sales and computer programmers top the list. Of course, there are other vacancies as well. Statewide, the Accommodations and Food Service sector continues to report unfilled job vacancies and staff shortages. These shortages are real, but they don’t align with the popular narrative on the reason. Jobs in the Accommodations and Food Service sector have surpassed the pre-pandemic level by 3,200 jobs. Meaning, the sector has regained more than the nearly a million jobs lost during the pandemic. That fact, coupled with other economic measures, would indicate some of the shortages are due to both competition for employees and overall workforce expansion. As we’ve looked at the growth in the top jobs with vacancies, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has noted the presence of a skills gap. A skills gap means there are jobs where not enough potential applicants have the skills necessary to fill all the jobs immediately. A good way to describe the skills gap is this: right now, there are about 621,000 unemployed Texans and more than 650,000 listed job openings. Based on those numbers, no one should be unemployed, and the state should have no job vacancies. The reason those jobs don’t get immediately filled with those job seekers is because those jobs likely require skill sets those particular job seekers don’t currently have.

The

with somewhere between 600,000 and 700,000 job opportunities in the state right now.

workforceemployeespartThepre-pandemicdespiteacontinuesTexastoreportstaffshortagesurpassinglevels.shortageisdueintocompetitionforaswellasexpansion.

will be upskilling and reskilling opportunities for the Texas workforce. The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) continues to focus on these opportunities.TWC’sSkillsDevelopment Fund provides a good tool for employers to use to reskill employees or upskill new hires. Working with a community college or other eligible applicant, an employer can develop a customized training program. The state has facilitated training for 32,000 employees with a $58 million investment in the last three fiscal years using the Skills Development Fund.

The skills gap is particularly noticeable in middle skills jobs. By definition, middle skills jobs require some training after high school, but don’t require a university degree. Examples of middle skills jobs include electricians, patient care technicians, plumbers, IT specialists, mechanics and more. Although we classify them as middle skills, these jobs can often be high wage, some providing a 6-figure salary.Middle skills jobs represent more than half the jobs in the state, but only about 45% of Texans have middle skills training. Like the other trends we’ve explored, this middle skills gap started well before the pandemic. Closing the skills gap is important both long term and short term to ensure Texas continues to see increased job growth and employer participation.

A key tool to address the middle skills gap

One of many services TWC and their Workforce Solutions partners offer to employers, job fairs offer an opportunity for local businesses to connect with available talent.

Additionally, the Jobs and Education for Texans program provides funds for public schools and community colleges to upgrade career and technical education facilities to provide students with access to the equipment necessary to learn the current technology they’ll use on the job. TWC has invested $23 million in 106 schools in the last three fiscal years. Particularly for middle skills jobs, TWC’s apprenticeship programs provide employers with an opportunity to establish a sustainable workforce pipeline, especially for jobs with more comprehensive credentialling or licensing requirements. The TWC program provides a way for the state to assist employers and apprenticeship providers with the classroom instruction portions of a registered apprenticeship program. In the last three fiscal years, TWC has invested $19.4 million into this instruction for more than 27,000 apprentices.

In addition to the work TWC is doing, high schools, community college, technical schools and employers are all providing upskilling and reskilling opportunities. TWC works with those institutions along with the Texas Education Agency and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to maximize the state’s resources to accomplish this task.

Texas newtoDevelopmentaCommissionWorkforceawards$1millionSkillsFundgranttrainemployeesattheNavistarfacility.

Examples of TWC’s Middle Skills Initiatives that are currently in progress include a career pathways app for students and job seekers to TWC awarded a Jobs and Education for Texans grant to Rosebud-Lott ISD to purchase robotic equipment for automated manufacturing training.

Upskilling and reskilling aren’t the only tools we will need to eliminate the middle skills gap in Texas. TWC has also invested in 15 projects to address the middle skills gap in diverse ways.

learn about available positions in a format that’s intuitive and timely, as well as career coaching that provides free access to one-on-one support for those looking to take advantage of the state’s rewarding career opportunities. As the Texas workforce continues to build more skills, they will certainly build more opportunities for better work. That, too, creates some of the mismatches between open jobs and available workforce. The situation many in the media dubbed “The Great Resignation” was, in reality, an example of the workforce maximizing their skill sets to secure higher paying or more flexible jobs. The so-called “Great Resignation” wasn’t about quitting; it was actually about better employment opportunities. Workers have to leave one job to take a better one. Many of the tools used to mitigate the middle skills gap will also help ensure Texas employers have the skilled workforce they need to backfill vacancies and create new positions. Some of the staffing challenges aren’t related to workforce skills or better jobs, either. Job creation in Texas isn’t always dispersed statewide. Part of the reason for that is 56% of the Texas population lives in ten counties, and 87% lives in the area bounded by Interstate 35, Interstate 45, and Interstate 10. Which means there can be a concentration of jobs in one particular area. For example, rural areas have seen 2.5% job growth since 2011, while the overall job growth statewide was 25% over the same period.

Job toworkforceandorganizationsdevelopmenteconomicoflocalTWCthatemployersneedsbasedcommunities,happenscreationinlocalontheoftheincommunity.workswithchamberscommerce,our28localboardsensurethoselocal needs are met. In the final analysis, I think you’ll find, local leaders, using the available resources, can provide meaningful help to ensure employers can create and fill those jobs. n In recent years, local companies, including Vossloh Fastening Systems and Englander dZignPak, LLC/PCA, have received nearly $1 million in Skills Development Fund grants. Working in conjunction with local institutions, McLennan Community College and Texas State Technical College, respectively, the employees of these companies received customized training to increase and improve their skills.

26 | SUMMER 2022

Job openings in Texas reached an alltime high in February at 932,000, far exceeding unemployment (about 635,000 at present). While that’s beneficial for those looking for work, it’s presenting notable challenges. Businesses unable to fill positions are often forced to respond by reducing operating hours or even closing locations, and the economy is functioning at less-than-optimal efficiency.Forperspective, prior to COVID-19, the number of job openings across the state had never topped 623,000 and was generally well below that level. In February 2020, just before the pandemic, there were 534,000 openings. With the ensuing disruptions, openings dropped as low as 302,000 (April 2020) before beginning to rise.By the end of 2020, they were back in prepandemic ranges. As the Texas economy continued to gain momentum through 2021, the number of open positions started trending toward 900,000 or even higher. Many factors are contributing to the current labor shortages. Texas is reflecting national trends, with the retirement of the baby boomers coinciding with decisions by younger people to start working later. The so-called “Great Resignation,” where millions of Americans purportedly left the workforce, is also contributing modestly (although, in reality, the workforce participation rate is only about 1% below pre-pandemic levels). Restricting lawful immigration is also a factor, and with the backlog in processing visas and the lack of willingness to enact meaningful reforms, it will take time to even approach more normal levels.

The bottom line, however, is that we’ve seen these labor shortages coming for a long time, although the pandemic accelerated things moderately. Underlying demographic patterns are the primary culprit, and they are by Dr. M. Ray Perryman, President & CEO of The Perryman Group Originally published in Maysyndication4,2022

WACOCHAMBER.COM | 27

THE WACO AREA is experiencing notable growth. Employment now exceeds the pre-pandemic total, and Waco was one of the first Texas communities to regain its lost workers. In addition, the unemployment rate is even lower than the statewide level, measuring about 3.4% in May. Strong gains have been seen in most major industry groups, with particularly high levels of new jobs in leisure and hospitality as well as business and professional services.

Visitors and tourism have become increasingly important over the past several years, and as travel continues to increase, it is likely that the area will see increasing demand in restaurants and retail as well as accommodations. In many parts of Texas and the nation, these industries are finding it particularly difficult to find enough workers, and Waco is unlikely to be spared from these challenges. Education and health care have also generated large numbers of new jobs over the past year, a trend expected to continue over the long term.

28 | SUMMER 2022 not changing anytime soon. Strong economic expansion in Texas is obviously also raising labor demand. Fortunately, Texas is seeing more growth in younger age ranges than many parts of the country, which is helping the situation. In fact, the US population under 18 was about one million lower in the 2020 Census than 10 years ago, while this age group increased by more than 400,000 in Texas. A variety of actions can help. Greater use of technology is part of the solution, as is encouraging people back to work through better compensation and other benefits. Companies can also make it easier for workers by offering childcare and parent care, more flexibility, remote work options, and other enticements. Immigration has long been a crucial source of labor, and reform can help speed the flow of the needed workers. Programs to improve adult literacy can help now, and improved public educational outcomes are essential going forward. Texas has a robust economy and bountiful opportunities. Nonetheless, it is an inescapable fact that worker shortages are going to be with us for a while. n

The economic forecast for Waco is positive, and while business cycles are inevitable, long-term expansion is expected. Additional workers will be required, and a variety of measures will likely be required to entice them into the workforce.

WACOCHAMBER.COM | 29

At McLennan Community College (MCC), we make it our mission to provide Central Texans with the resources and opportunities they need to succeed. Our Workforce Education programs offer college degrees and career training that increase employability and occupational success. These programs not only provide short- and longterm educational opportunities, but they also play a vital role in meeting the specific educational and vocational needs of our community employers. With affordable tuition and flexible scheduling, MCC’s Workforce Education programs are designed to help students achieve their dreams. We believe that when our students succeed, our community thrives. Whether students are looking to gain new skills, start a new career, or simply take the next step on their educational journey, MCC’s Workforce Education programs provide the tools and resources needed for student success.

At MCC, we are proud to offer a variety of health professions programs that lead the way in healthcare education and training. The high-quality instruction taught by our exceptional professors results in several programs earning 100% pass rates on licenser exams as well as 100% job placement rates year after year.

Career-Building and Employee Recruitment Support with MCC’s Workforce Education Programs

by Frank Graves, Ed.D. , Dean, Workforce and Public Service, McLennan Community College

With 88% of the MCC student body residing in Central Texas, most MCC graduates intend to continue living and working in our community after graduation, which provides a pipeline for graduates seeking employment and for employers seeking qualified, well-trained applicants. These are just a few ways that MCC’s Workforce Education programs are making a positive impact in our community.

MCC’s Workforce Education programs are structured around pathways, which are designed to provide students with entry points to clear paths for in-demand occupations. Students choose from pathways including Health Professions, Business & Industry, Creative Arts, Public Services, and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). MCC also offers Adult Education and Literacy programs, which focus on basic literacy and employability skills needed to enroll in a college program or to broaden employment opportunities for individuals.

Partnerships to Offer Access to Quality, Affordable Education

Innovative Solutions for Talent and Workforce Issues

In order to address the shortage of early childhood educators, MCC has partnered with the local Heart of Texas Workforce Board and developed an Early Childhood Education Apprenticeship Program. Through the program, students can earn a college degree while working full-time

In a recent Central Texas Regional Workforce meeting, employers expressed the need for shorter training times, access to students, and challenges attracting and keeping quality employees. MCC’s goal is to increase engagement with industry partners by receiving consultation on program and curriculum development, on-campus access to students for employment opportunities, and assistance with recruiting students for internships. MCC has forged long-standing, strong partnerships with local companies to gain insight into their needs and overall outlook of the job market. With MCC’s Workforce Education programs, we strive to provide individuals with necessary skills and knowledge for success in a variety of industries, and employers have expressed confidence in the quality of MCC graduates. Many employers also mentioned offering flexible schedules and incentives to attract and retain employees who want to further their education. McLennan Community College fully supports these efforts by providing several course options from face-to-face, hybrid, and online offerings. We believe that college should be accessible and affordable for everyone.

Workforce Education Students Persist and Succeed There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing a student overcome the odds and earn a college credential. At McLennan Community College, we celebrate the achievements of our Workforce students at an awards ceremony each semester. Many of these students are working to support their families, maintaining their responsibilities outside of the classroom, and mastering the skills needed to complete their education. It’s an honor to showcase their achievements and help them reach their full potential. These are the stories that inspire us to continue our work in higher education. Every student deserves access to quality education, and we’re committed to making that happen.

With MCC’s partnership with the Texas Workforce Commission on Skills Development Training Grant and the most recent release of the Heart of Texas Workforce Board Incumbent Funds, there are opportunities to provide customized training opportunities for businesses that need on-site training. Through MCC’s Corporate Training Department, companies are able to develop training plans to meet the immediate needs of their workforce utilizing state and local funds. For individuals seeking workforce training, MCC partners with Prosper Waco’s UpSkill Waco program to provide flexible and accessible skills training and job placement support in high demand occupations across McLennan county. Finally, MCC has created stackable, short-term credentials to provide a pathway from Workforce Continuing Education courses to an associate degree. These stackable credentials may ultimately result in students obtaining a bachelor’s or master’s degree from one of our University Center partners like Tarleton State University or Texas Tech University. By taking advantage of stackable credentials, students can earn the education they need without spending a fortune.

The outlook for MCC’s Workforce Education programs is very encouraging. MCC understands the value of an industry recognized certificate and the many skills that can be obtained via short-term workforce continuing education. Additionally, the Waco Chamber of Commerce’s success in attracting new employers provides great opportunities for individuals seeking to enhance their skills to take advantage of the growing career opportunities. The future looks bright for individuals and local businesses participating in MCC’s Workforce Education. For more information, go to mclennan.edu/pathways. If you have general MCC questions call 254-299-8640 or email highlandercentral@mclennan.edu. Together – we can make a difference! n

as an apprentice in an early childhood center. The “earn while you learn” strategy is designed to support working adults who may not otherwise have had the opportunity to pursue a higher education. MCC is committed to providing access to quality education and training that will lead to sustainable, family-supporting careers. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on our workforce. In response to this challenge, MCC sought Reskilling Funds from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. These funds will provide up to $2,500 per semester for students who were prevented from starting or continuing their college education due to the pandemic. With these funds, MCC is providing a highquality education to students who might not return and finish their education.

The Future looks Bright for Workforce Education

WACOCHAMBER.COM | 33

By 2030, flexible workspace is expected to make up 30% of the office market. The world of work is changing, and coworking is a key player in ushering in this change. Gone are the days of long commute times, inflexible office leases, and the overhead hum of fluorescent lighting over all-beige cubicles. Here to stay is a “work-from-anywhere” culture and all the benefits and distractions that come along with it. So, where does 25N Coworking come in? 25N Coworking is more than beautifully designed workspace and meeting rooms offered with a high level of flexibility. 25N prides itself in being a hub for those looking for more than just a place to sit and do your work. We build communities using principles of economic development. Naturally, this means we work best as close collaborators with excellence-driving groups like the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce. Our regular networking, professional development, and business-building events breed useful connections and long-term opportunities to directly impact our members’ businesses for the better. People are able to be more successful using our coworking spaces, and they know it. In turn, economic health connects individuals with their passions, and these passions nurture a sense of community and connection. In alignment with this, we make hospitality our number one priority. We strive to provide second-to-none service and hospitality for a seamless workday. This could take the form of meeting room concierge, brewing coffee, or simply an early morning “hello.” Regardless, when someone enters our space, they know right away that they can count on our full-time, on-site Community Managers to make their workday better. Some of the benefits of our coworking environment include the basics you expect from a flexible coworking space with thoughtful details to surprise and delight. We offer Flexible Workspace like first-come-first-served desk seating and open common areas; Dedicated Desks that provide a dedicated workspace and storage within an open flexible space; Private Offices for members who need fully-furnished private space for themselves or for a team, plus access to shared amenities; Flexible Meeting Rooms and event spaces that are different sizes, types, and configurations; and other services like Virtual Mail, Communications Technology, Trinet HR / Healthcare benefits, and Virtual Assistants. One of the challenges of this environment is that it takes a little time adjusting to if you’re used to working by yourself or from home. Get accustomed to making more time in your calendar for that Lunch & Learn on Tuesday or the Whiskey Club after-hours.

FLEXING INTO WACO’S OFFICE SPACE by Mecca Shannon, Community Manager, 25N Coworking

34 | SUMMER 2022

WACOCHAMBER.COM | 35

36 | SUMMER 2022

Unlike traditional office space, coworking spaces are meant for a wide range of businesses—from freelancers to startups to corporate business entities. Coworking spaces act as an alternative and a more collaborative environment for workers to perform at a higher level with increased rates of employee satisfaction. Whatever you or your team is looking for right now in this transition—no matter how small or big your team is—coworking is a phenomenal option. We have members who have called Waco home for years, and others who are moving to Waco on a new journey. Some members are deciding to start or move their headquarters here, and others have teams that decided to go completely remote and Waco is where they want to raise their families and build their businesses. Many Austin, Dallas, or Houston based organizations are deciding to expand into Waco and 25N has become their newest business home. From students and professors to C-suite executives and startups, our community is filled with people getting creative with workspace and making a change that allows them the flexibility they are searching for.

We have been in, what feels like, constant change for the last two and a half years and a large portion of that change has been seen in the workplace. Companies were forced to figure out working from home and while it was an easy transition for some, a majority found it incredibly challenging both professionally and personally. While many people love the ability to work from home, we also have realized the need for human connection and interaction; which is why the hybrid model of workspace is so brilliant! 25N has intentionally designed each of our locations for increased focus with opportunities for meaningful interactions – if and when you want them.

First, employees are looking for a hybrid work environment. They want the ability to work at home when they’d prefer to keep their sweatpants on and do breakfast with the kiddos, but they also need to have a quiet, inspiring, productive space to escape to. As a result, employers are looking for a new workplace solution for themselves and their Second—andteams.

connected—employers have realized they don’t need the amount of space they once used. Instead of spending money to build out a large space for their team that will only be used a few times a week, having a team office with access to shared space and meeting rooms, as needed, is proving to be a more cost-effective option and a better use of space in general.

The spaces are built in a way that members can work independently, take calls, and have meetings without disruption. When you need a chance to connect with other humans, we host member events each month—always creating opportunities for our members to network, get to know other members, and grow your business.

Simply put, we are confident that 25N will be a hub for business growth in downtown Waco. n

Inception and overview of Prosper Waco

Prosper Waco is an innovative approach to community work that consolidates and builds upon the efforts of existing nonprofits and community leaders. Our vision is a Greater Waco in which all people and institutions work together for the common good. Prosper Waco, as a backbone organization, coordinates communitywide work and promotes collaboration through the following seven core elements —

Additionally, data shows low postsecondary attainment rates, with 62% of our population having only a high school diploma/equivalent.

During COVID-19, McLennan County experienced the largest workforce fluctuation in recent history. Pre-COVID, our unemployment rate averaged 3%, spiking in April 2020 to Throughout12%.

2021 and into 2022, unemployment has steadily decreased, with the average rate slightly above pre-pandemic levels at 3.4%. While this is a positive for our community, even before COVID, McLennan County needed employer-driven workforce training that could be targeted to specific high-paying demand occupations. A 2015 study conducted by the Upjohn Institute showed McLennan County has high rates of residents working low-wage jobs with median household incomes below the state average.

by Hermann Pereira, Chief Program Officer, Prosper Waco, Tiffanyand Gallegos Whitley, Director of Workforce Initiatives, Prosper Waco

38 | SUMMER 2022

6. mobilized funding from within and beyond Waco, and 7. public policy advanced in support of community goals. Positive change in peoples’ lives is directly linked to improvement in education, health and financial security. These are three primary drivers of change toward prosperity. Both research and results-based best practices show us that improving the quality of life for all Waco residents requires looking beyond a single data point or a single sector to the interrelated nature of these three. Education and workforce needs in our community Our focus within education and workforce is to help align educational programs with workforce needs. Education builds a community by helping its youngest members develop into productive and engaged adults. A high school diploma signifies basic education and is critical to adult thriving. Post-secondary education or training enables residents to expand their economic opportunities. Businesses are vital to economic growth and add new jobs to our community. Over the years, businesses have increased demand for jobs that are considered “middle skill,” which require some postsecondary education or training, but not a bachelor’s degree. These jobs also provide a path to a living wage. While living wage jobs are available in our community, who is getting these jobs and who is not? When we look into access, we see opportunity is not equitable across our community.

1. shared visions for change that lead to a common agenda, 2. shared measurement systems to track pursuit of a common agenda, 3. stakeholders working together in mutually reinforcing activities, 4. continuous communication designed to build trust among stakeholders, 5. public will and leadership in pursuit of common goals,

PROSPER WACO HELPS WACOANS PROSPER

• Increased completion of credentials and degrees with labor market value

Our current goals for UpSkill Waco include the following:

• Increased program alignment, data tracking, and sharing at the regional level

• Increased hiring of skilled talent for local businesses

What is UpSkill Waco? UpSkill Waco is an initiative to increase equitable workforce training pathways in high-demand occupations across McLennan County. The goal of the initiative is to ensure businesses have the skilled workers they need, and individuals are able to earn family sustaining wages. Through collaboration we seek to increase flexible and accessible skills training, credential attainment, and job placement support in high demand occupations.

These trends remain consistent and when data is disaggregated by race and ethnicity, disparities are apparent. For instance, White residents earn $55,101 in median household income while Hispanic/Latino and Black residents earn $39,552 and $29,285. Looking at postsecondary attainment, Black and Hispanic/Latino students have lower persistence and completion rates. Additionally, less than 25% of Black and Hispanic/ Latino residents are employed in top high paying demand occupations. Yet, we have high demand jobs going unfilled. Access to the skills training required for these jobs along with earn and learn opportunities are limited. Local efforts are often disjointed and inconsistent, with earn and learn opportunities primarily geared for youth ages 16-24. Overall, we found our community needs more equitable and accessible workforce development.

WACOCHAMBER.COM | 39

Each training location is intentionally selected in underserved neighborhoods to meet people where they are. In addition to providing credentials with labor market value, each training course provides the holistic, individualized coaching and support needed to help participants successfully find and keep employment.

• Living wage attainment for households

Future outlook for UpSkill Waco The UpSkill Waco initiative is evolving and growing based on our learnings and demands in our community. We are very excited about these upcoming opportunities. New Adult Training Course with Stipend Texas State Technical College is hosting its first 12-week mechatronics course in partnership with Education Service Center Region 12. Prosper Waco is providing stipend training spots for UpSkill Waco participants. New Youth Mechatronics Summer Internship We are partnering with Triple Win and Communities in Schools to offer a paid mechatronics summer internship for incoming juniors and seniors. This expands the initiative’s work to include out-of-school-time and summer programming for in-school youth. We received funding from Texas Mutual Insurance to be able to pay for training/ stipend costs and open internship spots to students across McLennan County. All students will receive industry credentials as part of the internship. n Over the years, businesses have increased demand for jobs that are considered “middle skill,” which require some educationpostsecondaryortraining, but not a bachelor’s degree. These jobs also provide a path to a living wage.

WACOCHAMBER.COM | 41 STATE OF CITY & COUNTY SEPTEMBER 15 BAYLOR CLUB STATE OF STATE OC TOBER 11 RIDGEWOOD COUNTRY CLUB STATE OF NATION AUGUST 31 BAYLOR CLUB More Information at JOINWacoChamber.com/EventsUSFORTHEPOPULARPRESENTINGSPONSORS

As part of our public policy work at your Chamber, we are charged with tackling these issues by engaging and advocating to our local, state, and federal elected officials on behalf of Greater Waco businesses. The Greater Waco Chamber Public Policy Committee and its subcommittees gather to advocate for sound, business-focused policies that can help all industries compete and thrive at the highest levels. Historically, our Workforce Development Subcommittee and our Education Subcommittee have operated as separate entities. But recognizing the continual need for industry and education to be aligned in their work, these subcommittees have been streamlined to form the Workforce and Education Subcommittee. The subcommittee’s mission is to recognize that young people are the future of our communities and workforce, and are an essential part of future economic growth. As such, this subcommittee works within the legislative realm to advocate for positions important to our workforce and educational systems. From Pre-K - 12 to higher education, the subcommittee desires to see that every person arrives at kindergarten school-ready, graduates high school future ready, and completes higher education workforceready. Furthermore, the subcommittee strives to see that current workers are provided the tools to grow their skillset through upskilling to help build and strengthen a thriving city, state, and nation for future generations. They are specifically tasked with working to address the challenges presented by the worker shortage by bringing industry and education to the same table to form a cohesive message as we advocate to our elected leaders. McLennan Community College President and Workforce and Education Subcommittee Chair, Dr. Johnette McKown, stated when discussing the work of the subcommittee, “Our community is united in efforts to align industry and education to ensure that we have a prepared and skilled workforce available to support the success of industries which provide the lifeblood of our community. The Workforce and Education Subcommittee is focused in supporting policies on the state and federal level that will strengthen the Texas workforce across all sectors. This means an educated and trained diverse workforce but goes further to maintain an employee base with basic needs met such as childcare, transportation, and sustainable food and housing. This challenge includes affordable education and training and incentivizing industry partnerships. In McLennan County, we can absolutely do this.”

by Jacob Hogan, Director of Public Policy & Chamber Foundation, Greater Waco Chamber

PUBLIC POLICY

Ask any employer in the area, whether it is a small business in the heart of downtown Waco or a large, manufacturing company in one of our industrial parks, and they will all relay the same challenges in finding workers. A similar sentiment can be felt throughout the state of Texas and across our nation. According to the most recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are 11.5 million available jobs across American currently, and only 5.9 million Americans are considered unemployed. This means that even if every single unemployed American was hired, there would be a 5.6 million worker shortage across our nation. Even though Texas and the Greater Waco area perform much better in these metrics, it remains a challenge that we continually hear. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the labor challenges were already present but undoubtedly the pandemic assisted in exacerbating this issue over the past two years. It continues to reveal unique challenges that have no easy, quick fixes, but require a collaborative, multifaceted approach in addressing them.

WORKFORCE

42 | SUMMER 2022

& EDUCATION ARE TOP-OF-MIND AT YOUR CHAMBER

Dr. McKown is right. She recognizes it takes a different approach to meet the challenges of our day. It can be argued that no community is better positioned to rise to the challenge than our community. One of the most admirable and unique characteristics of our greater Waco community is the deep spirit of collaboration found within our institutions and our leaders. They recognize the best way forward is with a cohesive message and partnership that brings different perspectives of various industries to the same table. It is with that mission and mindset in place that we can effectively take on the challenges facing the workforce needs in our community. n

WACOCHAMBER.COM | 43

PROMOTINGDYNAMICWEBSITETHEBESTOFWACO

One of your Chamber’s newest initiatives, inWaco, is a national-in-scope digital talent recruitment campaign strategically designed to tackle local talent and workforce challenges.

Repeatedly, we heard from our members and the broader business community that they were struggling to fill positions with skilled workers. What we knew is that in Waco, we have jobs. Your Chamber is passionate about the success of Greater Waco businesses and that means ensuring that organizations have access to the people they need to grow and thrive. As an organization that builds businesses, we make it our job to intimately understand the needs of employers in our community. For many years, the Chamber has been active in the talent and workforce space, helping to convene stakeholders to align educational opportunities in our community with jobs that are necessary for the success of businesses in our Incommunity.recentyears, we’ve seen talent and workforce challenges exacerbated by external forces, but Greater Waco is resilient. In fact, the Greater Waco MSA was the first MSA in Texas to return to prepandemic levels early in 2021. However, local employers continue to struggle to find skilled workers

to fill their open positions. Through the inWaco digital talent recruitment initiative, we are reaching beyond the borders of McLennan County and into the very locations across the nation where we know the talent pipeline is packed with qualified individuals to fill these positions. We’ve partnered with the City of Waco, McLennan County, and world-class employers including Cargill Protein Group, Hello Bello, L3Harris, and Mars Wrigley Confectionery to further boost these recruitment efforts. InWaco was created to highlight the things that make our community special with the ultimate goal of recruiting and retaining our most valuable resource: our people. InWaco comprises everything Greater Waco has to offer, including jobs. With an integrated job board and place for job seekers to post their resumes, the inWaco website offers a place for employers and potential employees to connect. Talent and workforce remains vital to the work of your Greater Waco Chamber and we are committed to being part of the solution. n

INTEGRATEDJOBBOARD EMAIL TOTARGETEDBLASTSPECIFICMARKETS SOCIALTARGETEDMEDIAANDDIGITALADVERTISING

46 | SUMMER 2022 PRESENTING SPONSORS GOLD SPONSOR JUNE HOUR ECONOMY

June’s Hour Economy was very well attended. It began with VP of Economic Development, Seth Morris, discussing the latest Greater Waco Economic Index (GWEI), which is up 15% since the COVID recession and has seen 14 consecutive months of growth. Featured guest, Matt Scheuritzel (Waco Rowing Center) and Luke Walton (Olympian, Waco Rowing Center) discussed the immense potential for Greater Waco as a national destination for competitive rowing, the economic impact of a robust rowing scene, and their efforts to introduce a younger, audiencediverse to the sport with the support of institutions.andpublicprivate

WACOCHAMBER.COM | 47 The Greater Waco community is full of Wethesebusinessessmall—businessesarethelifebloodofourthrivingeconomy.encourageyoutobuylocal! Visit our online member directory atcom/directory.wacochamber.

48 | SUMMER 2022 For more information on available properties, including demographic reports and surrounding businesses in Greater Waco, visit WacoProspector.com or call (254) 757-5627 526 Austin Ave, Waco (20 Min Drive Time) Value Population (20 Minute Drive Total; 2021) 214,122 # of Households 81,267 Median Age 32.3 years Median Household Income $70,266 College Degree+ 36.2% Labor Force (20 Minute Drive) 102,499 Employed 95,816 Unemployment Rate 5.88% Consumer Expenditures (20 Minute Drive) Anually, Per Houshold Shelter $11,513 Transportation $9,872 Food & Beverage $8,506 Healthcare $4,624 Entertainment $4,079 Top 5 Industries (3 Mile Radius) Count (%) Employees Sales (in $000) Retail / Wholesale 906 (25.8%) 10,202 $2,251,469 Other Services 629 (17.9%) 3,145 $153,176 Health / Social Services / Education 605 (17.2%) 8,284 $225,382 Information / Professional Services / RE 557 (15.9%) 3,480 $430,073 Banking, Finance, Insurance 313 (8.9%) 1,719 $425,247 Source: Info USA 526 Austin Avenue • Historical building constructed in 1916 • Renovated in 2022, deliveries in early 2023 • Two stories spanning 10,480 SF total square feet • Fully utility served • Zoned C-4 Central Commercial District • Landlord willing to build to suit, remodel (TI allowance) • Hard corner near the Silo District in the heart of Downtown Waco • Marketed by Kelly, Realtors –Nathan Embry 254-741-1500 ON THE MARKET

WACOCHAMBER.COM | 49

Stoughton Trailers Industry: Manufacturing Market: StoughtonNationalTrailers, a Wisconsin-based transportation equipment manufacturer, is growing its national footprint with a new $15MM facility in Waco’s Texas Central Park. This 40,230 square foot facility will manufacture chassis products used to haul shipping containers. The facility will employ 125 and serve customers in the southern US.

50 | SUMMER 2022 PRESENTING SPONSORS GOLD SPONSORS MARKET REPORT

Industry:MagnoliaRetailand

Entertainment Market: MagnoliaNationalhasannounced and commenced construction on its new headquarters located in the historic Waco Tribune Herald facility in Downtown Waco. Phase I will begin with the renovation of 70,000 square feet to include offices, studio and film production space and a test kitchen. More than 75 new professional positions will be created and housed at the site. When completed in 2023, this space will employ approximately 200 Magnolia professionals. In May, over 30 attendees heard from Eric Fernandez, a Senior Tech Advisor at Baylor University, in a virtual discussion about the future of wireless technologies and the looming challenge of wireless congestion. Eric addressed issues with latency, security and infrastructure as well as incredible new technologies and initiatives to address the needs of spectrum-hungry wireless devices.

South-CarolinaMarket:Industry:AstenJohnsonManufacturingNationalbasedAstenJohnson has selected Waco for its future nonwoven manufacturing plant, supporting the auto, aviation, healthcare, filtration, and home furnishing industries. The 200,000 square foot advanced manufacturing facility, located in the Waco International Aviation Park, represents an investment of $40MM, creating 36 new high-skilled jobs.

WACOCHAMBER.COM | 51

52 | SUMMER 2022 ECONOMY IN FOCUS Ec n i Ou lo PURCHASING POWER Housing: 74.9 Groceries: 78.4 Utilities: 108.4 Transpor tation: 88.0 Health Care: 93.1 Misc. Goods & Ser vices: 96.5 COMPARISON CITIES Chattanooga, TN: 91.4 Asheville, NC: 101.1 Greenville, SC: 90.3 Richmond, VA: 95.2 Colorado Springs, CO: 103.9 K ansas City, KS: 94.8 WACO COST OF LIVING First Quar ter 2022 Source: 2022 Data Purchasing Power U.S. Average Composite: 100 Waco Composite: 87.1 5.5% UNITED STAT ES 5.9% TE XA S 20222021MAYMAY 5. 1% WACO MSA 3.4% UNITED STAT ES 3.8 % TE XA S 3.4% WACO MSA UNEMPLOY MENT RATE LA BOR FORCE 12 8,97 7 MAY 2021 131,642 MAY 2022 POST JOBS FIND JO BS LEARN MORE

WACOCHAMBER.COM | 53 PRESENTING SPONSOR MORE INFORMATION AT WACOCHAMBER.COM/EVENTS

INDUSTRY TOURS

54 | SUMMER 2022

The Waco Young Professionals (YP) is an opportunity for professionals between the ages of 21 and 40, who call the Greater Waco area home, to network and develop professionally. Whether Waco has been home for years or just a few months, there is opportunity for anyone to forge new relationships within the organization. Part of the Waco Young Professional’s mission is to prepare young professionals to promote economic sustainability and engage with their community, and one way we do that is through Industry Tours. Industry Tours provide YP Members an opportunity to tour and learn from area industries to see the robust picture of the Waco economy. The goal is to have YPs step outside of their own industry to see the diversity of commerce happening in Greater Waco. From manufacturing operations, to tourism, to municipal services, the YPs get to see the behind the scenes of Waco’s businesses and broaden their understanding of what makes up the Waco economy. n

WACOCHAMBER.COM | 55

“By giving me opportunities to help Waco host events, tour local industrial businesses and meet genuine individuals who care for others, the Waco Young Professionals has given me a new appreciation for this city as a local! I came into the YPs with the hope of forming professionally helpful relationships for our business, and additionally discovered a beautiful community of driven and inspired people of which I am grateful to contribute.”

-Rafael Medina, Leal’s Snacks

Ai’Yana Crist , Connally High School, $10,000 scholarship Diana Villagomez , University High School, $10,000 scholarship

High school students in the Leadership, Education and Development (LEAD) program were awarded more than $84,000 in scholarships at their year-end banquet. “The LEAD banquet has grown tremendously since it began almost 20 years ago. The highlight is still the moment we award the $20,000 Bradley Ray Hulse Memorial scholarship, but the whole night is designed to celebrate the seniors who are graduating this year,” said Joe Nesbitt, LEAD founder, mentor and program sponsor. “Knowing that many of these students will be the first generation in their family going on to higher education – and that we have the honor of helping some of these students achieve their dreams through these scholarships – is part of what makes this night so special.”

Montserrat Serrano, Waco High School, $6,500 scholarship

Albert JJ White, Jr., Midway High School, $6,500 Battle Family No Boundaries Scholarship

Rashad Satchell, Midway High School, $3,000 scholarship Emili Montelongo, Waco High School, $3,000 scholarship

Kyndel Dempsey, Connally High School, $2,500 scholarship

Alyssa Andrews, Rapoport Academy: Meyer High School, $3,000 scholarship

Jerushalayim Guadarrama Perea, La Vega High School, $4,500 scholarship

TO 16 LOCAL STUDENTS

56 | SUMMER 2022 CHAMBER NEWS LEAD PROGRAM AWARDS

Taylor Hightower, Methodist Children’s Home, $3,000 scholarship

ZaCobie Haverly, Midway High School, $1,000 scholarship

2022 LEAD Scholarship Recipients: Madison Lindell, La Vega High School, $20,000 Bradley Ray Hulse Memorial Scholarship

Julian Watkins, Waco High School, $3,000 Alton Davis Memorial Scholarship

Joseph Labay, Midway High School, $1,000 scholarship

Kiana Redrick , Waco High School, $1,000 Ashley Phillips Reaching Back As You Climb Scholarship

Samantha Nava, Waco High School, $6,500 scholarship

$84,500 IN SCHOLARSHIPS

The Bradley Ray Hulse Memorial Scholarship is sponsored by Central National Bank and The First National Bank of Central Texas. Other scholarship sponsors include Brazos Masonry, the City of Waco, Magnolia, McLennan Community College, Ashley Phillips, the Battle Family and the Davis Family. n

WACOCHAMBER.COM | 57 LEADING WACO WOMEN BRINGS WOMEN LEADERS TOGETHER In May, the Greater Waco Chamber hosted the first in the 2022 Leading Waco Women Series, the Empowering Through Mentoring Summit, which featured three mentor/mentee pairs discussing the evolution of their relationships and facilitator-driven discussions at each table. The Series will continue in the fall with the Leading Waco Women Serving Summit and ATHENA Leadership Award. This series was created to celebrate, empower and develop female leaders in the Waco community. The twopart annual series provides oneinAwardATHENANominationsmentoring.empoweringleadership:componentsonsummitnetworking.discussionsspeakers,conferences,throughopportunitiesdevelopmentprofessionalhalf-daykeynotepanelandEachfocusesthethreeofserving,andfortheLeadershipwillopenlateJuneformonth.Moredetails are available AscensionPresentingwacochamber.com/leading-waco-women.atsponsorshipprovidedbyProvidence.

n Waco Police Chief Sheryl Victorian with her mentees from the Houston Police Department Lieutenant Carol Hampton and Sergeant Erica Dean Creative Waco Executive Director Fiona Bond with her mentee Andrea Kosar, President & CEO of the Cen-Tex Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Misti Mostiller, Executive Vice President at Extraco Banks and Director of Consumer Strategy and Innovation with her mentee Krista Rosas, Administrative Officer at Extraco Banks Panel moderated by Liz Barton

58 | SUMMER 2022 CHAMBER NEWS THE TEXAS FOOD TRUCK SHOWDOWN WAS A HIT! The Texas Food Truck Showdown overtook Heritage Square in downtown Waco, with 35 food trucks from around the country. This unique event brought over 20,000 foodies together in downtown Waco for a full day of food and fun. During the event, we presented awards to six food trucks: Grand champion, sponsored by Main Event: Gelu Italian Ice People’s Choice: Nico’s Of Texas Best Southern Style: Heny’s Fly Chicken Best Dessert: Doughnut Snob Best Between the Buns: The BITE Company Best International: Bahler Street Pizza Watch the Texas Food Truck Showdown Facebook page and website for more details about the Chamber’s 2023 Showdown scheduled for March of next Presentingyear!sponsorship for The Texas Food Truck Showdown is provided by Texas Farm Bureau. n

WACOCHAMBER.COM | 59

CHAMBER NEWS

GREATER WACO CHAMBER VISITS WASHINGTON, D.C.

This year, the annual Washington, D.C. Fly-In returned! A delegation of more than 20 local leaders visited our nation’s capital to hear tailored briefings specific to our region’s business priorities from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and leaders of the U.S. House and Senate. Delegates spent three days visiting our representatives’ offices and advocating for policies that will positively impact our “Thiscommunity.visitisimportant because we have the opportunity to advocate for policies that matter to our business community and the Greater Waco community as a whole,” said Jacob Hogan, public policy director for the Greater Waco Chamber. n

WACOCHAMBER.COM | 61 In early May, the Greater Waco Chamber hosted a great Allen Samuels Chamber Classic! We could not have asked for better chamber of commerce weather. Thanks to our golfers and sponsors for spending the day with us! Congratulations to our Spirit Contest winner, Hawaiian Bros Island Grill. Presenting sponsorship for the Allen Samuels Chamber Classic is provided by Allen Samuels Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram Fiat. n ALLEN SAMUELS CHAMBER CLASSIC SELLS OUT

Ryan Becerra, of Waco, began work in mid-May as an electrical assembler in the company’s avionics manufacturing department in Waco. Becerra is a TSTC graduate with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Avionics “I’mTechnology.veryexcited (about the new job),” Becerra said. “I will take what I learned [at TSTC] and apply it there.”

Marty Segraves, an instructor in TSTC’s Avionics Technology program, said Becerra is a hard worker and skilled “Hetechnician.isdeliberate and thorough in his work and achieves great results with remarkable efficiency,” Segraves said. “He can rapidly flex from simple, mundane tasks to complex problems requiring higher-level thought. He is truly a highly versatile technician.” Becerra grew up in Waco and is a graduate of University High School. “I wanted to be successful and do well for my family,” Becerra said.” I wanted to get in a better position. I was tired of struggling financially.” He said he did not know much about avionics technology before entering TSTC, but he said he took to what he was learning easily. “I loved it,” he said. “They (the instructors) make me laugh. They make me work hard. They make it a great atmosphere to learn.”

Sara Tatsch, the company’s vice president and general manager of the Modernization and Modifications Group, said its partnership with TSTC is important and needs to be celebrated as quality graduates are L3Harrishired. is an international aerospace and defense technology company with employees in more than 100 countries. The company’s Waco facility specializes in aircraft modifications. n

Becerra kept up a demanding schedule during his time at TSTC. On weekdays, he worked from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. at a local company, then he went home to eat or take a nap before his morning classes. Whenever his classes ended for the day, Becerra went back home to eat, shower and sleep before he went to work. He did a lot of his studying on weekends but used time during the week to finish projects with deadlines.

62 | SUMMER 2022 MEMBER NEWS

MAYBORN MUSEUM HOSTS DC SUPER HEROES

Guests of all ages will develop new skills and learn the importance of teamwork at the Hall of Justice as they work together to solve problems and catch Super-Villains in a series of fastpaced Duringchallenges.thistemporary exhibit, brave recruits will be called on by members of the Justice League to make the world a safer place by battling SuperVillains in the fictional, crime-infested city. Recruits-in-training will join the DC Super Heroes in solving problems and catching Super-Villains in a series of fast-paced challenges in the city and surrounding area. n TSTC, TECHNOLOGYOFCELEBRATETECHNOLOGIESL3HARRISHIRINGTSTCAVIONICSSTUDENT

EXHIBIT Families across Waco are invited to join forces with iconic DC Super Heroes such as Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman when they swoop into town for DC Super Heroes: Discover Your Superpowers, an interactive exhibition open through September 11. Families are encouraged to grab their capes and go on an adventure as “reserve Super Heroes-in-training.”

The goals she shares with the chamber include bringing more small businesses under its tent, particularly those led by Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs. She wants LaSalle Avenue to reach its potential as an economic driver. And she supports preparing local Hispanics for leadership. If life experience counts, Kosar checks several boxes. She has local ties, growing up in Hillsboro, graduating from Baylor University and working for KXXV-TV, Channel 25, the local ABC affiliate. She and her husband, Hunter, own a trucking company specializing in hauling aggregate. “I went to Baylor, majored in journalism with a concentration in public relations and education,” Kosar said. “Storytelling is my biggest passion. I’ve met so many incredible people and groups, I would like to highlight their businesses, let them tell their stories. The chamber is the perfect platform.”

Oncor’s group of qualified Service Providers include energy efficiency providers, retail electric providers (REPs), contractors, energy service companies and self-sponsors. ProSource Power, LLC is the approved service provider that will be assisting small businesses in the Waco/McLennan County with energy-saving lighting upgrades. ProSource Power will visit small businesses who want to participate, assess the existing lighting equipment, and explain other opportunities to save energy. Prosource Power will create a personalized plan and select the upgrades/ equipment that make the most sense for the small business and their bottom line. Once the new equipment is installed by ProSource Power, small businesses only pay approximately 30% of the cost to ProSource Power then Oncor will pay the remaining incentive directly to ProSource Power. If you are interested and ready to get started with a free, no-obligation energy assessment, please contact ProSource Power, LLC at gvickers@prosourcepower.com or (972) 369-7255. n

NEW PLANSPRESIDENTHISPANICCEN-TEXCHAMBERHASBIG

Baylor CashionCampusConference Center LEARN MORE AT WACOCHAMBER.COM/EVENTS December 8, 2022 PRESENTING SPONSORS

– 1:00

$100K OF SMALL BUSINESS LIGHTING UPGRADES AVAILABLE IN WACO, TX 11:30

Oncor Small Business Direct Install Program has allocated $100,000 of incentives to ProSource Power to support energysaving lighting upgrades for small businesses in Waco/McLennan County. The Small Business Direct Install Program provides financial incentives to Oncor small business customers located in areas outside the DFW metroplex (excludes Dallas, Tarrant, Rockwall, Denton and Collin counties). The Program will pay up to 70% of the cost to replace old equipment such as lighting, with new and more efficient equipment. The resulting projects are mutually beneficial for the companies they serve through energy cost savings, and in turn they reduce demand on the state’s electric grid. Qualifying upgrades include, lighting upgrades, refrigeration equipment.

Andrea Kosar has packed plenty into her 28 years, but admits she has much to learn as president of the Cen-Tex Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

She said small businesses owned by those whose English is limited should feel confident they have access to resources they need to succeed. n

ANDREA KOSAR a.m. p.m.

WACOCHAMBER.COM | 63

L.A.I. Communications Ribbon Cutting on February 3, 2022

On February 4, 2022, the 3rd Annual Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival launched in grand style! Dedicated to “EMPOWERING the creative spirit, SERVING with heart, and CELEBRATING all,” the 2022 Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival, produced by Chamber Member, L.A.I. Communications, held its ribbon cutting event that opened the film festival at its Second Annual Celebrity Golf Classic. For more information on the 2023 Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival, visit wacofilmfest.org.

Tyrah Lindsey-Warren, Managing Director 107 Livingstone Ct Waco, TX 76712 (908) LAICommunications.com672-6024

Shannon Speerbrecher, Owner 1411 N Valley Mills Dr Ste M Waco, TX 76710 (254) NerdsToGo.com/waco-tx730-7194

64 | SUMMER 2022

State and local officials, appellate judges, and chambers of commerce celebrated the ribbon cutting of McLennan County Court-at-Law No. 3, with Judge Ryan Luna appointed to run the Court. The Court began operating September 1, 2021 to handle McLennan County’s significant backlog of both civil and criminal cases. Judge Luna has since resolved over 1,000 cases, providing great relief to the justice system in the county. Judge Ryan Luna 4300 W Waco Dr Ste B2-260

RibbonNerdsToGoCuttingon February 25, 2022

Ribbon Cutting on February 1, 2022 Support Services Group Ribbon Cutting on February 9, 2022

NerdsToGo provides the total solution in computer and technology support for small businesses and residents. Their signature service is delivered by sending a Nerd onsite to your location, or you can visit their local service center or through remote support. NerdsToGo acts as your IT department by helping to design, implement and support IT networks, provide data backup, cybersecurity solutions, cloud services, remote support, vendor management services and routine maintenance.

RyanLunaTX.com Support Services Group provides outsourced customer care while offering an integrated support system tailored to each client’s diverse needs. From start-ups with aggressive growth trajectories to Fortune 500 companies, SSG partners with top brands to provide a complete Customer Experience Solution. This campus will serve as their global headquarters and will act as a service hub for many global clients including leading names in streaming services, subscription clubs, and telecom providers. Brandon Diaz, Human Resource Manager 300 S 13th St Waco, TX 76701 (254) SupportServicesGroup.co299-2700

RIBBON CUTTINGS Ryan Luna, Judge, McLennan County Court at Law #3

Mark Sauer, Owner 110 Franklin Ave Waco, TX 76701 (254) BittyAndBeausCoffee.com/location/waco315-9284

Lift Truck Supply is the oldest Toyota forklift dealer in Texas, being family-owned and operated since 1982. They serve Central and East Texas with four locations: Tyler, Temple, Texarkana, Mt. Pleasant, and a fifth location north of Austin coming soon. Lift Truck Supply provides end-to-end material handling solutions from industrial trucks to warehouse racking and automation systems. They are a full-service dealer offering equipment rentals, parts and service, and preventative maintenance.

Battery Joe Ribbon Cutting on March 3, 2022 Bitty & Beau’s Waco Ribbon Cutting on March 23, 2022

John Merklein, Director of Operations 1716 S Valley Mills Waco, TX 76711 (254) BatteryJoe.com870-1270 Bitty & Beau’s Coffee provides more than a cup of coffeeit’s a humans rights movement disguised as a coffee shop. Located at 110 Franklin Avenue in Waco, all of Bitty & Beau’s front-line employees are individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. They bring joy and enthusiasm to everything they do, making Bitty & Beau’s the happiest place in Waco! Come and see for yourself!

Debbie Fraysier, Marketing Director 6328 Gholson Rd Waco, TX 76705 (254) GenesisDisabilityCareProvider.com258-0920

SPONSORED BY

WACOCHAMBER.COM | 65

Scott Malstrom, Sales Manager 363 Clarence Rd Waco, TX 76501 (254) LiftTruckSupplyInc.com742-2104

Genesis Disability Care Provider Ribbon Cutting on March 2, 2022 Lift Truck Supply Ribbon Cutting on March 10, 2022

Battery Joe provides quality, same-day cell phone and tablet repairs along with batteries for everything for the Waco community. We have you covered for car, marine, powersport, lawn & garden, watch & household batteries, and more! Our Car Batteries include FREE installations and FREE testing. We even provide same day services at your location within Waco for both repair and battery services! Open 8am-7pm Monday thru Friday and 9am-6pm on Saturday.

Genesis Disability Care Provider was founded in 2017 by a passionate lady, Sharon Baker. Genesis Disability Care Provider holds a certification from Texas Department of Health and Human Services, as a provider in the Home Community Based Service Program. If you need services for an individual with a disability or need space for a special event, contact Tracy Davis, 254-412-6998 or Debbie Fraysier 254-258-0920, for an appointment to view the facilities.

Central

Ribbon

McLennan

Certified by Glenn Hegar, The Comptroller of Texas, as a Historically Underutilized Business, CTXB is a leading brokerage and consulting service customized with enrollment solutions for private and government businesses. CTXB devises innovative strategies that are proven to reduce employers’ health spending and improve the quality of their employee benefits programs and has an outstanding reputation for doing so.

Encompass

13,

McLennan Community Investment Fund (McCIF) is a nonprofit financing entity. Their mission is to provide financing for underserved small businesses in Waco, Bellmead, Lacy Lakeview, Robinson, and Beverly Hills. Their target market is business owners who are not yet eligible for traditional bank loans. Additionally, we provide business development strength to our clients. Their goal is to graduate our borrowers to be successful customers of the traditional banking system in our communities.

18,

Jane Allen, EVP 605 Austin Ave Ste A Waco, TX 76710 (254) MCCIF.org981-6823

Aaron Tucker and his team of relentless sales professionals celebrated the grand opening of the CENTURY 21, Icon office! “We look forward to leveraging everything the CENTURY 21 brand has to offer to have an even greater impact on people’s lives and the communities that we are blessed to serve,” says Tucker. CENTURY 21, Icon is rapidly growing, and plans to not only meet but exceed their goals, all while keeping their clients’ needs first and offering nothing but the gold standard of customer service! Shelli Freeman 1512 Lake Air Dr Ste 117 Waco, TX 76710 (254) IconWaco.C21.com633-2121 Community Investment Fund Cutting on April 2022 CENTURY 21, Icon Ribbon Cutting on April 21, 2022 Health Waco Cutting on April 2022 TX Benefits Cutting on May 3, 2022

Ribbon

Sarah Sandusky, Marketing 3600 S Loop 340 Robinson, TX 76706 (254) EncompassHealth.com523-2200

Ribbon

66 | SUMMER 2022 CHAMBER NEWS

Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Waco, a 40-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital, opened to patients in August 2021 and celebrated the its grand opening on April 18. It is the first hospital of its kind in the area as the only freestanding inpatient rehabilitation hospital. The hospital serves patients recovering from debilitating illnesses and injuries including strokes and other neurological disorders, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations and complex orthopedic conditions.

Devion Moore, President 4547 Lake Shore Dr Waco, TX 76710 (254) CentralTXBenefits.com722-2569

CycleBar Waco Ribbon Cutting on May 10, 2022 Casa De Castillo Ribbon Cutting on May 25, 2022

WACOCHAMBER.COM | 67

Tilt Studio is an action-packed family fun center, located in Waco’s Richland Mall! Each center is 25,000 to 100,000 square feet of indoor family fun with attractions like black light laser tag, spin and flip zone bumper cars, amusement rides, black light mini golf, laser frenzy, over 150+ arcade and video games, pinball, and virtual reality! In addition to the fun, Tilt Studio has party rooms for birthdays, group gatherings, special events, and corporate events.

Western Belle Farm Ribbon Cutting on May 16, 2022 Tilt Studio Richland Mall Ribbon Cutting on February 2, 2022

Vicky Peek 6001 W Waco Dr Waco, TX 76710 (254) tiltstudio.com492-8340

Taylor Huffman, Owner 7929 Heritage Pkwy West, TX 76691 (254) WesternBelleFarm.com447-7422

CycleBar of Waco is the premier cycle studio for community and fitness. Our 45-minute, instructor-led classes are charged with music, lights and fun! You will be able to rock your ride in a supportive energetic group setting. Our retail shop offers modern athletic wear styles and accessories. At CycleBar, you will always feel appreciated and celebrated with our appreciation events, themed rides and fundraisers. And, as always, your first ride is on us!

Cody Pierce, Owner 2324 Marketplace Dr Ste 210 Waco, TX 76711 (254) waco.cyclebar.com224-6749 Casa de Castillo celebrated its 100th anniversary with a Ribbon-Cutting hosted by both the Greater Waco and Cen-Tex Hispanic Chambers on May 25. Living the dream of continuing a legacy of what their grandfather and father Antonio Sr and Jr started is a true passion of the sibling trio of Tony III, Richard and Mary Lou. Come by and join us for the best Tex-Mex around and be a part of History. We are open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner and have a wonderful staff that would gladly serve you and make you a part of our family.

Mary Lou Castillo 4820 Sanger Ave Waco, TX 76710 (254) CasaDeCastillo.com772-8246

Western Belle is a family farm located in West, Texas, about 10 minutes north of Waco. For several weeks a year, we open our family farm to host a Sunflower & Pumpkin Festival. There are over 15+ activities for all ages including our Beeline Mini Ziplines, Cattle Drive Barrel Train, farm animals, slides, fields of sunflowers, pumpkins & much more! There are various photo ops throughout the farm to enjoy as well! Come prepared for a day of fun on the farm for the whole family!

Gabi Fit 266 FM (254)Oglesby,1996TX76561715-1018

CycleBar Waco 2324 Marketplace Dr Ste 210 Waco, TX 76711 (254) waco.cyclebar.com224-6749

HULSEY PC 812 Forest Oaks Cir Woodway, TX 76712

68 | SUMMER 2022 Alcom LLC 6401 Imperial Dr Waco, TX 76712 (503) AlcomUSA.com798-0340 Argo Investigations 208 Hewitt Dr Ste 103-317 Waco, TX 77812 (254) Argopi.com663-2746

Bombones Mexican Cuisine 123 N 12th St Waco, TX 76701 (254) BombonesCocina.com733-9321

Cybuski Financial GroupNew York Life 12201 Merit Dr, Ste 1000 Dallas, TX 75251 (214) NewYorkLife.com/agent/tcybuski587-8444

Hawaiian Bros 825 S 6th St Waco, TX 76706 (254) HawaiianBros.com723-4708

Fabled Bookshop & Cafe 215 S 4th St Waco, TX 76701 (817) FabledBookshop.com932-3094

BioLife Plasma Services 2329 Market Place Dr Waco, TX 76711 (210) BioLifePlasma.com872-6707

Fun Town RV Waco 777 Enterprise Blvd Hewitt, TX 76643 (855) FunTownRv.com/locations/waco395-1861

Home Zone Furniture 4800 Franklin Ave Waco, TX 76710 (254) waco-texasHomeZoneFurniture.com/en/locations-399-9698

Central TX Benefits 4547 Lake Shore Dr Waco, TX 76710 (254) CentralTXBenefits.com722-2569

Dave’s Hot Chicken 4017 Jack Kultgen Fwy Waco, TX DavesHotChicken.com76706

AT&T 816 Congress Ave Ste 1001 Austin, TX 78701 (512) ATT.com751-3934

(512) HulseyIPLaw.com478-9190 iCode Waco 8810 Woodway Dr Ste 402 Waco, TX 76712 (254) iCodeSchool.com/waco141236-9909 Kingsdown, Inc. 7300 Imperial Dr Waco, TX 76712 (254) Kingsdown.com751-1571 KMD Agency LLC 1227 N Valley Mills Dr Ste 208 Waco, TX north-valley-mills-driveAgents.Goosehead.com/tx/waco/1227-76710 Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP 400 Austin Ave Ste 105 Waco, TX 76701 (254) LGBS.com624-9429 Market on 8th 425 S 8th St Waco, TX 76706 (254) Facebook.com/Market-on-8th709-6681 Pete Sessions - Congressman 400 Austin Ave Ste 302 Waco, TX PeteSessions.com76701 PURE Energy 1105 Washington Ave Waco, TX 76701 (254) Pure.solar410-4104 Residences at Lake Waco, Ltd. 1550 W State Hwy 6 Waco, TX 76712 (254) ResidenceAtLakeWaco.com230-9788 Rodeo Dental & Orthodontics 5201 Bosque Blvd Ste 200 Waco, TX RodeoDentalTexas.com76710 Stoughton Trailers 1301 Jewell Dr Waco, TX 76712 (608) StoughtonTrailers.com877-8601 The Victory Employer Services, LLC 605 Austin Ave Waco, TX 76701 (254) TheVictoryES.com522-8006 The White House @ Baylor University 1801 S 8th St Waco, TX 76706 (254) Airbnb.com722-7158 Twisted Sisters Patio Bar 115 Mary Ave Ste 106 Waco, TX 76701 (816) TwistedSistersPatioBar.com832-6338 Virkim Fertilizer and Chemical 718 Sun Valley Hewitt, TX 76643 (254) Virkim.com420-2456 Waco Rowing Center 8300 Woodcreek Dr Woodway, TX 76712 (610) Facebook.com/RowWaco304-4581 Weddings by Joyful Creations 2121 W Waco Dr Ste B Waco, TX 76701 (254) WeddingsByJoyfulCreations.com498-6519 Yellow Rose Painting 7215 Bosque Blvd Ste A - #310 Waco, TX 76710 (254) YellowRosePainting.com652-3088 NEW MEMBERS PRESENTED BY SEE THE FULL MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY AT ISSUU.COM/WACOCHAMBER

P.O. Box 1220 Waco TX 76703-1220 PRSRT STD USWaco,PERMITPOSTAGEPAIDNO.30Texas