The West Central Texas Economic Development District (WCTEDD) was established in September, 1990 as a state-chartered non-profit corporation, to respond to severe economic challenges. The designated region encompasses the 17,914 square mile. “Big Country” region; including Brown, Callahan, Coleman, Comanche, Eastland, Fisher, Haskell, Jones, Kent, Knox, Mitchell, Nolan, Runnels, Scurry, Shackelford, Stephens, Stonewall, Taylor and Throckmorton counties, as well as the cities and special purpose districts within these counties. The WCTEDD is open to all city and county governments, Chamber of Commerce representatives, local Economic Development Corporation personnel, education specialists, media personnel, Workforce and Labor representatives, Economic Development Professors, Tourism professionals, and business leaders.
Historically, the WCTEDD goals were designed to identify common regional problems and collaborative, synergetic stimuli and solutions. Specifically, original goals focused on:
In that effort, the District has assisted in the completion of key projects including the West Central Brazos River Basin Regional Water Treatment and Distribution Facility Plan which added infrastructure to the Stephens County Rural Water Supply Corporation.
The WCTEDD has proactively recognized that the historical efforts of the Economic Development Districts provide a solid foundation to expand the District’s role in this new millennium. West Central Texas has very affordable business and living costs, excellent school districts, low crime rates and other factors that contribute to a high quality of life. Recent national economic downturns are now felt in the region with increased unemployment and business and manufacturing closure. The ability of the West Central Texas region to adapt to new economies has been proven repeatedly; the oil “boom and bust” in past decades, expansion of new sustainable energies, and the expansion in health care services, all reflect the spirit of the region and the commitment to survive challenges and prosper. The counties in the east and southern area of the region have begun to benefit from expansion from the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex. Land values over the past few years have benefitted from the urban expansion as the exceptional quality of life and recreational opportunities nudged urbanites westward.
Indeed, the region is noted for the cooperative spirit of its people and leaders, the strength of community leadership, the team approach at work and an incredibly strong work ethic. It is this drive that will promote entrepreneurship, innovative business development and other efforts that will propel the region past recent economic downturns. The WCTEDD is working to capitalize on this industrious spirit and evolve to provide additional and innovative services to the elected officials, education leaders, economic development corporations, chambers of commerce, tourism agencies and others.
Historically, the WCTEDD goals were designed to identify common regional problems and collaborative, synergetic stimuli and solutions. Specifically, original goals focused on:
- Procuring new business interests to the region,
- Assisting member governments with applications and technical assistance with job creation projects,
- Developing and maintaining an effective, proactive regional economic development program, and
- Strengthening and diversifying the business and agricultural sectors of the regional economy.
In that effort, the District has assisted in the completion of key projects including the West Central Brazos River Basin Regional Water Treatment and Distribution Facility Plan which added infrastructure to the Stephens County Rural Water Supply Corporation.
The WCTEDD has proactively recognized that the historical efforts of the Economic Development Districts provide a solid foundation to expand the District’s role in this new millennium. West Central Texas has very affordable business and living costs, excellent school districts, low crime rates and other factors that contribute to a high quality of life. Recent national economic downturns are now felt in the region with increased unemployment and business and manufacturing closure. The ability of the West Central Texas region to adapt to new economies has been proven repeatedly; the oil “boom and bust” in past decades, expansion of new sustainable energies, and the expansion in health care services, all reflect the spirit of the region and the commitment to survive challenges and prosper. The counties in the east and southern area of the region have begun to benefit from expansion from the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex. Land values over the past few years have benefitted from the urban expansion as the exceptional quality of life and recreational opportunities nudged urbanites westward.
Indeed, the region is noted for the cooperative spirit of its people and leaders, the strength of community leadership, the team approach at work and an incredibly strong work ethic. It is this drive that will promote entrepreneurship, innovative business development and other efforts that will propel the region past recent economic downturns. The WCTEDD is working to capitalize on this industrious spirit and evolve to provide additional and innovative services to the elected officials, education leaders, economic development corporations, chambers of commerce, tourism agencies and others.