Success Stories

Mission, Texas is home to some of the greatest American manufacturing success stories of the last decade.

Our ideal location along the Texas/Mexico border has allowed many major manufacturers to thrive in an environment that is friendly to business growth.

There are many reasons why so many companies are choosing to expand or relocate to Mission, Texas. Once people come to Mission for the first time, they want to stay. They immediately realize the potential of this area and the exciting economic expansion that's taking place. It's more than a beautiful place to live… it's the perfect place to do business.

See why world-class companies such as T-Mobile USA, and Hi-Tech Plastics, Inc. all took a chance on Mission.

Hi-Tech Plastics

Mission is the ideal location for Mexico-based manufacturers looking for the labor force, resources and utilities, transportation infrastructure, state-of-the-art industrial parks and positive business climate, all on the Texas-Mexico border.

In January of 2003 Hi-Tech Plastics, Inc., headquartered in Cambridge, Maryland, began operations in Mission. Hi-Tech Plastics, Inc., or HTP Rio Grande L.P., manufacturers large plastic injection molded products. By December of 2003 Hi-Tech Plastics, Inc. had thirty employees. Within five years that number is expected to grow to more than one hundred.

Hi-Tech Plastics, Inc. had three main reasons for locating in Mission. The first reason was the location. Hi-Tech moved to support Black & Decker operations in Reynosa, Mexico and to provide plastic products to other prospective customers in the Rio Grande Valley. After locating to Mission, Hi-Tech Plastics, Inc. was able to supply current customers with products promptly and cost-effectively. Hi-Tech Plastics, Inc. brings a large tonnage presence to the valley.

The second reason was the Mission Economic Development Authority was able to locate a 60,000 square foot facility in the Mission Expressway Business Park that was available to lease immediately. Although the building had a previous tenant Hi-Tech Plastics, Inc. President, Douglas D. Bennett commented "It's almost as if it were designed for us." In addition to the available building, Hi-Tech Plastics, Inc. was impressed with the aesthetics. Bennett in reference to the Mission Expressway Business Park said, "That industrial park is a very attractive one and that's the way we want our businesses to look - nice, well-maintained and landscaped." The Mission Expressway Business Park also provides easy access to Mexican industrial centers. Currently there are two international crossings in close proximity to the park. The Hidalgo Bridge is less than 15 minutes away and the Pharr-Reynosa Bridge is less than 30 minutes away. Once the Anzalduas Bridge is complete it will be located just three miles away from the park and serve as an even bigger lure to Mexico based manufacturers.

The third reason was the Economic Development team in Mission. Bennett said, "It was not that we didn't enjoy working with other communities, but Mission has a pretty aggressive economic development function in the city with professional people I enjoyed working with." In addition to the vacant facility, MEDA was also able to negotiate an exceptional incentive package for Hi-Tech Plastics, Inc.

Hi-Tech Plastics, Inc. has been valuable to the city of Mission by providing the community with high-quality jobs. In-turn Mission has been valuable to Hi-Tech Plastics, Inc. by providing them the resources they needed to succeed. What a mutually beneficial partnership for all.

T-Mobile USA

"A healthy employment base, strong local support, and outstanding level of participation from the local community college" were just a few of the reasons that prompted T-Mobile USA to open up its customer call center in Mission.

In the spring of 2003 the city of Mission received some excellent news. T-Mobile USA Inc., had just announced plans to open a 600-employee customer call center. T-Mobile USA, which is home-based in Bellevue Washington, is one of the nation's fastest growing providers of wireless voice, data and messaging services. In early May, T-Mobile USA began its operation out of a 75,000 square foot facility located at 3711 San Gabriel Road. The customer call center is one of 11 in the United States and receives only incoming calls. When one of T-Mobile's customers has a non-bill related question it is routed through one of those centers.

On November 19, 2003 T-Mobile debuted its state of the art call center and employees. It was immediately apparent that happy employees were important to the company. Beyond the free workout facility, cyber café, television lounge and on-site deli, T-Mobile provides six weeks of paid training, a starting wage of between $8.60 and $10.20, and good opportunities for job advancement. In addition the company has done its best to create a fun and relaxing environment for its employees.

But why was Mission the suitable location for this facility? Bob Fletcher, T-Mobile vice president of customer care for the eastern region, said it had to do with the "healthy employment base, strong local support, and outstanding level of participation from the local community college." The location of Mission offered many benefits to T-Mobile as well, including a bilingual workforce and the proximity to international markets. As Pat Townsend, the President/CEO of the MEDA said, "If their goal is to grow into an emerging Latin American marketplace, what better place to be located than on the Texas-Mexico border."

The benefits to Mission have been substantial too. Townsend was happy with the economical benefits. "The payroll we ultimately expected out of this facility when they grow to capacity is over 12 million dollars" he said. "Recently, there has been no company in Mission like this from a payroll standpoint." With the additional employees, an increase in development in the Sharyland area is expected. It could pave the way for retail, restaurant and service operations development.

The cities of McAllen and Mission, the Economic Development Councils for the city of McAllen and Mission and the Mission EDA all played a part in offering a tenant tax abatement and funding for job creation and completion. Mission will work hard to earn your business. Call the MEDA to see what incentives your business would qualify for.