The Cisco Development Corporation reports a banner year for Cisco, Texas looking back at its last fiscal year.
Of those many to note has been the successful deal for Road Ranger USA to construct a new $8M travel center in Cisco. The business will house both a 24/7 convenience store and a Wendy's restaurant.
Between the two businesses the operation will employ more than 80 people with a mix of management, full-time and part-time positions. Additionally, the center will feature up to 80 parking spaces for semi-trucks in addition to passenger fueling.
Cisco also saw the redevelopment of one of its historic downtown buildings known as the "Webb" building located at the corner of 10th Street and Conrad Hilton Blvd. "Muddy Mikes" is set to complete construction and open in April of 2022, adding another unique dining experience to downtown Cisco.
The organization also so record inquiries and investment into downtown Cisco. With new ownership comes the added potential of new commercial investment. On this same note, two signature downtown businesses celebrated a significant milestone by fulfilling their commitments to the Cisco Development Corporation.
Waverly’s downtown coffee shop has not only transformed downtown Cisco in a way in which most rural communities can only hope for, they have created a brand that is recognized across the State. As of late 2021, Waverly’s completed repayment of their loan to the CDC for both the coffee shop and the façade improvements made to the adjacent building.
Likewise, Log Cabin Collectables also satisfactorily completed their performance agreement by repayment of their note. In 2014, the CDC sold and carried the note on the property to facilitate the placement of the business. Since that time, it has also become a signature Cisco business in the downtown area along with its associated business, The Log Cabin Guest Haus located at 600 Ave I in Cisco.
In late 2013, the CDC provided for the construction of a facility for Precision Tire on the 1400 block of Conrad Hilton Blvd. The basis of the agreement provided for regular lease payments to the CDC over a long-term period. At the election of the business, a purchase option could be exercised that would credit past lease payments towards a set purchase price of $300,000. In mid-2021, the business exercised its purchase option, closing out is contractual obligation.
Over the past decade, economic development organizations across the country have been actively engaged in workforce development efforts. With the ever-widening skills gap between education and business, efforts on behalf of cities aim to upskill those currently in the workforce. Doing so not only ensures existing businesses can continue to operate, but it also plays a crucial role in recruiting new industries as well.
In mid-2021, the CDC participated in a joint effort with Cisco College to provide supervisor training to RAM Inc, a local manufacturer for the aviation/aerospace industry. The partnership materialized from a need to help provide direct support to local, primary employers to ensure existing employers have a direct line of support from the city’s economic development program.
In response to the national shortage of truck drivers, the CDC also partnered with Cisco College to put together a Class A CDL training program in Cisco. This program would provide a fast-track course composed of classroom and driving. CDC funding provided a way for those students to take their final exam at a state approved test site. At this point the site construction is complete with next steps focused on student recruitment.