ODC TRAILBLAZERS CAMPAIGN HIGHLIGHTS PARTNERSHIPS POWERING ODESSA’S GROWTH

New initiative recognizes local visionaries and the investments helping businesses and organizations expand in Odessa

Editor’s note: See the campaign video here.

ODESSA, Texas — Big ideas can create big opportunities, especially when they have the right support behind them.

The Odessa Development Corporation is highlighting the power of partnership with the launch of Trailblazers, a new initiative recognizing local leaders whose vision, investment and collaboration with ODC have helped create jobs, expand operations and strengthen Odessa’s economy.

“You have seen them around town. You may work with them, go to church with them or volunteer alongside them. They are the women and men helping drive our economy, the movers, changemakers and pathfinders leading the way in Odessa,” Director of Development Tom Manskey said. “We launched Trailblazers to recognize their efforts, but also to show other businesses what is possible when a great idea and a strong business plan are paired with the right resources and partnerships.”

The inaugural Trailblazers are Libby Stephens, CEO of the West Texas Food Bank; Blake Miller, President and CEO of Standard Industrial; and Nick Fowler, CEO and Co-Owner of REXtac.

Together, their stories demonstrate how strategic ODC funding can help leverage significant private and organizational investment. The three projects represent $6.9 million in ODC investment paired with $37.5 million in investment from the organizations, supporting more than 230 jobs and millions of dollars in annual payroll.

“These leaders had big ideas and a vision for what was possible,” Manksey said. “ODC believed in their plans and partnered with them through grants and incentives that helped move those plans forward. These are exactly the kinds of partnerships we want to build — partnerships that encourage investment, create jobs and generate long-term economic benefits for Odessa.”

The Trailblazers campaign gives the community a closer look at those partnerships and the people behind them. At Only-Odessa.com, visitors can watch video testimonials from the Trailblazers, see photos, explore their projects and learn more about how ODC support helped turn plans for growth into reality.

The Economic Development office has also expanded its development team with specialists focused on Workforce Development and Business Retention and Expansion, providing additional resources to help existing Odessa businesses grow and new businesses invest in the community.

Jorge Payen, Business Retention & Expansion Specialist, said those resources are available to businesses at many stages of growth.

“The Odessa Development Corporation and the Odessa Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Department are here to help,” Payen said. “Whether a company is considering an expansion, adding jobs or making a new investment, we can help connect them with funding incentives, permitting assistance, available sites and facilities, workforce development resources and more.”

“We want to find the next Trailblazers,” Manskey said. “We believe in business and we believe in a strong Odessa. If you have a vision for growing your business here, we want you to reach out and find out how we may be able to help.”

To meet the Trailblazers, watch their video testimonials, see photos from their projects and learn more about partnering with ODC, visit the Trailblazers page.

MEET THE TRAILBLAZERS

Libby Stephens | West Texas Food Bank

ODC investment helped support development of a 100,000-square-foot regional campus

The West Texas Food Bank had a vision for a larger regional campus that would dramatically expand its ability to serve West Texas. ODC partnered with the organization with a $1 million investment, helping support a project that ultimately represented $16 million in investment by the West Texas Food Bank.

The partnership also made history: West Texas Food Bank became the first food bank in the country to receive economic development funds, helping create a funding model for food banks across the United States.

Today, its 100,000-square-foot regional distribution center serves 85,000 people each year, distributing millions of pounds of food across 19 West Texas counties.

Jobs: 110
Payroll: $5.4 million
West Texas Food Bank investment: $16 million
ODC investment: $1 million

Blake Miller | Standard Industrial

ODC investment helped an Odessa company build new manufacturing capabilities and add jobs

Founded in 1979, Standard Industrial Manufacturing specializes in fluid-end expendables for plunger pumps and centrifugal pumps. When company leaders wanted to expand their manufacturing footprint, they chose to make that investment here in the Permian Basin.

ODC partnered with Standard Industrial with $900,500 in funding, supporting a project that included $2.5 million in company investment.

“The main driver for us seeking funding from the ODC was that we wanted to expand our manufacturing footprint where we previously didn’t have manufacturing, and we wanted to do it here in the Basin,” President and CEO Blake Miller said. “Additionally, we wanted to increase our sales presence.”

The company went from having no manufacturing capability to purchasing seven CNC machines and several manual cutting machines, while expanding its existing product line. Standard Industrial has also grown from eight employees to 23.

Jobs: 23
Payroll: $1.5 million
Standard Industrial investment: $2.5 million
ODC investment: $900,500

Nick Fowler | REXtac

ODC partnership helped preserve an Odessa industrial facility and create a new future for the plant

When the former Flint Hills petrochemical plant faced closure, Nick Fowler saw an opportunity to preserve an important industrial asset and put it back to work.

ODC partnered with Fowler and REXtac with a $5 million investment, helping support a project that ultimately included $19 million in investment from REXtac.

Today, REXtac manufactures amorphous poly alpha olefin (APAO) adhesives and sealant solutions in Odessa for customers around the world. Its polymers are used in products ranging from packaging and furniture to construction materials and wire and cable applications.

Fowler credits ODC’s partnership with helping make the company possible and keeping polymer manufacturing in Odessa.

Jobs: 101
Payroll: $7.6 million
REXtac investment: $19 million
ODC investment: $5 million

ABOUT THE ODESSA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

The Odessa Development Corporation works in partnership with businesses and organizations to encourage investment, create and retain jobs, expand Odessa’s economic base and support long-term economic growth. Businesses interested in expanding, investing or learning more about available resources can visit Only-Odessa.com.