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Seguin, Texas, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Central Texas, has been making waves in the economic development scene with its strategic location and forward-thinking approach.
The Seguin Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) has been instrumental in showcasing the city's numerous location advantages, attracting businesses and talents from across the nation.
In an exclusive interview with Josh Schneuker, the Executive Director of the SEDC, we delve into the key factors that make Seguin an economic powerhouse and explore the vision for its future growth.
A Strategic Location That Drives Success
At the core of Seguin's economic prowess lies its strategic location. Situated along Interstate 10, the city is just 35 minutes away from downtown San Antonio and about an hour away from downtown Austin. As Austin and San Antonio converge into a booming metropolitan area, Seguin is perfectly positioned to tap into this growth and benefit from the expanding population.
"Our location is our number one asset. We're right in the middle of one of the fastest-growing areas in the state of Texas and the United States. The proximity to two major cities allows businesses here to access a growing workforce and take advantage of key logistical infrastructure," explains Josh Schneuker.
Furthermore, Seguin's advantageous location grants easy access to vital logistical hubs. The city is approximately two and a half hours away from the Port of Houston, a crucial deep-sea port, and about the same distance from the US-Mexico border.
This accessibility facilitates businesses in accessing a growing labor market, receiving raw materials, manufacturing products, and distributing them worldwide.
A Rich Historical Heritage and a Thriving Manufacturing Cluster
Beyond its strategic location, Seguin boasts a rich historical heritage, dating back to its incorporation in 1838, shortly after the Texas Revolution. With its deep historical roots and significant contributions to the state's history, Seguin stands as one of the most historic and oldest cities in Texas.
Additionally, Seguin is home to one of the strongest clusters of manufacturing employment in the region, with nearly 7,000 individuals employed in this sector. For a community of its size, this concentration of manufacturing employment is impressive, comprising about one in three jobs within the region.
"Our manufacturing workforce is a key advantage for us. Companies are drawn to Seguin because of our skilled labor pool, making it an attractive location for them to expand and thrive," says Schneuker.
Recent Successes and a Vision for the Future
The Seguin EDC has been achieving remarkable successes in recent times, attracting notable companies to the region. Notable wins include Teijin Automotive Technologies, a supplier to Toyota, United Alloy, a major Caterpillar supplier, Maruichi Stainless Tube, a manufacturer for the semiconductor industry, and Premium Waters, a water bottling company.
"We've been fortunate to have several major project wins in recent times, and our success is a testament to the collaborative efforts of our team and stakeholders in the community," Schneuker proudly states.
Looking ahead, the SEDC is embarking on a strategic planning process to shape the city's future. The goal is to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, and develop a three to five-year plan to guide the community's growth and development.
Strengthening the talent pipeline, addressing socio-economic challenges, and focusing on targeted industries will be critical to Seguin's continued success.
Innovative Marketing Efforts Pave the Way
Seguin's innovative marketing approach has been instrumental in showcasing its location advantages to target audiences. The SEDC employs a diversified marketing strategy that includes email marketing, social media, geofencing, and in-person engagement to reach site selectors, commercial real estate brokers, and developers.
The SEDC’s innovative approach to marketing including integrating Localintel’s award-winning data visualizations throughout their website to showcase the city’s location advantages and increase online engagement.
"We believe in embracing technology to work smarter. Localintel's plug-and-play tools have been invaluable in streamlining our marketing efforts and providing up-to-date data to potential investors and developers," Schneuker remarks.
A Thriving Economic Hub with a Bright Future
As Seguin continues to capitalize on its location advantages and foster economic growth, the city's future is bright. With a committed team at the Seguin EDC and a strategic plan in place, Seguin is poised to emerge as a dynamic economic hub in Central Texas, attracting businesses, talents, and investments, and solidifying its position as a city with a rich historical heritage and a thriving manufacturing sector.
