Partnerships Power Yoakum’s New 60-Acre Industrial Park

Yoakum, Texas, is creating room for its next wave of business growth with the development of a new 60-acre industrial park. Located at the strategic intersection of U.S. Highway 77A and Farm to Market Road 3475, Industrial Park II (IP2) is already attracting interest from prospective tenants. Its location across from Yoakum’s original industrial park and airport positions it as a prime destination for growing companies.

“Our first industrial park is full and home to incredible companies like Circle Y Saddles, AA & E Leathercraft, Warfield Fabrication, and Eddy Foods, among others,” said Genora Young, economic development director for the City of Yoakum. “IP2 allows us to support more incredible companies.”

Infrastructure Creates an Immediate Opportunity

In 2023, the City of Yoakum applied for a $2.5 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to develop infrastructure on the EDC-owned property. The resulting funding has helped extend water and wastewater infrastructure to the industrial park and will now support the installation of electrical service.

“We have funds to bring three-phased power into the park and are working with GVEC to complete that now. Once we have the three-phase installed, we have a potential food processing tenant who is developing their site plan and will be ready to build right away,” said Young. “IP2 being shovel-ready was critical to attracting this long-term tenant. Without that initial work, we would not have been able to meet their timelines.”

Strong Partnerships Expand the Project’s Impact

Transforming IP2 into a shovel-ready site required close coordination among Yoakum EDC, the City of Yoakum, GVEC, and CSRS, a Westwood company. CSRS supported the project through grant writing, administration, and engineering, helping make the most of grant funds.

“They saved us $600,000 in grant money which we used to complete the water loop in the public right of way. That water loop goes to the hospital so now this project benefits everyone in Yoakum and the surrounding area.”

For Young, that broader community benefit reflects the EDC’s holistic approach to economic development.

“We have an incredible community in Yoakum and everyone works to support one another. The EDC could not have done this project without the City contributing the 20 percent grant match, and so we want to annex a part of the industrial park to ensure that they capture any retail sales tax coming from the park’s retail-facing activities. The hospital helps everyone so we saw an opportunity to support their growth and took it. Local businesses have this same mentality. Double D Ranch, for example, uses their events to raise money for local nonprofits like the Jamison Center afterschool program,” she said. “You experience a spirit of partnership and teamwork everywhere.”

A Utility Partner at the Table

Young also praised GVEC for serving as more than a utility provider throughout the development process.

“GVEC has been an incredible partner. They are doing more than providing the park’s energy - they are meeting business prospects with us, answering their questions, and making it clear that they will step up to support whatever their energy needs are,” said Young. “We have a solid team supporting Yoakum.”

Daisy Scheske Freeman, economic development director for GVEC, described GVEC's approach as proactive and partnership-driven.
“When I think about what it means to be a true partner instead of just a utility, it comes down to relationships and trust. We want to be at the table early, understanding what a community and its businesses need to succeed, and showing up consistently to support that growth. That's really at the heart of what we mean when we talk about delivering more for the people we serve.”

She added, “Genora and I go back to Gonzales, where she served as EDC director and I was leading the Chamber of Commerce. We've stayed connected ever since, and I'm glad to see her leading economic development in Yoakum. It's great to be able to work alongside her again on a project like this, and GVEC is proud to stand alongside her and the entire community as they grow.”

Connecting Business Growth to Yoakum’s Talent Pipeline

That same spirit of collaboration extends beyond industrial development. Texas A&M Victoria recently selected Yoakum as the site for its Texas Rural Education Collaboration, or Cradle to Career, program. Through the initiative, Texas A&M Victoria will work with Yoakum ISD, private schools, and industry leaders to introduce students to career pathways earlier and help them understand the opportunities available in Yoakum, whether they pursue trade school or college.

“We have a considerable number of students who want to remain in Yoakum and this collaboration will make it easier for them to see what is possible in their hometown,” said Young. “I am really impressed by Yoakum’s students and how much they love this community. By showing students how they can stay local, our legacy industries and new companies will have a stronger talent pipeline. After all, they have chosen to locate and stay in Yoakum and we are thankful for that.”

Together, Yoakum’s investments in sites, infrastructure, partnerships, and people are positioning the community for vibrant, sustainable growth well into the future.

Visit https://www.experienceguadalupevalley.com/ for more information on the industrial park or GVEC.