A Decade of CEED, Manufacturing Momentum for Mission

Mission Economic Development Corporation marked the 10th anniversary of its Center for Education and Economic Development on October 12, highlighting a decade of workforce training, entrepreneurship, and community partnerships. Opened in 2016, the CEED was created to bring education and business development together—a mission that remains relevant as the city attracts new industrial investment and supports expanding manufacturers.

The milestone arrives during a year of manufacturing announcements spanning aluminum production, precision metal components, industrial coatings, and assembly operations. Official Mission EDC releases document investments by ZERLUMA, Stanley Black& Decker, Bettcher Manufacturing, and Ecoat.us, illustrating progress in both recruiting new industry and retaining established employers.

ZERLUMA Adds Aluminum Manufacturing Capacity

One of the largest projects is ZERLUMA’s $50 million aluminum recycling and manufacturing facility, which broke ground July 28 in partnership with the City of Mission and Mission EDC.

The nearly 98,000-square-foot facility at 300 Trinity Street will produce recycled aluminum billets for North American customers. Mission EDC reported that the project is expected to create approximately 70 permanent manufacturing jobs and generate an estimated $120 million in annual economic impact once operational.

Formerly known as Century Recycling, ZERLUMA evaluated locations across Texas and the United States before selecting Mission. According to the official announcement, company leadership cited international trade access, location, the business environment and cooperation with economic development partners as deciding factors.

The project brings a new production operation to Mission while expanding the domestic supply ofrecycled aluminum. Its groundbreaking represents a concrete step toward adding industrial capacity; the jobs and economic impact remain projected outcomes.

Established Manufacturers Choose to Expand

Mission EDC’s business retention efforts also produced an announced expansion by Stanley Black & Decker. The company plans to invest more than $4 million in its Mission facility, adding plastic injection molding, an assembly line, equipment upgrades and workforce training.

Announced in April and scheduled to begin in October 2026, the project calls for 88 new permanent,full-time positions and the retention of 150 existing jobs. Mission EDC reported that the company evaluated other locations before choosing to expand locally.

“This is a truebusiness retention and expansion project,” said Stephanie Mendiola, Mission EDC’s business development director, in the announcement.

The facility, which opened in Mission in 2017, supplies international markets, including Europe. Its expansion would deepen the city’s participation in a global manufacturing network while preserving an established employment base.

Precision Manufacturing Strengthens the Supplier Base

Bettcher Manufacturing announced a $3 million expansion in May, with three additional manufacturing lines and an initial 50 new jobs planned for its Mission operation.

The company’s 60,000-square-foot facility in the Business Park at Trinity supports a business whose capabilities include metal stamping, CNC machining, fabrication and finishing. Its customers operate in industries such as commercial trucking, HVAC, refrigeration, appliances and energy.

The expansion includes moving a portion of production from Reynosa to Mission. It follows the installation of a powder-coating line in 2025, which Mission EDC reported improved finishing capabilities, quality control and lead times.

For South Texas industry, the significance extends beyond the individual investment: additional component production and finishing capacity can strengthen the regional supplier base serving multiple manufacturing sectors.

Industrial Coatings Bring Further Investment

In September, Mission EDC announced Ecoat.us’ $6 million expansion, with plans to create 45 jobs averaging $19 per hour while retaining 80 existing positions.

The company provides specialized coatings designed to improve equipment and component durability. Its customers include industrial businesses, the oil and gas sector and the U.S. Department of Defense.

Mission EDC said its team worked closely with Ecoat.us throughout the expansion process. The project adds another example of its work with existing employers to increase local capacity and encourage reinvestment.

Connecting Business Growth With Local Opportunity

The CEED anniversary provides a broader frame for these industrial developments. In its commemorative post, Mission EDC emphasized the center’s continuing role in workforce training, small business development and partnerships.

That effort also includes preparing young residents for employment. Mission EDC reported that the inaugural Mission Ready program provided 13 students with six weeks of paidwork experience during summer 2026. Developed with the Mission Education Development Council, the program connected students with local employers across several sectors.

Taken together, the CEED milestone and the manufacturing announcements show the complementary parts of Mission’s economic development work: building business relationships, supporting local talent and helping companies establish or expand production. As these projects advance, Mission has an opportunity to turn continued industrial investment into a larger manufacturing base and more career opportunities for South Texas residents.