New jobs: City confirms Westlake will expand operations here

The city of Wichita Falls announced in a press release that Westlake Pipe & Fittings will expand its existing factory here.

Westlake will build a PVC pipe plant at its existing location on Industrial Drive in north Wichita Falls.

The company announced in November 2023 it intended to add the new construction if it could obtain incentives from the city and Wichita County. At that time Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce President Ron Kitchens said the city had beat out an Arizona location to win the project.

The city's Economic Development Corporation signed off on cash assistance in the form of a forgivable loan for $750,000 to be paid off in three years, a cash-for-jobs incentive in the amount of $375,000 — which translates into $7,500 for each full-time position filled — and permit fee reimbursement in the amount of $50,000.

City councilors signed off on the deal at a Dec. 5 meeting.

Wichita County established a Reinvestment Zone and granted a 10-year property tax abatement to Westlake.

Total estimated value of the incentives is $1.085 million.

Kitchens said in November Westlake would build a 220,000 square-foot facility and hire 50 additional workers to add to its 69-person workforce. He said construction would start in the first quarter of 2024

According to the release from the city, the expansion includes the addition of a 190,0000-square-foot facility, investment in new machinery and equipment, and the addition of at least 38 new full-time employees to its current 64-employee roster. The release said construction would begin at the end of 2024.

Wichita Falls Mayor Tim Short said in the release the City Council is “happy to work with existing businesses to help them grow and innovate in our city.”

County Judge Jim Johnson called it “game changing for our community.”

Kitchens thanked all involved in the project and called the addition to the plant "the largest single investment in manufacturing in community history.”

"Thirty-eight families will now have a better future because of these community leaders," he said.

This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: New jobs: City confirms Westlake will expand operations here