A world renowned manufacturing company is expanding to Texas, which means more jobs in McLennan County.
Behlen Manufacturing Company is planning on taking over the former Smead Plant in McGregor.
The company said if things go as planned, by this time next year, more than 50-people will be hired by their company.
Flying in from their headquarters in Columbus, Nebraska, the presidents of Behlen manufacturing were given a warm Texas welcome.
"We are just truly grateful that they have selected McGregor and the Waco region to start a new Texas business," said McGregor Mayor Jim Hering.
Beginning next month, the full line of Behlen Country products will be produced in the companies new location.
"McGregor is the town that we really like because it has that agriculture root, but yet it's close enough to Waco so we know that there's a broad workforce to draw from, and a highly motivated workforce," said Behlen Country President Darren Siekman.
President Siekman said almost a third of their shipments come to farm stores and home centers here in Texas
"That's about a 900 mile trip from Nebraska, so as you can imagine having a manufacturing company here in the greater Waco area and McGregor will be a great fit," said Siekman.
The company manufactures farm and ranch equipment that includes stock tanks, dog kennels and gates.
They also supply about 4,000 retail locations like Tractor Supply and McCoy's nationwide.
"We're going to bring some jobs back into McGregor, jobs that will serve not only McGregor, but Waco as well," said Hering.
With the company taking over the old Smead Plant, the Mayor Hering said this is a win win for everyone.
"The first thing when you see when you drive in on 84 is now going to be a building back in use so its very exciting for our little old town," said Hering.
