• Brazos River Corridor - The Brazos River Corridor, a geographic area designated for economic development, carves a path through the heart of Waco for more than 10 miles. It stretches from the wooded bluffs of McLennan Community College's campus on the northwest end to the sloping banks of Baylor University's campus on the southwest end and beyond. The dramatic views and geographic features provide unique opportunities for developers. Targeted for development by the city, this strategic location offers a variety of economic incentives to businesses locating in the corridor. For more information, please contact the City Manager's Office staff at (254) 750-5640.

• Waco's Downtown- Since the establishment of the Public Improvement District in 1988, more than 80 businesses have opened in the area, and the workforce has more than doubled. The general boundaries of the district emcompass about 60 blocks on the west side of the Brazos River and an area on the east side which extends up Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard along the river for the equivalent of eight city blocks and about 10 blocks down Elm Street.
  
  The public improvement district assessment of 10 cents per $100 valuation of property in the district is used only within those boundaries to provide a variety of services that increase the value and appeal of properties. Property owners enjoy enhanced city services such as extra sweeping of streets and sidewalks, as well as a private security service to monitor the area. Additional trash receptacles, benches, planters, landscaping, and litter pick up are also provided. These enhanced services help attract businesses to the district.
  
  For more information about downtown Public Improvement District No. 1 please contact the City Manager's Office staff at (254) 750-5640.

• Waco Industrial Foundation - The foundation itself is a nonprofit corporation governed by a 24-member board of volunteer directors. A history of sound financial management and attention to opportunity has resulted in a net worth of more than $10 million and the ability to offer incentives like lease-back purchase agreements and attractive short-term financing plans. The foundation cooperates with the Waco-McLennan County Economic Development Corporation to tailor incentive packages for companies in the districts. The foundation has land parcels available in districts which are ideally situated for manufacturing and for distribution. The foundation maintains an inventory of industrial green sites for build-to suit packages and represents sites owned by other parties. Building inventories generally include properties of 3,000 to 150,000 square feet. Call (254) 296-0405 for more information.

Infrastructure

Water

Water is a precious commodity; it's been called the economic fuel of the 21st century. And in Waco, we have an ample supply right in our backyard. The city's primary water source, Lake Waco, provided 31,000 acre-feet of drinking water allotment to the citizens and businesses of Waco and the surrounding communities in 2000. But that's just a fraction of the water available from the lake.

Indeed, the Waco municipal water system, with a capacity of twice the annual demand, is the envy of many cities. They city mapped out plans to raise the level of Lake Waco by seven feet in 2003, ensuring an abundant supply for many decades to come.

Waco operates two water treatment plants, which meet a higher standard than required by the state or the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Monitoring for about 90 different contaminants, the city has its own full scale laboratory. For a water quality report, check the city's web site at www.waco-texas.com

The City of Waco operates and maintains a low-water dam on the Brazos River downstream from the downtown area and from Baylor's Ferrell Center. The dam was built in 1969 to provide a town lake atmosphere throughout downtown Waco. The City is working on plans to replace the current structure with a new dam that will provide reliable service for the next 30 years.

Utilities

In the mid 1990s, TU Electric and Lone Star Gas companies - who had been Waco's main power providers for more than 80 years - merged to become TXU Electric and Gas Company. A proven leader in the energy industry, TXU is among the top 10 energy companies in the world, serving 11 million customers worldwide. TXU is a global leader in electricity and natural gas services, merchant energy trading, energy marketing, telecommunications, and other energy-related services.

As of January 1, 2002, Texas' electric industry opened to customer choice, giving businesses and individuals the power to choose their electrical provider. The "Electric Choice" program offers greater control over energy providers and should lower the price of electricity over time since Texas is one of the most attractive power markets in the country for new investment. (Forty-seven new power plants were built or planned in Texas between 1995 and 2001; that's almost one-fourth of all power plants built or planned in the nation.)

Broadband

Waco is served by two fiber-optic broadband networks, Time Warner and Grande Communications. Service by two providers is a rarity in a city the size of Waco and indicates the city's commitment to providing the infrastructure needed for leading-edge technological capabilities requiring speed and capacity. By enabling such business applications as streaming video, business-to-business portals, data storage, and videoconferencing, broadband capacity is a must for any city.