Lubbock looks for new growth

Lubbock recently landed the largest private investment in city history for a facility that will add a new product to the local economy: mozzarella.

Leprino Foods, one of the largest mozzarella producers in the world, plans a West Texas location that will employ hundreds of local people. And crucially, the investment represents progress on a key goal community leaders described to Dallas Fed President Lorie Logan on her visit—diversifying the regional economy, which has been long dominated by education, health care and agriculture, by attracting companies in high-growth industries.

With a 3.9 percent annualized employment increase, Lubbock’s growth in the past year was led by manufacturing, Dallas Fed research shows. And while one-fifth of people in the region are affiliated with Texas Tech University, community leaders are collaborating to introduce high school graduates to trade programs, an alternative for those electing not to pursue a traditional college degree.

Quality child care is critical to putting people to work, but smaller communities often lack enough professional centers. The Early Learning Centers of Lubbock offers child care in the region while providing working parents tuition assistance. Teachers and toddlers at one of the organization’s sites, the Ruby Phenix Early Learning Center, paused their playtime to visit with President Logan as she learned about one of the few options for affordable, quality child care in Lubbock.

One way the center helps with child care is by providing grants to single parents entering the workforce. Often a parent can’t get on waiting lists for child care subsidies until landing a job, leaving the parent without access to child care for a few months while starting a new job. Ruby Phenix steps into this gap with high-quality care designed to help children reach academic milestones. The organization operates five centers with plans for expansion.

Homebuilders in Lubbock are struggling to meet hot demand. Construction hiccups have delayed building projects as supply chains remain slow and skilled labor is in high demand. One leader told Logan that just getting a replacement window for an existing property can take nine months.

Housing officials told Logan during a panel discussion at Texas Tech University that they are prioritizing affordable rental housing, crucial for low-income residents in a college town. Local groups are partnering with developers to encourage more landlords to accept housing voucher assistance. Leaders said landlord reluctance has been a constant constraint on affordable housing, and they are considering new incentives to bring more onboard.