Katerra Construction Moves San Marcos Facility To Whisper Development

Staff Reports

Katerra has moved the location of its San Marcos facility out of the San Marcos Air, Rail and Truck Terminal.

Once intending to be the anchor tenant of the industrial rail park, Katerra Construction LLC has moved its facility to the proposed Whisper Development located at Yarington Road and Harris Hill.

The Hays County Commissioners Court unanimously authorized the County Judge to execute a 381 Economic Development Incentive agreement with the company on Tuesday.

The SMART Terminal was annexed into the San Marcos City Limits; the property where it is located sits in Caldwell County.

Katerra had a 381 Economic Development Incentive Agreement with Caldwell County; however, the change in location of its facility moved it into Hays County requiring a new agreement, according to John Ellis, Vice President of Marketing & Communication for the Greater San Marcos Partnership.

Hays County Judge, Ruben Becerra, said this was only one step in process that the company is working on with the City of San Marcos, but the county was happy to be in support of the effort.

Matthew Ryan, head of manufacturing and logistics for Katerra, thanked the Commissioners for their support.

“We’re really excited to be bringing this facility to the county and to the city,” Ryan said. “We’ve just opened a similar facility in Northern California, so we’re really excited with the job growth and the investment…”

According to Ryan, the mix of lumber and steel the company was projecting to inbound transport for production has changed; the new balance of inbound transported materials allows the company more flexibility in how those materials are brought in.

Commissioner Debbie Gonzalez-Ingalsbe said the Hays County Commissioners have worked well with Caldwell County and that the Caldwell County Commissioners understood the reason for the change.

“Your decision to stay in the region is very important, and thank [Katerra] so much for that,” Ingalsbe said.

Hays County is projected to generate nearly $2 million in new tax revenue and will be required to hire at least 542 employees over the next 10 years to receive tax rebates.

Katerra will use its San Marcos facility to manufacture components for building houses including wall panels, roof trusses, countertops and windows.

Related Coverage: 

• San Marcos Planning And Zoning Approves Qualified Watershed Protection Plan, Final Plat For Katerra

• San Marcos City Council Approves SMART Terminal Project

• San Marcos City Council To Consider Economic Development Incentive Agreement With Katerra, Inc.