Lockhart's Quiet Manufacturing Boom: Local Expansions & Regional Wins

In a recent episode of Is This Texas Town Quietly Winning the Manufacturing Race?, host Justin McKenzie sits down with Holly Malish, Director of Economic Development for the Lockhart Economic Development Corporation, to discuss the food manufacturers, local expansions, and regional partnerships driving Lockhart’s economic growth. Malish, who assumed the role in 2024, highlights several key projects: Ziegenfelder and RealCold, both announced before her arrival, are now in the “fleshing out” phase, creating jobs. Hill Country Foodworks expanded into a new building and secured a second incentive for an onion slicing machine. Mill Scale, a local metalworking business, is another expansion win, and a Titan-owned site has hosted multiple project tours. Malish emphasizes that most recent wins come from local companies expanding, which also serves as a compelling story for prospective businesses.

Lockhart’s appeal extends beyond manufacturing. As a Film Friendly Texas certified community—highlighted by the Texas Film Commission for HBO’s The Leftovers—and a Music Friendly Texas certified community, the city signals its willingness to collaborate with productions, easing film shoots and boosting local catering. Regional cooperation is also pivotal: Malish notes a shift from siloed thinking to shared strategies, where a win for nearby Buda or other communities still benefits Lockhart’s workforce and schools. “A win for the region is really a win for me and the city,” she says, citing joint job fairs and referrals based on strengths. Workforce development further strengthens the ecosystem, with programs like a Tesla manufacturing development initiative through the Boys & Girls Club that provides paid training at Austin Community College and a path to Tesla interviews. Malish’s own journey—from aircraft parts manufacturing to chambers of commerce—underscores her sales and marketing approach to economic development.

For the full conversation, watch the episode on The Building Texas Show episode page or on YouTube. The Building Texas Show, hosted by Justin McKenzie, tells the stories of the founders, community leaders, and projects shaping Texas, with new episodes weekly on YouTube and all major podcast platforms.