While celebrating their 40^th anniversary, Sunrider opened its 600,000 SF health and wellness manufacturing facility on September 21, 2022; and is the first company in the Midlothian Business Park. Sunrider was founded in 1982 by Drs. Tei-Fu and Oi-Lin Chen and their five children hold executive positions within the company or on the Board of Directors.

In September 2020, Sunrider secured a building permit and purchased 87 acres in Midlothian Business Park. Sunrider will employ over 200 employees. Adjacent to their manufacturing facility is a 500,000 SF speculative building that will be leased until manufacturing operations need to be expanded.

Sunrider continues to be an integral part of Midlothian. Sunrider started as a small business and over the last 40 years has continued to grow tremendously. Midlothian Economic Development is excited to see the company grow and be a part of its future.

View Sunrider’s Press Release here. Learn more about Sunrider. 

Students at either Midlothian or Midlothian Heritage High Schools, interested in attending dual-credit technical programs may now receive support to offset the majority of the cost, thanks to a partnership between Texas State Technical College (TSTC), Midlothian Independent School District (MISD), and Midlothian Economic Development Corporation (MED).

 

Beginning in the fall of 2022, dual-credit courses in Diesel Technology, HVAC Technology, and Industrial Systems are being offered at TSTC’s North Texas campus located in Red Oak. Through the program, high school students will take one course per semester during their junior or senior years. After high school graduation, students will transition to TSTC full time where they can earn a certificate in the field of study in two semesters or an Associate of Applied Science degree in three semesters. Upon graduation, students will be positioned for some of the highest demand and better paying jobs in our region.

 

While students are required to pay their tuition, MISD pays for the facility, instruction, and transportation. Through a $140,000 grant provided by the MED and approved by Midlothian City Council, the first 30 students for each program will receive a free tool kit for the applicable program.  Not only will these tools help students while attending TSTC, but as graduates, they also will be able to enter the workforce with the tools provided, rendering them more desirable job candidates. Tool kits range in cost from $710 to $2,700.

 

“New industrial development in Midlothian has prompted a growing need for a technical workforce,” said David Hurst, MED board chair.  “MED was created by Midlothian voters to grow our local economy. Helping to fund job training is one of the ways we can do that,” he explained.

 

“Midlothian ISD is excited about this partnership,” commented MISD Superintendent Dr. Jo Ann Fey. “It provides opportunities for learning that go beyond traditional classrooms!”

 

For more information, visit the following links: TSTC North Texas & Midlothian ISD partnership program information Diesel Equipment Technology, HVAC Technology, and Industrial Systems.  

Midlothian is experiencing the largest wave of industrial development in its history.  As of June 2022, there is over 2.4 million square feet of new industrial space under construction with an additional 2.8 million square feet that is planned to begin by the end of the year. Beyond the current activity, multiple sites are being prepared for future build-to-suit users as large as 1.3 million square feet.

The new industrial space includes buildings for new companies, such as Sunrider Manufacturing and SunOpta, and speculative space that will be available for lease.  The speculative space includes buildings ranging in size from 100,000 square feet to over 550,000 square feet and will be able to accommodate users as small as 25,000 square feet.  The new industrial space is being built by Logistics Property Company, Provident Realty Advisors, Arco Ventures, Hillwood, and KBC Advisors.

Midlothian’s proximity to Dallas and Fort Worth makes the industrial corridor along US Highway 67 in Midlothian an attractive location for relocation and expansion. Midlothian is located south of Interstate 20 between Interstate 35W and 35E along US Highway 287 and 67. US Highway 67 offers direct access to Dallas 25-minutes away while US Highway 287 offers easy access to Fort Worth in 30-minutes. State Highway 360 offers quick access to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.

Within a 30-minute drive of Midlothian is a labor force of over 1 million people who live in Arlington, Grand Prairie, Mansfield, Cedar Hill, Waxahachie, Cleburne, and surrounding areas.  The populations within Midlothian’s 30-minute labor shed include high concentrations of workers with key competencies for production, maintenance, and business support services. 

For more information on the new industrial developments and available properties, visit our available properties

Through the implementation of the plan, the MED will build upon the City’s recent economic development highlights which have resulted in major businesses moving to Midlothian, the creation of new jobs, and diversification of our property tax base. Recent economic development highlights include Google’s $600 million data center which is now operational, the Methodist Midlothian Medical Center that opened late last year, and the groundbreakings for Sunrider Manufacturing and Vision Engineering at the Midlothian Business Park.

The MED was created by Midlothian voters to grow our local economy. We encourage all residents and local businesses to get involved and share your ideas and “Make great things with us”. Please reach out to MED staff at 972-723-3800 to share your thoughts about growing our local economy.

Read the report here: MED Strategic Plan

Midlothian Economic Development (“MED”) recently completed its “Five Year Focus on Projects” strategic plan. The plan creates a vision and future direction for the MED that focuses on authorized projects for Type A economic development corporations. As part of the plan, the MED identified a list of qualities and attributes that gives Midlothian its unique character. This list will be used as the MED pursues future projects to ensure that Midlothian preserves its character. The plan focuses on four major categories, (1) attracting companies that export products or services, (2) funding new infrastructure that helps to promote new or expanded business activity, (3) funding job training, and (4) promoting the Midlothian Higher Education Center and other educational opportunities.

Through the implementation of the plan, the MED will build upon the City’s recent economic development highlights which have resulted in major businesses moving to Midlothian, the creation of new jobs, and diversification of our property tax base. Recent economic development highlights include Google’s $600 million data center which is now operational, the Methodist Midlothian Medical Center that opened late last year, and the groundbreakings for Sunrider Manufacturing and Vision Engineering at the Midlothian Business Park.

The MED was created by Midlothian voters to grow our local economy. We encourage all residents and local businesses to get involved and share your ideas and “Make great things with us”. Please reach out to MED staff at 972-723-3800 to share your thoughts about growing our local economy.

Read the report here: MED Strategic Plan