Economic growth in Snyder: New manufacturing & revitalizing businesses

Yahoo

29-01-2025

SNYDER, Texas () – For longtime Snyder resident and Executive Director of the Development Corporation of Snyder, Barbara Leatherwood, one of the things she cherishes most about the city is its small-town charm and strong sense of community. However, in recent years, Leatherwood has observed a shift in the types of businesses choosing to establish roots in Snyder.
'We've seen a lot of growth; we've seen a lot of opportunity. We like to call it opportunity and community. We think Snyder leads the rural areas in being one of the top innovators. I believe I see that in a lot of leadership. I see the community working together,' said Leatherwood.
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Over the past two years, the Development Corporation of Snyder (DCOS), through its strategic partnerships, has contributed more than $5 million in capital investments to the Snyder community, including $2.9 million in 2024 alone. According to Leatherwood, for every $1 invested into the DCOS, the organization generates $8 in return for community impact.
'Snyder is leading the way in being the connection point and the conduit to being the one-stop shop for any business owner looking to expand or relocate to Snyder. We've had relocations in the last three years. We've had expansions in the last three years that have really just grown and started that momentum. We've had leadership changes in the city,' explained Leatherwood.
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A major factor behind this growth is the influx of manufacturing companies moving into Scurry County, drawn by the available space. These businesses have played a key role in strengthening the local economy, contributing 62 new jobs while retaining 83 existing positions in Snyder.
'Last year, we did three different projects, and one of them was Plastic Welding and Fabrications. They were a second plant location for its manufacturing, and they came up from Buda. What they're finding in Snyder, what they're seeing in Snyder, and why they chose Snyder was that we had the land that was available. The cost of doing business was better,' added Leatherwood.
In recent years, the DCOS has also collaborated with local businesses to revitalize their properties through its economic improvement initiative. This effort has invested over $300,000 back into existing businesses, which Leatherwood describes as the backbone of Snyder's community and economy.
Abbey Stephens took over ownership of the Snyder Nursery on 3706 Shady Oaks Lane in the spring of 2024. As one of Snyder's many longstanding small businesses, the nursery reflects the town's commitment to supporting local enterprises. For Stephens, choosing Snyder as the home for her business was an easy decision, thanks to the community's culture of mutual support.
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'There are several businesses in town that we have done flowerpots for outside of their business, or they just come and shop with us personally, and we shop with them personally,' Stephens explained.
As a new small business owner, Stephens is excited about the changes on the horizon for Snyder. She encourages residents to shop local and hopes to inspire those passing through to make a pit stop and experience what the town has to offer.
'One of the coolest things about Snyder is that you never really know what you're going to find,' Stephens hinted.
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