Exciting New Manufacturing Facility Coming to Georgetown
Georgetown is buzzing with excitement as an international construction company gears up to build a brand-new manufacturing facility right here in our community! The company, Ward and Burke Tunneling Inc., hails from Ireland and has plans to kick off construction on a whopping 180,000-square-foot facility at 3600 I-35 North in January 2024.
They anticipate the project will wrap up by the end of 2025, bringing with it the promise of over 50 new jobs for our residents. It’s such a thrilling development for Georgetown, which has been on a hot streak when it comes to economic growth. The projected cost of this manufacturing facility is around $15 million, according to a recent filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
A Bit About Ward and Burke
Ward and Burke has a solid track record. Founded in 2001, this company specializes in large-scale construction projects like underground infrastructure, particularly tunneling and caisson shaft work. With offices not just in Ireland but also across the United Kingdom, Canada, San Diego, and Columbus, Ohio, they are no small player in the construction game. Just in 2022, they reported revenues of a staggering €409 million (around $442 million), marking a remarkable 60% increase from the previous year!
According to Colin Irwin, a Director at Ward and Burke, the new facility will be a hub for the manufacturing and maintenance of their extensive plant and equipment fleet. “We primarily utilize specialty ‘microtunnel’ equipment for infrastructure installation in a way that minimizes disruption to the community,” Irwin shared in a recent email. This promises to be not just good news for local jobs, but also exciting from an environmental standpoint—less disruption typically means fewer headaches for our neighbors.
Why Georgetown?
So, why Georgetown? Irwin pointed out that our lovely town is situated almost equally between their facilities in Ohio and California, making it a strategic location for their operations. Not to mention, Georgetown boasts a charming character and a community-oriented vibe that companies like Ward and Burke find appealing.
Earlier this year, Ward and Burke secured a significant $62 million construction contract with Georgetown for the Berry Creek Interceptor project, which involves the installation of approximately 24,000 linear feet of wastewater pipe. Being actively involved in major infrastructure projects in our area means they are truly invested in the community’s growth.
A Growing Hub for Manufacturing
Georgetown is no stranger to industrial developments and manufacturing success stories. In recent years, the city has welcomed several major players, including GAF Energy LLC, CelLink Corp, US Farathane Corp, Hanwha Advanced Materials LLC, Austin Cutlery & Tool LLC, and ZT Systems. With our population nearing 100,000 and growing rapidly, Georgetown has solidified its status as a manufacturing hotspot in Central Texas.
As growth continues in the Greater Austin area, communities like ours will need to keep pace with essential infrastructure. Irwin remarked, “Georgetown and the greater Austin area have seen tremendous growth over the past number of years. This has resulted in towns and cities needing to install infrastructure to match the growth.”
The Road Ahead
As we look toward the future, the impending arrival of the Ward and Burke manufacturing facility seems to represent much more than just bricks and mortar. It stands as a testimony to Georgetown’s commitment to economic growth, community development, and job creation. It’s a thrilling time to be a part of Georgetown, and we can’t wait to see this new chapter unfold.
Keep an eye out for more updates as construction progresses, and let’s all welcome these new developments that will undoubtedly leave a positive mark on our community!
