Since mid-November, the city of San Marcos has announced two industrial companies are setting up shop in the city, and Greater San Marcos Partnership President Adriana Cruz said the trend does not appear to be slowing down anytime soon.

"It's picking up," Cruz said. "In the last seven weeks, we've had probably five site visits from corporations. We've responded to a request for proposal, we've been shortlisted, they're looking at the area and they actually expend the funds to fly down here, stay in a hotel, bring their executives and see for themselves."

Cruz said the city has been getting international attention too. During a recent period, the city was getting one site visit per week from companies based in Germany, Japan, Detroit and elsewhere, Cruz said.

"We've seen activity pick up in these specific industries," Cruz said. "We're not going to win them all because we can't be everything to everyone."

The city of San Marcos announced Nov. 26 that Corvac Composites, a leader in the thermoform manufacturing for the global automotive industry, would locate a new manufacturing facility in the city.

Corvac manufactures wheel arch liners, under engine covers, belly pans and underbody aero covers for use with automobiles. According to a press release following the announcement, Corvac will add 30 jobs with an average salary of $30,000 per year.

Corvac is expected to begin repurposing the 100,000-square-foot American Tire building at 2350 Clovis Barker Road in January, and the company is expected to begin operations in March.

The Greater San Marcos Partnership, a public-private entity dedicated to growing the economy in Central Texas, collaborated with the city of San Marcos and Hays County to land the company.

In a press release, Greater San Marcos Partnership Chairman Will Conley said Central Texas is an ideal fit for the company.

"San Marcos and the Greater San Marcos Region have all of the key elements that companies are looking for when considering a move or expansion," said GSMP Chairman, Will Conley. "A skilled and productive labor force, a strategic geographic location, and highway accessibility were all factors in Corvac's site selection process and San Marcos provided them with what they required. We welcome Corvac and look forward to them becoming an integral part of our regional business community."

Corvac's announcement comes less than one week after the city announced L&M Supply, a manufacturer of erosion-control products, expanded into a 40,000 square-foot facility formerly occupied by Phillips Wide-Lite at 126 Texas Avenue. The company has said it will expand its 12-person staff to include more than 20 employees.

Cruz said the city has been actively targeting companies specializing in advanced manufacturing and materials, aviation, life sciences, biomedical, clean technology and more.

"We think that diversifying our economic base and adding these high quality jobs is something that's going to help our region on the whole," Cruz said.