A 96,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art facility that will process 100,000 pounds of commercial uniform and linens annually is now open for business in Kyle.
Alsco, an international linen and uniform rental company, celebrated the grand opening Jan. 23 of its newest mixed laundry plant located on approximately nine acres along Kyle Crossing . According to a press release, Alsco will employ 160 full-time employees to support operations.
One of Alsco’s primary investments went toward funding improvements to Kyle’s wastewater treatment plant.
But for Kyle officials, Alsco’s opening goes far beyond a new business coming to town. High dollar investments made by Alsco signal the company’s willingness to support the community in a variety of ways, said Kyle Mayor Travis Mitchell.
“Thank you for putting your dollars into this community and helping us achieve the community feel we so long for,” Mitchell said.
One of Alsco’s primary investments went toward funding improvements to Kyle’s wastewater treatment plant (WWTP).
That project, estimated at $18 million, calls for the city to expand its WWTP capacity from 3.5 million gallons per day to 4 MGD. Scott Sellers, Kyle city manager, said the city has completed engineering for the WWTP upgrade.
Alsco officials contributed $200,000 to Kyle for infrastructure improvements, as well as partnered with the city for a $1 million Texas Capital Fund (TCF) grant.
Infrastructure, primarily wastewater service, was a concern for officials when Alsco inquired about a move to the city several years ago, Sellers said. Mitchell said Kyle had “significant challenges” with wastewater at that time. However, Alsco came and tried to make it a “win-win” for the company and the city, said Mitchell.
That included working with Kyle officials for the TCF grant, which covers Alsco’s impact on the wastewater treatment plant. Alsco also invested in the facility in order to reduce the impact on the environment.
According to the release, the facility utilizes water and energy-saving technologies which will allow the plant to “reuse 70 percent of its water” and meet Kyle’s wastewater standards. Jim Kearns, Alsco chief financial officer, said Sellers convinced company officials that “coming to Kyle was a good idea.”
Conversely, Kearns said Alsco convinced Kyle city staff they would be a good partner and help build their infrastructure needs.
In total, Kearns said Alsco is committed to investing more than $10 million in the facility.
Building long-term relationships with customers, employees, vendors and the community is a goal Alsco also aims for, said Kevin Steiner, Alsco Co-CEO.
In 2018, Alsco contributed funds toward the Ash Pavilion roller hockey rink, a Make-a-Wish project for a Ash Crane, an 11-year-old Kyle resident with a congenital heart condition.
Mitchell said Alsco “put their money where their mouth was” and stepped up as a community partner. Mitcell also felt the move helped to dispel community concern and animosity when new people move in.
“When they see a company like Alsco investing jobs and money into a community, and then going beyond that in helping to build the Ash Pavilion, it changes a community’s perception,” Mitchell said.
Steiner said one of Alsco’s competitive advantages is the company wants to “play fair.”
“We want to treat our employees like family and treat customers fairly,” Steiner said. “And we want to be good corporate citizens in the communities we operate.”
