Midland Development Corporation

06/19/2026

📈 Midland continues to stand out as a place where businesses can thrive!

According to CoworkingCafe's 2026 rankings, Midland was named the #3 Best Small Metro Area for Small Businesses in the United States.

Why Midland?

✔️ 14,638 small businesses per 100,000 residents, ranking #4
✔️ 68.6% GDP growth, ranking #1 among small metros
✔️ 69.8% labor force participation rate, ranking #5
✔️ 2.4% unemployment rate

These numbers reflect what we see every day: a strong economy, a talented workforce, and entrepreneurs who continue to invest in Midland's future!

Read the article for more: https://www.coworkingcafe.com/blog/best-metro-areas-for-small-businesses/

06/17/2026

A great milestone for Midland’s growing aerospace industry! 🚀AST SpaceMobile announced the successful orbital launch of BlueBirds 8, 9, and 10.

These satellites were manufactured right here in Midland. Congratulations to the AST SpaceMobile team on this successful launch and another achievement for Midland-made technology! 🛰️

06/17/2026

A great milestone for Midland’s growing aerospace industry! 🚀

These satellites were manufactured right here in Midland. Congratulations to the AST SpaceMobile team on this successful launch and another achievement for Midland-made technology! 🛰️

AST SpaceMobile

AST SpaceMobile Announces Successful Orbital Launch of BlueBirds 8, 9, and 10

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260617420856/en/AST-SpaceMobile-Announces-Successful-Orbital-Launch-of-BlueBirds-8-9-and-10

06/17/2026

The Midland Development Corporation was proud to partner with the City of Midland, UTPB, and the Space Force Association to host the Midland Space Economy Workshop.

The workshop brought together industry leaders from across the aerospace, defense, manufacturing, and education sectors, including AST SpaceMobile, Intuitive Machines, Terraspace, the Texas Space Commission, the Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center, the Experimental Sounding Rocket Association (ESRA), and UTPB’s Rocketry Team.

Midland is positioned to support innovation, manufacturing, and the future of aerospace in West Texas. Thank you to all the speakers, partners, and attendees who joined us as we explored the opportunities shaping the future of the space economy in Midland! 🌌🚀

06/16/2026

The International Rocket Engineering competition has kicked off at the Midland County Horseshoe! We are proud to see that the UTPB Falcon Aeronautics & Space Team are competing for the first time.

This competition brings together student rocketry teams, engineers, and aerospace innovators. Each year, ESRA accepts over 150 collegiate teams to design, build, test, and launch high-powered rockets from June 17-19 west of Midland! 🚀

06/11/2026

Today, MDC was proud to attend the groundbreaking of the Midland Veterinary & Surgical Diagnostic Hospital. This 8,000 sq. ft. facility will expand access to advanced veterinary and diagnostic services in our community. 🩺

This exciting project will create 32 full-time jobs, including five veterinarians. The hospital is employee owned and will help meet the needs of the Permian Basin community while supporting job creation and growth.

We look forward to seeing this facility come to life!

06/10/2026

The Midland Development Corporation is saddened to share the loss of Douglas “Doug” Henson, whose leadership and dedication played an important role in the organization’s history and in the growth of our community.

Doug served as one of MDC’s founding Board Members and later returned to the Board of Directors from 2007 to 2011. During that time, he also served as Board Chairman from 2008 to 2009. His steady leadership, forward-thinking perspective, and commitment to Midland helped guide the organization through key moments in its development.

His contributions helped shape the direction of MDC and left a lasting impact that continues to benefit our community today.

We are grateful for Doug’s service, vision, and the example he set through his commitment to Midland. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with his family, friends, and all those whose lives he touched.

https://npwelch.com/obituary/douglas-boyd-henson/?fbclid=IwdGRjcASVNUxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeYP5VR-fdLE7Zt3cPOI5CI0jj6l7JDPCMAIYdO2ekQ0KCvThu8LeGrijSxsU_aem_c5HuMgEWoN_27PI1l-7X8g

On June 6, 2026, we said goodbye to Douglas (Doug) Henson after years of battling Parkinson’s. He filled our lives as a beloved, devoted husband, father, grandfather, as well as a kind and loyal friend. Known and remembered for always being a man of honor, integrity and doing what was right and fa...

06/09/2026

MDC had the opportunity to attend the 2nd Annual Permian Power Conference over the past two days!

It was a great experience learning more about power generation, the role of natural gas in supporting the Permian Basin, and ongoing efforts to strengthen the Texas power grid.

06/04/2026

MDC is excited to attend the International Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC) June 15–20 at the Midland County Horseshoe! 🚀

Hosted by ESRA, IREC brings together more than 150 collegiate rocketry teams from around the world to design, build, test, and launch high-powered rockets in one of the premier aerospace competitions.

Registration is still open, so don't miss your chance to be part of this incredible event. 🌌

Spectator registration is open & FREE!
⭐midlandhorseshoe.com/irec