In this episode of The Building Texas Show, host Justin McKenzie sits down with Mayor Dylan Hedrick of Garland, Texas, the Cowboy Hat Capital of Texas. Mayor Hedrick shares how he moved from city council to the mayor’s seat, why listening is the most important part of leadership, and how Garland is navigating redevelopment, manufacturing growth, major bond investments, and the challenges of being a 98% built-out city.

Learn how Garland is planning its next 25 years, why a single pothole can define city government, and how the city is positioning itself for new employers, a private hospital, and transformative development at I-635 and Shiloh.

00:00 – Welcome to The Building Texas Show

00:32 – Meet Mayor Dylan Hedrick: Winning the runoff and stepping into leadership

01:17 – Why he ran for mayor after six years on city council

02:18 – Garland today: Manufacturing, hats, food culture, and a growing downtown

03:42 – Collaboration with the Chamber, Dallas College, and employers

05:31 – Workforce training and the future of blue-collar jobs

06:08 – Planning a city that is 98% built out

07:20 – Comprehensive plans, lakefront strategy, and redevelopment focus

08:03 – Garland loses its hospital — and the plan to attract a new one

09:10 – Rebuilding I-635 and unlocking new economic opportunity

10:30 – Bonds, tax base growth, and doing more with less

12:05 – How bond programs fuel redevelopment and public infrastructure

13:01 – The biggest needs: A hospital, development partners, and investment

13:59 – “Garland is open for business”: Mayor Hedrick’s call to action

14:37 – Closing thoughts and invitation to visit Garland, Texas

Garland Texas, Mayor Dylan Hedrick, Garland Cowboy Hat Capital, Garland economic development, Texas cities, Garland manufacturing, Garland hospital, Garland 635 Shiloh, Garland redevelopment, Building Texas Show, Justin McKenzie, Texas podcast, Fifth and State podcast

Developer Gilley Mendoza, founder of Gilley International, joins The Building Texas Show to discuss how intentional, community-driven development is reshaping the future of South San Antonio. From the rapid growth around Palo Alto College and Texas A&M University–San Antonio, to the expansion of Toyota, JCB, and other advanced manufacturing employers, the South Side is becoming one of Texas’ most important economic corridors.

In this episode, Gilley breaks down his development strategy, including his new 80-unit Villaret Commons project positioned directly across from Palo Alto College. He explains why “approachable housing,” workforce alignment, school quality, and smart infrastructure matter more than ever as Texas absorbs massive population growth.

If you want to understand San Antonio real estate trends, the future of South Side development, or the emerging Texas Triangle economy, this is a must-watch discussion.

Learn more:

Villaret Commons – https://villaretcommons.com

The Building Texas Show – https://buildingtexasshow.com

00:00 Introduction

00:17 Meet Developer Gilley Mendoza

00:35 How Real Estate Became a Career Path

01:40 First Development Deal and Lessons Learned

02:55 Why the South Side Is the Future of San Antonio Growth

04:22 The Impact of Palo Alto College and Texas A&M–San Antonio

05:42 Water, Infrastructure, and Development Challenges

07:25 Inside the 80-Unit Villaret Commons Project

08:32 Growing Gilley International into a Multi-Generational Brand

10:35 Community Feedback and Responsible Development

12:45 Housing Market Trends, Interest Rates, and Builder Strategy

14:47 The Coming Housing Shortage and Workforce Needs

LOCOAL is entering its breakout moment.

In this episode of The Building Texas Show, three-time guest Miles Murray, Founder & CEO of LOCOAL, returns to share the company’s major milestone: their first commercial waste-to-energy unit is now deployed just outside Houston. This marks LOCOAL’s transition from prototype to full commercial operation.

Their modular 50-foot system transforms wood waste, storm debris, and industrial byproducts into clean energy, high-purity carbon, and bio-oil—creating a new circular economy for Texas and beyond.

Whether you’re an investor, entrepreneur, municipal leader, or part of the carbon/energy sector, this episode delivers a powerful look at the future of decentralized clean-tech infrastructure.

What You’ll Learn

• How LOCOAL converts waste into energy and high-purity carbon

• Why counties, cities, and recyclers are turning to mobile waste-to-energy systems

• The explosive growth of biochar in agriculture, concrete, steel, and battery science

• U.S. Air Force–funded innovation pushing LOCOAL toward national deployment in 2026

• How LOCOAL secured $250M in LOIs and strategic investment for scaling

• Why wildfire mitigation and landfill reduction need decentralized solutions now

LOCOAL has developed a patented waste-to-energy system designed to bring clean energy generation directly to the source of waste. Their mobile modular units convert organic and rubber feedstocks into energy, bio-oil, and market-grade carbon while reducing wildfire risks and diverting waste from landfills.

Learn more: https://www.locoal.com

About The Building Texas Show

Hosted by Justin McKenzie, The Building Texas Show highlights the entrepreneurs, innovators, industries, and rural communities shaping the future of Texas.

Subscribe for more episodes on:

• Texas innovation

• Clean energy & carbon markets

• Entrepreneurship & investment

• Rural economic development

• Future of work + emerging industries

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Your support helps us spotlight the innovators building the future of Texas.

Chapters

00:00 – Intro & Welcome to Miles Murray (Third Appearance)

00:29 – The Startup Journey: Idea → Prototype → Commercial Pilot

01:16 – What LOCOAL Does: Making Landfills Obsolete

03:05 – Origin Story: Iraq, Hard Environments & Mobile Waste Solutions

04:09 – Timber Economics & Domestic Energy Demand

05:40 – Turning Waste Into Valuable Feedstock

05:51 – Customer #1: Pallet Recycling & Wood Waste

07:11 – Why Mulch...