Mike Copeland: HomeGoods opening date; Falls County Solar Energy; the new Knauf spot; Gasoline at $3 a gallon | Local business news

Knauf will begin production in the third quarter of 2023 and intends to hire about 160 people, Parrish said. Knauf’s arrival means rail lines and utilities will expand, perhaps making McGregor even more attractive to the next prospect.

Parrish said Knauf would pay competitive salaries and leverage the Texas State Technical College and McLennan Community College pipeline to find qualified employees. He said Knauf produces fiberglass insulation for structures and its process relies heavily on reclaiming used glass. He said Knauf is well aware that Owens-Illinois manufactures glass bottles in Waco.

The contingent left the Tribune-Herald to catch a flight to Indiana. Parrish said they could escape Waco’s bad weather, but had to contend with a midwestern snowstorm.

Gasoline at $3 a gallon

Last week, this space reported that the statewide average for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline had risen to just over $3 a gallon. Waco’s standard was pennies below, but no more. AAA Texas, the auto club, reported Waco’s average rose 7 cents last week to $3.01.

The statewide average, meanwhile, rose to $3.08 per gallon.

“Uncertainty over Russia’s intentions toward Ukraine is contributing to higher crude oil prices, which were nearing $90 a barrel earlier in the week,” according to an AAA Texas press release. “Russia is a member of OPEC+, and any sanctions based on its actions towards Ukraine could cause it to withhold crude oil from the global market.”