Texas Jobs and Opportunity: What Terra CO₂ Means for Local Growth

A New Kind of Cement, A New Kind of Growth

In a state built on grit, resourcefulness, and progress, innovation isn’t just welcome, it’s expected. Terra CO₂, a sustainable construction tech startup, just secured $124.5 million to open its first commercial facility in Texas. Their mission: to reinvent cement production with a lower-carbon, regionally sourced alternative. Terra CO₂ Texas jobs and opportunity.

But this isn’t just another green startup story.

This is about local jobs, regional partnerships, and the kind of economic opportunity that strengthens Texas businesses from the ground up.

Texas Jobs and Opportunity: What Terra CO2 Means for Local Growth.

Why Cement Matters More Than You Think

Cement is in nearly every structure we touch—from roads and bridges to schools and homes. Yet traditional cement manufacturing contributes up to 8% of global CO₂ emissions, making it one of the world’s most polluting industries.

Terra CO₂’s breakthrough? A low-carbon cement alternative called Opus Zero, made from readily available silicate-based materials, like sand and clay, instead of traditional limestone. It meets ASTM standards, performs like Portland cement, and emits 70% less CO₂.

And now, it’s being made right here in Texas.


How Terra CO₂ Will Create Texas Jobs

Their first plant, planned for the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, isn’t just a win for the environment, it’s a win for the local economy.

Here’s how:

  • Construction Jobs: From groundwork to facility build-out, dozens of local contractors will be needed.
  • Plant Operations: Ongoing roles in production, maintenance, and safety will be filled by Texas workers.
  • Local Sourcing: Instead of importing exotic materials, Terra CO₂ relies on regional feedstocks—supporting Texas quarries, haulers, and processing plants.
  • Vendor Partnerships: From fleet services to IT systems, there’s a ripple effect of spending in small businesses throughout the area.

According to a 2023 Clean Jobs Texas report, clean energy jobs already outnumber fossil fuel roles in the state. Terra CO₂ fits that trend, bringing industrial-grade innovation to blue-collar communities.


Three Big Wins for Local Business Owners

1. Reduced Supply Chain Headaches

Terra CO₂’s region-first model means fewer delays and cost overruns for Texas builders. No more shipping delays from out-of-state cement plants. Materials are made and moved locally.

2. Opportunities for B2B Contracts

Fleet managers, equipment suppliers, automation vendors, and even security companies can pitch services to a long-term, growth-oriented industrial partner.

3. Business-Friendly Innovation

Unlike flashy Silicon Valley startups, Terra CO₂ is practical, affordable, and scalable. Their cement costs are comparable to Portland cement, making it viable for Texas construction firms focused on margins.


Real-World Precedent: Sustainability Driving Local Gains

This isn’t theoretical. Consider these two examples:

  • Subaru of Indiana achieved zero-landfill status by redesigning its operations to be both green and efficient. The result? Lower overhead and more jobs, not fewer.
  • Stonyfield Organic built its brand on low-impact packaging and carbon reduction, which led to customer loyalty and growth—even during inflation-heavy years.

Terra CO₂’s Texas plant aims to mirror that kind of smart, resilient growth.


What It Means for Central and South Texas

As Terra CO₂ scales up, expect ripple effects in rural counties and metro corridors alike:

  • Chambers of commerce will gain new members and training partners.
  • Tech-savvy graduates can find meaningful work without leaving the state.
  • Small and mid-sized contractors will have access to a reliable, locally sourced material with a lower environmental impact.

It’s a clear win for community-focused businesses.


Laying the Groundwork for the Future

Texas has always been at the crossroads of tradition and transformation. With Terra CO₂ setting up shop in DFW, we’re seeing both in action: legacy industries modernizing, and sustainable tech driving prosperity, not just compliance.

At SofTouch Systems, we believe in future-ready infrastructure, physical and digital. From IT consulting to security systems, we help Texas businesses modernize, scale, and stay competitive in a fast-changing world.


Let’s Build Texas Together

Are you a Texas-based contractor, manufacturer, or supplier looking to prepare for the green-tech wave? Let SofTouch Systems help you modernize your technology stack, secure your data, and grow with confidence.

Schedule your free consultation here.

Data Breaches Cost You More Than Prevention: Why SMBs Must Invest in Security Now

Data breaches are the nightmare scenario for many small and midsize businesses (SMBs) a mix of disruption, customer loss, legal headaches, and rising recovery costs. The truth is that data breaches cost more than prevention.

Below, we explore why SMBs need to treat data breaches as existential threats yet face them with calm, calculated action, not panic.

data breaches cost more than prevention and SofTouch Systems is here to help.

1. Data Breaches Are Shockingly Common and Expensive

Nearly 43% of cyberattacks target businesses with fewer than 1,000 employees. In 2025, a typical SMB breach runs between $120,000 and $1.24 million to recover. Even the low end is almost five figures, enough to devastate a small business.

Contrast that with prevention: an antivirus suite, employee training, and managed monitoring typically cost less than a single incident. Data breaches cost more than prevention, it’s a fact!


2. Downtime Costs More Than You Think

When systems go down, productivity stops, often for days. Half of SMBs take at least 24 hours to recover, and over half report their website was down between 8 and 24 hours. At even $1,000/day in lost productivity and revenue, that’s thousands out the window, and that doesn’t include reputational damage.


3. Customers Won’t Wait. And They Remember

Consumer trust evaporates fast after a breach: 55% of U.S. customers say they’d stop doing business with a breached company. That means losing existing clients and potentially closing doors permanently. A shocking 60% of affected SMBs fail within six months.


4. Insurance and Fines Don’t Cover It All

Even with cyber insurance, your small business still faces deductibles, rising premiums, and excluded costs like reputational damage. Penalties aren’t just financial, customer trust and regulatory exposure carry long-term costs, too. Compliance frameworks like NIS2, DORA, and CIRCIA now demand strong IT hygiene.


5. Preventive Measures Pay for Themselves (Many Times Over)

Here’s a comparison:

Cost TypeEstimated Range
Breach Recovery$120,000–$1.24M per incident
Managed Security & Backup (annual)$5,000–$20,000 (varies by business)
Employee Cybersecurity Training (annual)~$2,000–$5,000
MFA, antivirus, patching, monitoring~$1,000–$3,000

Investing $10K–$30K/year in layered prevention isn’t cheap, but it costs a fraction of even one breach. If you entire business folds $10k per year looks like the best retainer you’ll ever pay next to your lawyer because data breaches cost more than prevention.

Don’t Panic But Don’t Wait

The sky isn’t falling, but it could if you ignore the warning signs. Here’s your three-step roadmap:

1. Measure Your Risk
Start with a cybersecurity risk assessment using trusted resources like CISA’s small business guidance and NIST’s backup best practices.

2. Layer Your Defenses

  • Automate security updates and patching
  • Deploy endpoint protection with antivirus and EDR
  • Enforce multi-factor authentication
  • Provide regular, simulated phishing training
  • Automate off-site and cloud backups

3. Partner with a Pro
An MSP like SofTouch Systems offers continuous threat monitoring, incident response, and compliance checks, all under a predictable monthly fee. Better yet, these services cost less than handling just one recovery incident.

SofTouch Systems Simplifying technology, maximizing results.

You Can’t Afford Not to

The math is clear: a single data breach can cost your business far more than proactive defense. But with the right strategy—and the right partner—you can protect your team, your data, and your future with confidence. One more time for the kids in the back “data breaches cost more than prevention”.


Take Action Today

  • Schedule a cybersecurity risk assessment with our team.
  • Request a custom security roadmap tailored to your budget.
  • Start simple: patch one system, train one team, schedule one test backup.
  • Scale your security as you grow, without breaking the bank.

Is Your Business Too Big for DIY IT? 5 Warning Signs It’s Time to Upgrade Your Tech Support

As your company grows, the quick fixes and workarounds that once kept things running start showing their cracks. Many small businesses in Texas begin with a “do-it-yourself” approach to IT, using whoever on staff knows the most about computers. It’s practical at first, but over time it becomes a liability. Small Business Cybersecurity Tips on outgrown DIY IT

If you’re starting to feel like your tech is holding your business back, you’re not alone. Here are five clear signs your business has outgrown DIY IT support and how to move forward with confidence.


1. You’re Losing Productivity to Recurring Tech Issues

If your team is spending hours each week solving printer problems, resetting passwords, or figuring out why email isn’t working, you’re burning valuable time and money.

DIY IT often leads to band-aid solutions, not long-term stability. You wouldn’t let your office manager patch the AC system, so why trust them with your network infrastructure?

Next Step:
A managed IT provider like SofTouch Systems takes these headaches off your plate with proactive monitoring, remote support, and automated maintenance, so your team can focus on growth. (MSP Best Practices)


2. Security Is Starting to Feel Like a Gamble

Without a dedicated IT team, updates get missed, antivirus licenses lapse, and employee training is inconsistent. That’s when your business becomes a target for ransomware, phishing scams, and data breaches.

Cybercriminals love small and mid-sized businesses, especially ones without strong defenses.

Next Step:
Request a free cybersecurity risk assessment with STS. We’ll identify weak points and help you implement layers of protection, without overcomplicating your setup.


3. You’re Scaling But Your Tech Stack Isn’t

Whether you’ve opened a second location, added remote employees, or taken on larger clients, your IT setup needs to scale with your operations.

If your systems are starting to buckle under the weight of growth, it’s time for a more strategic approach.

Next Step:
Let SofTouch design a scalable, cloud-first infrastructure tailored to your specific industry and workflow. We’ll future-proof your systems without overhauling everything if you have outgrown DIY IT.


4. You’re Not Sure If Your Backups Are Actually Working

Ask yourself honestly: If my server crashed tomorrow, could we restore all our files in under an hour?

DIY backups often miss critical data, aren’t tested regularly, and may not be encrypted, leaving your business exposed when disaster strikes.

Next Step:
Our STS Business Continuity Audit will test your current backup strategy and suggest proven cloud and hybrid backup solutions. Peace of mind starts with a reliable recovery plan.


5. You’re Spending More on Break/Fix Than You Realize

Every time you pay a freelancer or third-party tech to fix an issue, you’re reacting instead of preventing. Over time, these costs can quietly exceed what you’d pay for full-service managed IT support. Not to mention all the time you, yourself have spent on the issue. How much are you per hour? These are signs you’ve outgrown DIY IT.

Worse, these “fixes” often don’t address root causes, meaning the same problem will pop up again soon.

Next Step:
Switch to proactive, flat-rate IT management from STS. Our plans are designed to prevent problems, not profit from them.


Why Texas Businesses Choose SofTouch Systems when they have outgrown DIY IT

At SofTouch Systems, we’ve supported conservative, community-minded businesses across Central and South Texas for over 15 years. We don’t believe in bloated tech plans or pushy upsells. We believe in dependable service, transparent pricing, and solutions that just work.

✔️ Veteran-owned businesses get special support packages
✔️ We’re local, responsive, and understand your business values
✔️ No long wait times. No outsourcing. Just expert help when you need it.

BYOD Security Policies


Ready to Make the Switch from DIY to Pro IT?

If any of these five signs sound familiar, your business is already ready for professional IT management. Let’s talk about how we can help—without locking you into something you don’t need.

Book your free consultation today and take the first step toward smarter IT.
Click here to schedule your call