KEDC News & Press

Sales tax revenue up in Longview, Kilgore, other area cities

janarussell — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 08:27:07 -0500

Longview and Kilgore received some of their best financial news of the year Wednesday with the release of sales tax revenues from April.

The Texas Comptroller’s Office reported sales tax revenues up more than 5 percent in Longview and about 6 percent in Kilgore.

New Plastics Product to be Built in Synergy Park

janarussell — Mon, 06 May 2013 10:07:27 -0500

Composite Fluid Transfer, LLC is moving against the stream of conventional pipe development. However, they hope their bold move will bring a downpour in profits as they settle into their plant in Synergy Park of Kilgore, Texas.

The young company has spent the last 15 months perfecting a composite pipe they believe will revolutionize the water transfer industry. Throw in incentives and lease space in the industrial park from Kilgore Economic Development Corporation, and they may have a product that’s ready to flood the market.

Because the pipe is lower in weight and lower in cost than traditional HDPE, investor expectations are high for expansion.

KEDC director prepares for recruiting trip to California

janarussell — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 16:11:50 -0500

Amanda Nobles, Kilgore Economic Development Center executive director, is looking toward a trip to California this summer with the intent of recruiting out-of-state businesses to move to East Texas.

In July, she’ll travel with other members of the North East Texas Economic Alliance, including representatives from other East Texas cities like Athens, Commerce, Mt. Pleasant, Palestine and Sulphur Springs.

According to Nobles, the group was formed late last year with the intent of attracting out-of-state businesses to the area.

Health Care Reform: Why Employers Will "Play in 2014...and Win!

janarussell — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 09:04:08 -0500

Hays Cos. of Texas presented strategies to address Health Care Reform to HR and finance professionals at Region VII Service Center in Kilgore Thursday. It was a great session with more than 80 in attendance. BRE Director Lisa Denton is exploring the possibility of bringing Part 2 of the program to Kilgore.

GUN TO TEXAS: State welcomes firearms companies

janarussell — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 09:19:40 -0500

Back in the 1800s, G.T.T. meant settlers had ‘Gone to Texas,’ fleeing to a safe haven here, still part of Mexico’s territory.

Today, state officials and economic developers hope to substitute a new ‘G’ in the motto, wooing gun manufacturers to an industrial safe haven away from recent legislation and more restrictive regulations.

“Hey PTR...Texas is still wide open for business...come on down!” Gov. Rick Perry tweeted April 12 in a public invitation to the Connecticut based rifle manufacturer.

Following the governor’s lead and gun manufacturers’ demand for new sites, Kilgore Economic Development Corporation and similar organizations in East Texas are extending their own invitations.