Kilgore-Economic Development Corporation is located in the city of Kilgore, Texas, which is approximately one hundred and twenty miles east of Dallas. The state of Texas has been declared to be the top state for business in the United States and Kilgore is fortunate enough to be a growing community peopled by a traditionally hard-working and forward-looking population. For individuals and businesses considering relocating and expanding their enterprises, Kilgore- EDC in the city of Kilgore, Texas offers a wide range of industrial properties, tax incentives, and a professional staff anxious to assist new businesses succeed in this region.
Kilgore-EDC was established on October 1, 1990, and this 4A corporation has a five member board to oversee operations and two full-time staff positions. The primary purpose of Kilgore-EDC is to maintain and expand the tax base of the city of Kilgore, Texas, and to create new value-added, full-time jobs for residents and to ensure the retaining of existing full-time jobs, as well as to be instrumental in making Kilgore a progressive community. The strategic focus of Kilgore-EDC is to encourage, support, and financially assist the retention and expansion of Kilgore's existing businesses and industries. Kilgore-EDC endeavors to attract the relocation of new manufacturing companies and industries to the city of Kilgore, Texas, with the offering of available sites and buildings, financial incentives, and an available and technically-skilled workforce. The corporation will also offer assistance to small business owners wishing to consider the city of Kilgore, Texas as a new home, and in this way Kilgore-EDC will assist with activities contributing to the overall quality of life in the region.
Kilgore-EDC oversees the use of local economic development funds and members work with interested parties on the use of these funds as an incentive for relocating and expanding business and industry in the city of Kilgore, Texas. Any proposal from Kilgore-EDC is pivotal upon companies qualifying for assistance under KEDC's guidelines for credit worthiness. Tax abatement on real and personal property improvements may be granted by all taxing entities, with the exception of Kilgore Independent School District. Relocating companies must meet the requirements associated with the value of capital improvements and either job creation or payroll increases throughout the term of the agreement. Kilgore-EDC could designate a new company as a Texas Enterprise Zone Program project, and upon approval by the state, the company would be eligible for tax refunds on building materials, machinery, and equipment, as well as electricity and natural gas purchased in the normal course of business. The staff of Kilgore-EDC will be pleased to relay information of many other incentives to prospective newcomers.
Constantine Buckley Kilgore settled a town site in 1871, and a year later the railroad company built a line through the area. C.B. Buckley became the founder of the future city of Kilgore, Texas but for fifty-four years it remained a quiet agricultural area. C.M. "Dad" Joiner changed the picture with his discovery of oil and the largest oilfield in the world at that time. Kilgore-EDC indicates that oil and natural gas still play a vital role in the economy of the city of Kilgore, Texas, joining a diversified industrial base where 16 percent of jobs are in the manufacturing sector.
