Community Profile

Community Profile data is collected throughout the year by Kilgore Economic Development staff. The information is used to provide a complete economic, demographic, and cultural overview of the Kilgore area for new and expanding primary employers.

Demographics
Demographics charts detailing the following in the Kilgore labor market:
  1. Median Age
  2. Population
  3. Total Households
  4. Total Housing Units

 

Major Employers

 

Company Name Category Employment
Halliburton Services Oilfield Services 731
Kilgore Independent School District Primary & Secondary Public Education 606
General Dynamics SATCOM                                             Satellite Communication Equipment 499
Kilgore College Higher Education Institute 363
Region VII Education Service Center Regional Public Education Service Provider 290
Martin Midstream Partners, LP Mkt. & Transporting of Petroleum/Chemicals 241
Exterran                   Compression Services         197
Closure Systems International, Inc. Plastic Containers 167
Pak-Sher Company Plastic Bags 160
Orgill, Inc. Warehouse Distribution 157
City of Kilgore Municipal Government 155
BJ Services Oilfield Services 155
Skeeter Products, Inc. Recreational 153
Weatherford International Oil & Gas Services 112
Triumph Group, Inc. Machined Aircraft Parts, Misc. Trans. Equip. 110
Baker Petrolite Oil & Gas Services 98
Allied Waste Services Solid Waste Management 92
Cudd Pressure Control Oilfield Services 85
Frank's Casing Crew & Rental Tools, Inc. Oilfield Services 83
Ana-Lab Corp. Analytical Services 68

 

Economic Incentives

KEDC utilizes a number of economic incentives.  Funds for direct economic incentives are collected from a dedicated sales tax. The KEDC board of directors oversees the use of these funds and will work with primary employers who are choosing to locate or expand in Kilgore, Texas. 

Incentives are based on project investment, number of jobs and payroll.  Any proposal for incentives from KEDC is contingent upon the company qualifying for assistance under KEDC’s guidelines for credit worthiness. It is understood that the company must provide KEDC and its credit advisers all the necessary information to make this determination.

Please click below to apply for direct incentives.
Application for Incentives
(PDF file) 
 

KEDC provides access to and assists with the following:

  1. Taxation incentives
  2. Financing incentives
  3. Job training incentives
  4. Energy incentives
  5. Access to all incentives available through the State of Texas
 
 

 

Taxation
 
Texas is one of the few states without a state income tax. In 2005, Texas was almost the lowest per capita tax state in the nation, ranking 49th in per capita state taxes, or $1,434 per person. Statistics show state and local taxes consume a smaller proportion of Texans’ incomes - 9.4%. The national average is 10.6%.
 
Please click on the following link for an Overview of the Texas Tax System. . .

 

Training

The Skills Development Fund is Texas' premier job training program providing training dollars for Texas businesses and workers.  Administered by the Texas Workforce Commission, success is achieved through collaboration among businesses, public Community and Technical Colleges, Local Workforce Development Boards and economic development partners.

The Kilgore community receives services through Kilgore College, Texas State Technical College (TSTC) and East Texas Workforce Board. Kilgore College and TSTC tailor training curriculum to match the needs of each specific company in addition to standard certificate programs/courses. The college will work with companies to prepare the application for state training funds.

The state-funded Skills Development Fund job-training program is available to new or to expanding existing industry through local community or technical colleges. The SDF program assists businesses and trade unions by financing the design and implementation of customized job training projects. It successfully merges business needs and local customized training opportunities to increase the skills level and wages of the Texas workforce. Pre-employment testing and screening are also available.

The average cost for an SDF trainee is approximately $1,500 with a standard length 12 month contract, although the actual cost can be higher or lower.  If the cost per trainee for a proposed project is higher than the average, an application may strengthen its proposal by including justification for higher cost.

 

For more information on the fund, click HERE.

 

 

 

 

Transportation

Kilgore is located within a transportation nucleus 120 miles east of Dallas and 60 miles west of Shreveport. Nestled in the piney woods of East Texas, the community is located just two miles from Interstate 20, linking Kilgore to a major transportation artery where trucks can drive coast to coast without ever seeing a traffic light. US HWY 259 and 59 south to Houston and north to I-30, along with State HWYs 42, 31, and 135, offer other interstate quality roads for easy transportation to additional markets.

The East Texas Regional Airport is within a five minute drive on HWY 349 and holds the distinction of being the first civilian airport in the State and the Southwest to have a 10,000-foot runway. American Eagle offers regular regional jet service to DFW International. Main rail lines are less than a mile from the park, and a spur into the park is planned.
 
The Port of Shreveport-Bossier is just 69 miles east of Kilgore on the Red River Waterway.  The Port has immediate access to barge, motor freight, and air transport providing a robust network of distribution.  For example, United Parcel Service (UPS) estimates that next-day motor freight service from Shreveport-Bossier is capable of reaching almost 30 million people in some of America's strongest consumer markets - making it a UPS top five market for next-day distribution.
 
Also included are transportation mileage charts and maps as well as a list of motor freight carriers:

 

Utility & Services

 The City of Kilgore supplies and distributes water and sewer services. Options are available for natural gas service,  and the regulated electric rates in the Kilgore region are some of the lowest in the nation.  Please click the "utilities and services" heading or scroll down for a list of providers and rates.