It's a global partnership that's come full circle, with two cities keeping their promise to advance economic and tourism interests together.
City officials checked in with their Ukrainian sister city Rzshichiv via a web conference Wednesday to get an update on how things are going in the growing community across the globe. Rzshichiv - pronounced redgzgh-je-CHA-shev - is a city of about 8,000 residents in the northern province of Kiev Oblast, which is about 53 miles south of the nation's capital of Kiev.
Kilgore forged a sister relationship with the Ukrainian community in November upon the request of Cypress Interactive CEO Bruce Crowe, who manages the Kilgore-based business from Rzshichiv.
It's the third time the cities' officials have met via a web conference, according to Kilgore City Manager Jeffrey Howell.
Rzshichiv Mayor Viktor Anatoliyovych said the city recently celebrated its cultural festival that highlights the history of the 700-year-old community. Anatoliyovych added that the city is dealing with economic conditions like many other communities across the globe, addressing city costs and income.
Despite conditions, Anatoliyovych said officials are looking into ways to diversify its agriculturally based economy by trying to recruit and develop manufacturing and high-tech jobs.
"It's good to see all of you," Anatoliyovych said while holding up his coffee cup to the Webcam. "There are good things happening here, and I hope in the future we will be able to meet in person and talk about them one day."
Kilgore Economic Development Specialist Lisa Denton, who is vacationing in the region with other East Texans, said she took a break from touring the city to meet with Ukrainian city officials.
"We toured the city and its schools," Denton said. "It's a beautiful city with a lot of potential."
Denton said the delegation discussed economic growth tactics with city officials, including entrepreneurship.
KEDC Director Amanda Nobles said the corporation and the city did not pay for Denton and the delegation to visit Rzshichiv.
"The delegation paid for the trip out of their own pockets," Nobles said. "Lisa and the delegation she traveled with volunteered their time to meet with Rzshichiv officials."
After exhanging gifts between the two cities - which included a mahogany-colored violin made from Ukrainian clay found in the Dnieper River - Mayor Joe T. Parker encouraged Anatoliyovych and his staff to stay in touch.
"This is a good partnership for our cities," Parker said. "It's always good to hear from you, and what is happening there."
