KEDC industrial property in need of repair
By KATHRYN MARTINEZ news1@kilgorenewsherald.com

In an effort to market property in North Kilgore Industrial Park, the building formerly occupied by Kennedy Gourmet, Kilgore Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors agreed the corporation must spend money to rehabilitate the building. Approximately $30,000 in repairs to roofmounted air conditioning units, the roof and down spouts are needed.

In other North Kilgore INdustrial Park business, Bucyrus is nearing completion of a detention pond and expects to have a grand-opening celebration by the end of next month; and board members approved extension of an economic Development Agreement with Closure Systems International. The contract was transferred to the company with the sale of Alcoa CSI. Alcoa froze all action during the sale - approximately nine months - which ceased action toward completion of requirements.

The board also discussed progress toward expansion of FM 349, saying that Bob Barbee, Gregg County Pct. 3 commissioner, has crews lined up to begin clearing trees in the coming week and that Bill Stoudt, Gregg County judge, has continued to work with Texas Department of Transportation to get the project under way.

Another much-anticipated road project is the extension of Synergy Boulevard, running along the west side of Orgill, Inc., in Synergy Park, which is slated to circle the distribution center and connect with Elder Lake Road and continue toward the 200-acre tract purchased by KEDC last fall.

Amanda Nobles, KEDC executive director, reported that she is pleased with the performance of Bulldog Lawn Care, the company contracted for landscape work and maintenance at Synergy Park.

Also at Synergy Park, half of the slab for the corporation's second shell building has been poured. Nobles said Stephen Hundley, of Kilgore Synery Partners, is scheduled to come next week for a status report on the Phase II project.

In other KEDC business, the board hopes to have completed the corporation's annual budget by July; and Lisa Denton, economic Development Specialist, has received another certification: Business Expansion and Retention Specialist.

The next Meeting of KEDC Board of Directors is scheduled for 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, July 15 at Kilgore City Hall in Council Chambers.