The Kilgore Economic Development Corporation (KEDC) is marking its 35th anniversary this year, celebrating decades of sustained economic expansion and industrial diversification in the East Texas community. Since its founding in 1990, the city has seen dramatic increases in property values, with industrial assets rising by 551%, from approximately $67 million to over $435 million in 2025.
Commercial property values have grown nearly 497%, while residential values have climbed by 301%. Overall, total assessed property values have surged from just over $374 million in 1990 to more than $1.8 billion today—an increase of 386%. This growth reflects long-term collaboration between public and private stakeholders committed to strengthening the local economy.
Lisa Denton, KEDC’s executive director, credited the transformation to consistent investment and strategic planning. “From a single idea to diversify our economy, we’ve grown into a regional leader—home to world-class companies whose products reach markets across Texas, the nation, and the globe,” she said. “We’re proud of what’s been built, but even more excited about what’s ahead.”
The organization’s success stems in part from a voter-approved half-cent sales tax established in the late 1980s, which continues to fund economic development initiatives. Former city leader Ronnie Spradlin, who helped champion the measure, expressed pride in its lasting impact. “We promised the people that money would go to create jobs and grow businesses,” he recalled. “Decades later, I’m very proud—we’ve fulfilled those promises.”
KEDC has played a pivotal role in attracting and retaining major employers. Recent achievements include securing KeepRite Refrigeration’s $55 million expansion and facilitating Camfil USA’s $97 million investment in a new facility, both located in Synergy Park—the region’s only Class A business park. These developments have brought high-quality employment opportunities and strengthened the city’s industrial base.
Shelly Lizyness, Camfil’s vice president of human resources, praised KEDC’s dedication. “They pulled out all the stops,” she said, noting that the team continues to support the company’s long-term success through extended hours and proactive planning.
Alan Pollard, KEDC board president and vice president at Communications & Power Industries, emphasized the community’s outsized influence. “Kilgore consistently punches above its weight class, competing against cities up to 20 times our size,” he said, attributing this success to innovation, partnership, and resilience.
Over the past three years, Kilgore has recorded the highest levels of capital investment in its history. These projects represent more than financial figures—they signify job creation, family stability, and a stronger tax base that supports schools, infrastructure, and quality of life.
Denton highlighted the collective effort behind the progress, thanking local leaders, businesses, residents, and government partners—including the City of Kilgore, Gregg and Rusk Counties, Kilgore College, and Kilgore ISD—for their enduring support.
“Together, we’ve all built something truly special—and together, we’ll keep crafting Kilgore’s next great chapter,” she concluded.
— news from East Texas Review
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Kilgore Economic Development Corp. Marks 35 Years
“Together, we’ve all built something truly special u2060– u2060 and together, we’ll keep crafting Kilgore’s next great chapter.” n nLisa Denton MEDP, EDFP, PCED Executive Director Kilgore Economic Development Corp. n nInvesting in itself, Kilgore has seen industrial property values grow 551 percent in the past three-and-a-half decades. n nIn 1990, when Kilgore Economic Development Corporation was formed, those values were approximately $67 million. In 2025, they’re a little more than $435 million. Meanwhile, the commercial sector increased almost 497 percent, residential by 301 percent. n nThe community’s total values in 1990 were a little more than $374 million. Today, 35 years since Kilgore EDC’s creation, property tax rolls total more than $1.8 billion. In total, it’s a 386 percent increase. n n“That’s a powerful testament to the strength of this community and to decades of collaboration between public and private partners who believed in Kilgore’s potential,” KEDC Executive Director Lisa Denton says. “From a single idea to diversify our economy, we’ve grown into a regional leader u2060– u2060 home to world-class companies whose products reach across Texas, the nation, and the globe. n n“We’re proud of what’s been built, but even more excited about what’s ahead.” n n‘Local Roots, Global Impact’ n nKEDC’S EVER-EVOLVING LEGACY is one of companies grounded in Kilgore but reaching far beyond. n nThroughout 2025, ‘Local Roots, Global Impact, has been the mantra as Kilgore EDC marks its 35th anniversary of shared success u2060– u2060 of supporting industries here, attracting new opportunities and ensuring Kilgore is a place where business and life thrive together. n nIn the late ’80s, the development of the EDC hinged on the passage of an additional half-cent sales tax on every local transaction, the same tax that funds efforts today. n nAlongside Randy Brogoitti and Wanda Bittick, Ronnie Spradlin was instrumental in convincing citizens to vote to tax themselves. Mayor today, Spradlin’s gratified to see the effort’s continued success decades in. n n“It was passed overwhelmingly, and we promised the people that money would go to create jobs and grow the businesses and grow the industries in Kilgore,” he says. “This much later, I’m very, very proud. I feel like we fulfilled those promises.” n nA myriad of companies are still putting Kilgore on the map, and their products carry the community’s story well beyond the city limits. Kilgore EDC is dedicated to cultivating and supporting each, helping Kilgore’s cornerstone businesses drive growth through their innovative products, services and good-paying jobs. n n“We’re so thankful and so proud of the job KEDC has done over these decades,” Spradlin said, building on Kilgore’s oilfield history and working to fill the gap when that was not as large a portion of the economy. Kilgore EDC’s efforts the past 35 years have drawn key companies and jobs then helped keep them here, “making products and providing services that appear all over the United States and all over the world. n n“It has truly made a difference in the future of Kilgore.” n nKilgore Punches Above Its Weight n nTHE COMMUNITY’S PRODUCTS & SERVICES reach far and wide to have a great impact on lives across the state, country and world, KEDC Board President Alan Pollard echoed. n n“This significant impact makes Kilgore a unique and enjoyable place to do business,” the vice president of Communications & Power Industries told the EDC’s partners this fall. “Since its founding, KEDC has played a vital role in shaping Kilgore’s economy, building partnerships and strengthening the foundation of our great community. n n“Over the past 35 years, we have attracted local and regional expansion projects that have created jobs and opportunity for our local residents.” n nKilgore EDC also established the region’s only Class A business park, Synergy Park. Leveraging major transportation routes nearby and priming property for new tenants and expansions, the campus-style enclave that sets the community apart from other regions. n n“We have successfully recruited both domestic and international companies. Many of these companies have now established flagship facilities right here in Kilgore,” Pollard said. n nMost importantly, he added, Kilgore EDC has achieved the goal of growing and diversifying the local economy, making it stronger, more resilient and better prepared for the future. n n“Kilgore consistently punches above its weight class, competing against cities and communities that are up to 20 times our size,” a track record of winning thanks to the dedication, innovation and commitment of an ever-growing group of community partners. n nPulling Out All the Stops n nCOLLECTING ACCOLADES FOR ITS EFFORTS, Summer 2025 saw Kilgore EDC earn its third consecutive Award of Excellence from Business Retention and Expansion International, recognizing the local organization’s work to land KeepRite Refrigeration’s $55 million expansion into Synergy Park. n nIn late October, the Texas Economic Development Council tapped KEDC for its second consecutive Community Economic Development Award following its instrumental role in welcoming Camfil USA’s $97 million investment in a new facility in Synergy Park. n n“We feel like we hit a home run in Kilgore,” said Shelly Lizyness, VP of Human Resources for Camfil. n nAlongside Denton, KEDC’s staffers “pulled out all the stops,” Lizyness told TEDC’s membership. They weren’t just working to attract the company in the short-term, but to do everything possible to ensure Camfil’s long-term success in East Texas: “They are still continuing to work with us. n n“They’re still planning. They work long evenings. They work on weekends all the time. They want to make sure we’re successful.” n n35 Years Later and More to Come n nIT’S A SHARED EFFORT. Denton credits Kilgore’s 35-year, 386-percent increase in the property tax rolls u2060– u2060 particularly the 551 percent boost in industrial values u2060– u2060 to the companies, leaders, employees, and residents who make the city a place where business thrives, and community grows. n nKEDC has been committed to that effort since the beginning, first under Executive Director Amanda Nobles then Jana Russell and, today, Denton. While Kilgore EDC honors the past, it’s also setting records in the present. n n“Over the past three years, Kilgore has achieved the highest levels of capital investment in our history. These projects represent more than dollars and square footage u2060– u2060 they represent opportunity,” Denton adds, “jobs for local and regional area residents, stability for families and a stronger tax base that supports our schools, infrastructure and quality of life. n n“Kilgore’s done amazing job. We want to thank the partners that support us and the citizens for believing in us and supporting us. We hope to continue to do a good job for them.” n nThe EDC’s business partners are the innovators, the employers and the backbone of Kilgore’s economy, she said, the ones who work every day to keep the community strong and competitive on a regional, state, national and global field. n nLocal elected officials continue to support policies that strengthen Kilgore’s business environment and make investment possible, Denton added. Likewise, the members of KEDC’s board of directors, past and present, have lent their vision and dedication to ensuring the local economy thrives. n nIt’s the same for KEDC’s governmental partners: the City of Kilgore, Gregg and Rusk County, Kilgore College and Kilgore ISD are integral to KEDC’s efforts and Kilgore’s success. n n“Together, we’ve all built something truly special u2060– u2060 and together, we’ll keep crafting Kilgore’s next great chapter.” n nPhoto courtesy Kilgore Economic Development Corp.