City receives $4 million for economic development

The City of Lufkin accepted a $4 million check Saturday afternoon which will be used toward finishing a large industrial development site that could bring hundreds of jobs to East Texas, city officials said.

U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Tyler) presented the check on behalf of the Economic Development Association, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The EDA handed down the funds through the Deep East Texas Council of Governments, which acted as administrators.

"Once these funds became available we knew it was imperative that it went to the right place," Gohmert said. "I can't think of a better place than Lufkin for it to go. This will enable East Texas to have more jobs and improve the infrastructure."

The funds are the first of $58 million in disaster recovery to be distributed to Texas cities for damages sustained in Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

"The City of Lufkin is happy to accept this $4 million check," said Jack Gorden, Lufkin mayor. "It will affect not just Lufkin, but all of Angelina County."

Gorden noted that many people who work in Lufkin live outside of town in outlying areas in the county.

"We plan to use it to the greatest benefit for East Texans and raise the standard of living for everyone," he said.

Walter Diggles, DETCOG executive director, said the funds were set aside during the (President George W.) Bush administration and announced in December of 2008.

"This is a big boost for East Texas," Diggles said. "Unemployment is higher than it has ever been right now, and if we work together this will really help us all come out on top."

Of the funds allocated to Texas, $8 million will go to East Texas, with $4 million given to Lufkin to develop its industrial park and the other $4 million to Livingston to develop a new college site, Diggles said.

Lufkin Director of Economic Development Jim Wehmeier said the new 160-acre industrial park located at the old AbitibiBowater mill will be ready to bring in a wide array of industries that will create hundreds of jobs.

"This will bring in a lot of industries that are looking for a unique site to build on," said Wes Suiter, Angelina County judge. "It's not just a boost for Lufkin, it's a regional boost for the whole county."

The Lufkin industrial park, located off Highway 103 east, offers several amenities for industries looking to build new plants, Wehmeier said. It offers possibly more raw water reserves than any other site in the country, which is an asset that many industries seek for production, he said.

"This really gives us a tremendous advantage to bring in new business to the area," Wehmeier said. "We're very blessed to be here right now."