Kilgore EDC Shares Progress on Industrial Park Projects

(Kilgore News Herald) Progress is being made on two major projects at East Kilgore Industrial Park, according to recent information released by the city.

The industrial park, located on FM 349, is managed by the Kilgore Economic Development Corporation, which works to attract new businesses to the site for development and business expansion.

Kilgore College’s Transportation Institute, which prepares students for careers in trucking and transportation, chose the industrial park as the site of a major expansion of the institute, including a large driving track, classroom facility and warehouse training building. A groundbreaking ceremony was held at the site back in October, and the city reports the facility is expected to be completed in May.

This location will house the current college CDL program, as well as a new program offering forklift certification and warehouse training, according to the city. It also has the added benefit of being located adjacent to the DPS CDL licensing center.

The city released an aerial drone shot of the facility construction in progress, prominently showing the large driving track.

KC’s collaborative partnership with KEDC resulted in securing the tract of land — a large space that will allow for future expansions with the goal of becoming a fully equipped transportation training institute.

The college also worked closely with the City of Kilgore in the design and approval process of the project that is being constructed by RLM General Contractors.

Also in progress at East Kilgore Industrial Park is construction of a new facility for Composite Piping Technology LLC. The company held a groundbreaking at the site last June after purchasing nearly 15 acres at the park, where they are building a 45,000 square foot facility.

The company is making a $14.3 million investment in the project and has committed to creating up to 39 new jobs.

The company currently leases a small facility in Kilgore, but relocating to a permanent location in town will allow them to add more production lines while bringing investment and jobs to Kilgore.

When the new facility comes online, Composite Piping Technology anticipates a production capability of 300 miles of pipe per year. The company is the developer of a unique and proprietary type of composite poly pipe which they report is an upgrade over traditional pipes.

[Link to Kilgore News Herald Article](https://www.kilgorenewsherald.com/premium/city-of-kilgore-shares-progress-on-industrial-park-projects/article_9d7dd662-e5fd-11ee-a4f5-df4ff8c8d698.html)