Lufkin Industries got a boost from the city council during Tuesday's regular session.
Lufkin City Council authorized the city to participate in the Texas Enterprise Zone Program, which identifies state tax incentives for the company, hopeully resulting in more jobs and capital investments for Lufkin Industries.
Steven Alford/The Lufkin Daily News |
Lufkin's new fire chief, Danny Kistner, pictured left, was welcomed by the city council Tuesday night and by assistant fire chief, Duane Freeman, left. Kissinger started his first week of work Monday.
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"This is an excellent opportunity to serve a company that has stuck with this city for years, despite them having an international demand," said Don Langston, city council member.
"I, for one, look forward to doing whatever we have to do to keep Lufkin Industries with us for another 100 years."
A statement from the company said Lufkin Industries plans to invest more than $10.5 million for various projects at its Lufkin facilities over the next five years.
The Texas Enterprise Program offers the company an opportunity to seek designation from the state for the retention of its full-time jobs at all of its Lufkin facilities.
At the beginning of the session, council members took time out to welcome Lufkin's new fire chief, Danny Kistner, who had his first day on the job Monday.
"We look forward to working with you and to many years of service to the city to come," said Paul Parker, city manager.
"And also we'd like to thank Duane (Freeman) for keeping things together in the interim while we looked for a new chief. Thank you both for your service."
In other business, Brian McClain of the Small Business Development Council, located at Angelina College, reported that despite the recent economic downturn, the SBDC had its second-best year in more than 10 years of operation.
In the last year the SBDC has helped the local economy by creating 382 jobs, raising $4.6 million in start-up capital and helped open 21 new businesses, McClain said.
Some of the recent businesses they've helped develop include entrepreneur Susan Reents' purchase of the Fredonia Hotel in Nacogdoches, and the expansion of a new tire delivery system by Mark Cook, of Cook Tires.
The Lufkin City Council meets the first and third Tuesday of each month at City Hall.
