News

Location and Accessibility Helped to Define Palestine and Shape the City’s Growth

Friday, March 29, 2019

Palestine, Texas was a river transportation and railroad community that provided easy transportation access for farmers, ranchers and businesses during the 1800 and 1900’s. Today, Palestine is still defined by high accessibility, as is evident by the distribution centers that have grown in the community. This is a natural evolution in Palestine’s rich history and one of the main reasons the city has experienced a stable and thriving economy over the past 150 years. Palestine was formed in 1846 by the Texas legislature to serve as the Anderson County seat. The city was chosen, in part, because of the transportation advantages...

Texas Water Smart Garden dedicated in Palestine

Thursday, March 28, 2019

State and local partners install garden highlighting water conservation and community beautification PALESTINE, Texas (July 31, 2017) – The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), City of Palestine and Texas Water Smart Foundation (TWS) are pleased to announce the installation of a water conservation demonstration garden in downtown Palestine. “Palestine embodies the best of rural Texas,” said Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller. “The vision and focus of city and community leaders made this project possible, and their efforts will enhance the Main Street District by providing an outdoor space that is attractive and also serves as an education point to teach the public about...

Tiny homes, apartment complexes help fill huge need in Palestine

Wednesday, March 27, 2019

A set of small houses are soon to make their way into one Palestine neighborhood. "There will be four of them, [approx.] 600 square-feet," Gayle Cooper, the City of Palestine's economic development director, said. City leaders approved the construction of the small houses on Blanton Road to combat the housing shortage inside the city limits. Although small in size, the homes will have one bedroom, one bathroom and a kitchen. Click here for the complete article.

Residents and Business Owners Love How Palestine is Beautiful, Affordable and Accessible

Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Palestine, Texas is known for its natural beauty, historic charm, affordability and how easy it is to access major markets throughout the country. People are choosing to call Palestine home, businesses are moving in and there’s a reason why – Palestine has everything they need to thrive. Palestine is Full of Natural Beauty and Historic Charm Located in the Piney Woods of Northeast Texas, Palestine’s landscapes are rich, vibrant and teeming with life. This natural beauty ensures that everything from the downtown and residential areas to the Willow Creek Business Park are surrounded by trees year-round. Plus, nearby Lake Palestine provides a...

The Small Business Development Center

Tuesday, February 12, 2019

The Small Business Development Center is a program of the U.S. Small Business Administration, the State of Texas, and Trinity Valley Community College, supplying free and confidential advice for start-ups and existing small business. Contact Tom at the numbers below for your personal appointment. Thomas Westgate|Business Advisor Trinity Valley Small Business Development Center 100 Willow Creek Parkway Ste.A Palestine, TX 75801 Office: 903.675.7403 Fax: 903.675.4830 Cell: 903.780.0642 www.tvcc.edu/sbdc

Council seeks ideas for Memorial Hospital land

Monday, February 11, 2019

City officials have scheduled a town hall meeting for Feb. 18, at 6 p.m. in City Hall, on how to use the Old Memorial Hospital lot. City Council members want neighbors of the 3.5-acre lot, in the 900 block of South Sycamore Street, to help decide whether the city should use the property for housing, a park, or another purpose. Demolition work on the lot is scheduled to finish in February. Continue to full article

Texas was the top U.S. market for more U-Haul moves in 2018

Thursday, February 07, 2019

That moving truck you saw last week on the interstate was probably headed to Texas. Texas was truck and trailer provider U-Haul's No. 1 growth state in 2018 for the third year in a row. Texas beat out second-place Florida and South Carolina as the fastest-growing state for U-Haul's business. The rental company looked at data from 2 million of its moves to rank the states with the largest net gains in moves for the year. A lot of them were headed to the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Continue to full article

Texas Top-Ranked State for Firm Relocations

Tuesday, February 05, 2019

Relocations of firms and corporate offices generate interest among policymakers and the public who view them as generators of jobs and positive economic spillovers. Apple’s plans for a $1 billion corporate campus in Austin and the intense national competition to land Amazon’s HQ2 are striking examples of the importance placed on landing the big prize. Texas, with its hospitable business climate, is a leading contender for firms looking to cross state borders.1 Anecdotal reports have long highlighted the state’s ability to attract businesses from high-tax and heavyregulation places, such as California and New York, though exact counts of businesses that...

Upcoming: TxDOT's Texas Construction Career Academy Trainings 2019

Tuesday, February 05, 2019

Applicants Looking For Careers in Construction Are Strongly Encouraged To Apply! The Texas Construction Career Academy (TCCA) is looking for 25 highly motivated candidates interested in pursuing a career in the heavy highway construction industry to apply for its upcoming training sessions in Houston, March 18-29, 2019. Candidates are encouraged to apply online before the March 3, 2019 deadline! Apply Today!

TEXAS RANKED NO. 1 FOR GROWTH PROSPECTS

Monday, February 04, 2019

Forbes ranked the Lone Star State No. 1 in the nation for Growth Prospects, thanks to strong job, income and gross state product growth forecasts. Texas ranked No. 1 for Growth Prospects in Forbes’ Best States for Business 2018 based on favorable growth forecasts for job, income and gross state growth. Right on the heels of this announcement, the Bureau of Labor Statistics published a report that solidified this strong ranking, indicating that several Texas metros saw the largest over-the-year employment increases as of October 2018. Continue to full article

Check for $100K just one incentive for new trucking company

Wednesday, December 05, 2018

Erickson Trucking & Supply, a Minnesota staple since 1968, is setting up shop in Palestine – with an incentive package which includes a $100,000 check from the Palestine Economic Development Corporation. “We're tremendously excited to have Erickson Trucking in Palestine,” PEDC Director Gayle Cooper told the Herald-Press Tuesday. “They are bringing manufacturing to the city, which is vital to economic development.” Erickson Trucking company recently purchased a plot of land at 8049 US HWY 79, with one office building and four outbuildings. The company sells new and used big-rig trailers, and sells after-market parts. They will also fabricate parts on-site, eliminating the need...

Join Us on Giving Tuesday and Support Palestine Charities

Monday, November 26, 2018

Palestine is a vibrant community with a high quality of life. Our local charities play an important role in making this a fantastic community to live and raise a family. November 27th is Giving Tuesday, a day to contribute to those who support our community every day. Giving Tuesday encourages us to look beyond the busyness of the holiday season and to consider the charities that are standing in the gap to be there for those in need. Spread the Word Now is an excellent time to spread the word about Giving Tuesday and to encourage friends and family members to make...

City officials confident Palestine can compete

Tuesday, November 06, 2018

Economic Development is accelerating in Palestine, city officials were told at a meeting last week with the Palestine Economic Development Corporation and its board. PEDC Director Gayle Cooper said she's confident Palestine can compete with other rural area for urban investors, as PEDC continues to focus on property, housing, downtown infrastructure, and buildings. Aside from plans by Discount Tire and Burger King to open in Palestine, she said, other businesses have opened recently, including the Junction Steakhouse on Highway 79, a Dollar Store on Highway 155, and a farm bureau insurance office. In Cooper's quarterly report to the council, she said the PEDC's...