Palestine, TX Economic Development News

Freight Rail Drives Robust Texas Economy, Supporting Over 294,000 Jobs Annually

Friday, May 12, 2023

Texas has the second-largest economy in the United States and the ninth-largest economy in the world. Comparing Gross Domestic Products (GDPs), the top of the list would include eight sovereign nations and then the state of Texas. To put that in perspective, the economy of Texas is more robust than those of Canada, South Korea, and Brazil. Integral to the state’s thriving economy is the transport and distribution of freight to state and global markets, including raw materials and intermediate and final goods. Demand to move goods to market has driven the development of a highly capable and extensive...

Palestine Independent School District Both Prepares Our Workforce and Offers Top Careers

Monday, April 24, 2023

Palestine Independent School District (PISD), including Palestine High School, models excellence in education and workforce development in the heart of Texas. PISD’s mission to foster relationships that excite, engage, and empower their students and community to achieve excellence is apparent in every teacher, staff member, and program offering. As an integral part of the Palestine community, they ensure that students have the in-demand skills and knowledge to excel in a rapidly changing economy. With its strong community partnerships, PISD is a launchpad for innovation and economic growth in the region. “Our Career and College Readiness has worked very hard...

How the Texas Dogwood Trails Celebration is an Event Tourism Economic Driver

Wednesday, March 08, 2023

The renowned Texas Dogwood Trails Celebration is here again in Palestine, TX, March 17–April 2, 2023! While the fun, festivities, and blossoms are the focus, its impact as an economic driver should be appreciated. The Texas Dogwood Trails Celebration is a classic “hallmark event” as described in “Progress and prospects for event tourism research” (Tourism Management): “‘hallmark’ describes an event that possesses such significance, in terms of tradition, attractiveness, quality, or publicity, that the event provides the host venue, community, or destination with a competitive advantage. Over time, the event and destination can become inextricably linked.” While the...

It’s Better in Palestine: Pentecom Marks 25th-Year Milestone

Friday, February 10, 2023

As Pentecom marks its 25th-anniversary milestone, it just goes to show that a world-renowned tech business can take root in small-town values. Pentecom, founded in Palestine, Texas, in 1997 by Kathy Rainbolt, CEO, and Kim Willmott, CFO, provides technical data consulting and conversion services to domestic and international customers. “Palestine is a great place to do business,” said Rainbolt. “In addition, there are many talented people who live here and desire to stay because it is a great place to raise a family. We are able to also capitalize on Texas’ image as a business-friendly state.” To break...

Q & A with the New Director of Palestine Economic Development Corporation: Christophe Trahan

Friday, December 23, 2022

Texas native Christophe Trahan is ready to combine his economic development expertise with the energy and assets of Palestine, Texas, to make the directorship of Palestine Economic Development Corporation his own. Trahan, a East Texas Baptist University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with concentrations in economics and finance, comes to Palestine from Wood County Economic Development Commission, where he served as executive director. Before his tenure in Wood County, he served for close to three years in his hometown of Linden, Texas, as the executive director of the Linden Economic Development Corporation. Christophe Trahan: In...

Amid Rebound, U.S. Regains Position as World Leader in FDI

Friday, December 16, 2022

Apair of studies shows the U.S. at the top of the rankings for foreign direct investment (FDI) behind a surge of Asian and European investment in technology, chemicals, information and communication, and financial services. According to Kearney’s Global Business Policy Council’s 2022 Foreign Direct Investment Confidence Index and for the tenth consecutive year, the U.S. is the world’s No. 1 destination for FDI. Read full article.

The Trinity Valley SBDC Helps Entrepreneurs Get Started in Palestine, Texas

Friday, December 02, 2022

Starting a business can feel overwhelming, much like trying to find your way in the dark with nothing but a great idea and ambition. But you really don’t have to go it alone. The Trinity Valley Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is an excellent resource for entrepreneurs. The Trinity Valley SBDC is a partnership program of the Trinity Valley Community College, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and the State of Texas, serving Anderson, Henderson, Kaufman, Rains, and Van Zandt counties. Expert professionals provide one-on-one counseling for business plan creation, marketing, management techniques, market research, accounting, strategic planning, funding...

Walk of Lights returns to Palestine for the holiday season

Wednesday, November 23, 2022

Owner Tammy Graham says 11,000 people came to the three-acre Walk of Lights in 2020. “The people that did come, they parked down on SH-155, my husband was trying to control traffic he couldn’t see as far as it was parked and it was really dangerous,” said Graham. Graham and co-owner, Terry Goodenberger decided it was time to buy more land. Read full article.

Rural Texas is the state’s foundation. And it’s in jeopardy.

Monday, November 07, 2022

Pastor Alan Pollard often looks out the front window of his church and sees a bulky fixture he once thought could help him spread his gospel far and wide. Instead, the AT&T fiber box has become a daily reminder of the church’s inability to access broadband. Read full article.