As part of its Lunch & Learn Series, the Texas State University System (TSUS) Polk County Center hosted a town hall meeting to earmark and celebrate its one-year anniversary Tuesday at the TSUS Polk County Center located at 1015 US 59 Loop North in Livingston.
Kristin Tow-Walker, assistant vice president for statewide partnerships for Lamar State College Orange, welcomed everyone, commenting that the TSUS Polk County Center is basically three different schools in one place – Lamar State College Orange, Lamar State College Port Arthur and Lamar Institute of Technology.
Founded in 1911, the Texas State University System was the first higher education system established in the State of Texas and was initially formed to support and manage state teacher colleges. It is governed by a nine-member Board of Regents. Seven schools comprise TSUS – four four-year universities (Lamar University, Sam Houston State University, Sul Ross State University and Texas State University) and three two-year state colleges (Lamar Institute of Technology, Lamar State College Orange and Lamar State College Port Arthur).
“We are here to support workforce development,” Tow-Walker said. In addition to offering CDL classes every six weeks, other programs available at the Polk County Center include adult education, GED, EMT, teaching, criminal justice, child development, real estate, HVAC and nursing, among others.
For additional information about the TSUS-Polk County Center, go to pcc.tsus.edu or call 936-268-3048.
Polk County Economic Development Corporation
John Tarver, executive director of the Polk County Economic Development Corporation, discussed local economic development, prospects and future focus. Tarver has been in his position four about three years, having been brought in because the local economic development corporation had been dormant for a while.
According to Tarver, Polk County’s current population is approximately 55,000 and there are approximately 1,600 total businesses in the county. He said the unemployment rate is 4.7% and the annual growth rate is 1.7%.
A strategic planning survey was initiated by the county around the time Tarver came on board and he referred to those results which illustrated the county’s strengths and weaknesses as indicated by the survey responses.
The strengths cited include the following: support for economic development and growth; the local chamber of commerce; Naskila Casino; transportation (interstate highways, rail and pipelines); location (central) to Houston, Dallas and San Antonio; Lake Livingston and forest lands; existing business growth; healthcare options; local schools and colleges; and being a leader in renewable energy.
Weaknesses cited by the survey responses included: no industrial parks, limited industrial sites; workforce (numbers and skilled); limited infrastructure; housing; and marketing the region.
Tarver cited what he considers numerous opportunities for Polk County, including: transportation is improving (I-69, rail improvements, transmission upgrades); investment from existing businesses; ample land for development; ongoing expansion out of Houston; and tourism (about 12,000 per month).
He said the Corrigan bypass presently under construction will bring in new businesses.
Reviewing economic highlights, he highlighted three distinct factors – renewable energy leadership, Naskila Casino impact and recent economic expansions. He said Polk County is a leader in renewable energy, boasting 300+ MW of solar power and 24 MW of hydropower, both of which he said are very important to the grid. As for Naskila Casino, it had a $212 million economic impact on the area in 2025 and has announced plans to build a new resort and casino complex. Other key economic expansions in the last few years include George Pacific, Corrigan OSB, healthcare facilities and retail and fast food growth.
He commented that the Corrigan OSB plant has almost doubled in size and that Corrigan also has a Starbucks now.
While he was unable to name names due to privacy issues, Tarver said he has seven very active projects underway, three of which are manufacturing. “I’m excited about that. They’re all looking good,” he said. The other projects are retail and office space, he said.
“I love to encourage folks to shop locally … to reinvest in the community and your family,” he said. “It saves time and is less travel and it helps create local jobs.
Additionally, local businesses support regional charities and causes, and shopping locally supports innovation and helps fund a better tomorrow for you and those you care about, Tarver said.
For additional information about the Polk County Economic Development Corporation, go to www.polkcountyeconomicdevelopment.com, call 936-327-5000 or email Tarver at jtarver@eastex.net.
Deep East Texas Workforce Solutions
Barbara Justice, a business engagement representative with Deep East Texas Workforce Solutions, discussed employer services/engagement, hot jobs, in demand and target occupations and emerging trends.
“I primarily work with employers … doing job fairs, hiring events. I help with labor market research and I can do career exploration,” Justice said.
“You need hard skills to get the job, but you need soft skills to keep the job,” Justice said.
She discussed the myriad offerings available through Workforce Solutions including hiring initiatives, employer engagement and community outreach programs, grants for high demand job training, skills for success, business engagement and a portfolio of programs with grant opportunities.
She is presently seeking employers for a Polk County Career Expo that is slated for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 1 for students in eighth through 12th grades. It will be offered to all students in Polk, San Jacinto and Tyler counties.
For additional information about Deep East Texas Workforce Solutions and its programs or to participate in the career expo, go to www.detwork.org or email Justice at bjustice@detwork.org.
