Texas Forest Country

Though the Texas Forest Country is not home to mammoth cities, the economic development specialists and business leaders who promote the region understand that a strong business climate is a strong business climate, whether the population is 500 or 5 million.

“A number of communities have grown their business bases to the point that the amenities are here,” says Charlie Dromgoole, president of the Texas Forest Country Partnership. “You're able to maintain that hometown feel, but still have the services and capabilities that you would find in a lot of larger places.”

The 13-county region has parlayed its low tax rates, competitive cost structure, solid transportation infrastructure, proximity to major markets, abundance of water, major health and education providers, and superior quality of life into a diverse, sophisticated and vibrant economy.

The corporate roster includes major operations for household names such as Lockheed Martin, Georgia Pacific, Pilgrim’s Pride and Tyson.

And homegrown innovation has spawned major employers such as Temple-Inland, a $4 billion global manufacturer of building products and corrugated packaging with roots in Diboll. The company’s Building Products Division, which produces lumber, gypsum board and fiberboard products for residential and commercial construction, is based in Diboll.

Lufkin Industries Inc., based in Angelina County for more than 100 years, designs, engineers, manufactures and services oil field equipment and power transmission products sold around the world. The company’s revenues top $740 million and it employs more than 3,000, including more than 1,200 in the Lufkin area.

Nacogdoches-based Elliott Electric Supply is a major player in the electrical distribution and industrial automation industries. Founded in 1972, it has grown to more than 95 locations in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and New Mexico. The company, which employs more than 800, had sales in 2008 topping $382 million.

“That's been the hallmark of a lot of our industry,” Dromgoole says. “A lot of it has been homegrown and it’s grown from there.”

The region’s business climate is aided by its proximity to major markets. Houston Intercontinental Airport, for example, is about 90 minutes from Lufkin via U.S. Highway 59. The region also offers easy access to Dallas, and being between the two metros is an advantage many employers can't ignore, Dromgoole says.

In Center, General Shelters of Texas, Ltd. is one of the nation’s leading producers of portable buildings for residential, agriculture, military, construction, oil field and other commercial applications.

The company has produced more than 100,000 buildings since its founding in 1973.

David Koonce, vice president and a minority owner of General Shelters, says one of the Texas Forest Country’s notable business advantages is found in its quality of life.

Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Toledo Bend Lake and a slew of national forests anchor a diverse recreational landscape. Communities have preserved and enhanced their historic downtowns, creating vibrant town centers with unique shops, galleries and restaurants, and the region boasts cultural attractions to rival any large metro.

“It's a great place to live,” Koonce says. “I've heard outsiders say when they come in to visit that we've got a lot going on for such a small town – we've got a lot more going on than what’s normal for a town of our population size.”