Smith County Commissioners took action to create connectivity, install utilities, and attract big business to the new Tyler Interstate Commerce Park. (Tyler Economic Development Council/Courtesy)

The county and community partners are making progress on a new industrial park.

Smith County Commissioners took action to create connectivity, install utilities, and attract big business to the new Tyler Interstate Commerce Park at its meeting on Tuesday.

“I’ve been excited about this project since we first discussed it, and it’s an opportunity for the county to contribute and join in with economic development,” Judge Neal Franklin said. “We’ve struggled with having properties ready to go, and that was the complaint by businesses that sought out our community. We’re getting that ready in the park.”

The commissioners amended the tax increment reinvestment zone to develop property along Interstate 20 and State Highway 155. The zone allows water and sewer services from the East Texas Municipal Utility District of Smith County (ETMUD) to serve the Industrial Park and surrounding area. Improvements are required for the water and sanitary sewer facilities. However, ETMUD is expected to fund these improvements using tax increment financing.

In February, the court created the Smith County Reinvestment Zone Number One for tax abatement, and in May, the court amended the order to increase the total area within the zone to 824.4 acres.

About $4.5 million of Smith County’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding was allocated to build a new road through property acquired by the Tyler Economic Development Council (TEDC) for an industrial park. County Road 3344, the new road, is designed to connect State Highway 155 and CR 336.

“We’ve been successful at locating businesses within the zone,” said Scott Martinez, TEDC president. “Future growth within the zone is predicated upon having water and wastewater to serve those potential job creators.”

Great Southern Wood Preserving, better known as YellaWood, purchased 150 acres as the park’s first tenant and is moving forward with a $42 million project employing more than 100 people. Averitt Express is constructing a $10 million regional logistics hub employing about 70 people. Another two projects in discussion would produce an additional $75 million in value within the zone.

“It gives Smith County a competitive real estate site where we can locate industry and, more importantly, jobs for our citizens,” Martinez said.

The amendment also created a board of nine directors and a tax increment fund and designated the boundaries for the zone.

“We’ve gotten so much interest,” Franklin said. “I’m excited thinking about the possibilities of what’s coming, what’s happening for sure and what potential is happening.”

In addition, the court designated each commissioner to serve as the primary point of contact for departments under the control or oversight of the commissioners court.

Pam Frederick, Commissioner Pct. 1, is over Records, Fire Marshall, Animal Control and the Law Library. John Moore, Commissioner Pct. 2, is over IT, Facility Services and Judicial Compliance and Collections. Terry Phillips, Commissioner Pct. 3, is over Road and Bridge, Pre-Trial Release, and Elections. Ralph Caraway, Sr., Commissioner Pct. 4, oversees Veterans, Human Resources and Purchasing.

The court accepted a donation for six LIFEPAK 1000 AEDs and accompanying wall cabinets and hardware from UT Health East Texas EMS. There will be training on how to use these machines, but these are simple to use and include instructions on the devices.

The court also awarded contracts for the following bids for drainage ditches, roadway striping and parking garage construction materials, and pipe and utility line installation requests.