Rusk Economic Development Corporation

Rusk Economic Development Corporation

The Rusk Economic Development Corporation is comprised of a team of community leaders working to a) bring business and industry to the area, b) retain existing business and industry, c) provide incentives such as tax abatements, refunds and special financing, and d) enhance economic growth and quality of life for Rusk, Texas.

A Seven-member board of directors governs the Rusk EDC. The board is appointed by the Rusk City Council, with each EDC board member serving a term of three years.

REDC seeks to energize and expand employment in the Rusk area through the attraction of new businesses, and the retention of existing businesses. Incentives are offered based on the following criteria: jobs, tax base, sales tax revenue, wages, and company financial stability.

As the Rusk Economic Development Corporation continues in its pursuit of prosperity for the community, Rusk and its citizens will reap the benefits of growth and a heightened quality of life.

Join us in our pursuit!

Visit www.TexasSiteSearch.com to view additional information about the City or Rusk.

2012 Community Profile

(Revised: 6/2012)

Cherokee County - City of Rusk

POPULATION

The Office of Economic and Small Business Development provides technical support in various forms to businesses and non-profit organizations. This technical support can be through internship/co-op programs between local business needs, and assistance with grants and incentive information. New and existing businesses can inquire upon applications for bonds and other financial assistance programs that could help businesses grow resulting in job creation, as well as grant information to aid in the implementation or expansion of a new headquarters, district or business. 

Among the tools and resources to accomplish these objectives are:

Yes	Rusk has a Tax Abatement: A temporary suspension of property taxation, generally for a specific period of time. Governments use abatements as an economic development tool. For example, a tax abatement may be given to a developer or building owner who builds or makes improvements to buildings in certain areas. Abatements also may be used to encourage companies to locate in a specific area, or offered as an incentive to stop businesses from moving out of a specific area. Abatements up to 100 percent are offered by governments to certain companies for a limited time.
Yes	Rusk has a Enterprise Zone: Geographical area targeted by the federal, state, or municipal government where small businesses are given incentives to create employment opportunities. Incentives may include tax credits, favorable financing terms, contract set-asides, zoning regulation relief, and other types of help.
Yes	Rusk has an Industrial Foundation:  The Rusk Industrial Foundation promotes and assists in industry site selection, marketing, and existing business retention/expansion, and is a source of comprehensive information for expanding or relocating business. The foundations consists of local businesses working together for the  purposes of economic and industrial growth for the City.
No	Rusk does not Foreign Trade Zone: Legally, a foreign trade zone is an area within the United States that the government pretends is outside the country, or at least, outside of U.S. Customs territory. So you can import certain types of merchandise into one without going through formal customs entry procedures or paying import duties.
Yes	Rusk has a Reinvestment Zone:   Designed to encourage commercial banks and savings associations to meet the needs of borrowers in all segments of their communities, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods.
Yes	Rusk has a Freeport Exemption:  The Freeport Exemption exempts certain types of inventory from ad valorem (property) taxation provided the property is: Acquired in or imported into Texas to be forwarded out of state   Detained in Texas for assembling, storing, manufacturing, processing, or fabricating purposes by the person who acquired or imported it; and   Transported out of state within 175 days after the date the person acquired or imported it into Texas. Because oil, natural gas, and other petroleum products are not considered freeport goods, they are not eligible for the exemption and therefore remain taxable. Even when goods are sold to an in-state purchaser rather than shipped out of the state, they may qualify for the Freeport exemption - however, the property must qualify under the above requirements as Freeport property and must be transported out of the state within 175 days after it was first acquired in or imported into the state.
Yes	Rusk has a 4B Economic Development Corporation:  The 4B tax promotes a wide range of civic and commercial projects (OAG 2008).  Revenue generated through this tax - funds the same projects allowed under the 4A tax, and park related facilities, professional and amateur sports and athletic facilities, tourism and entertainment facilities, affordable housing, and other improvements or facilities that promote new or expanded business enterprises that create or retain primary jobs. Benefits associated with the 4A and 4B taxes differ depending upon the size of the sponsoring city. Rural communities better compete with larger cities by attracting businesses that create jobs, infuse capital, and stimulate the local economy. Other benefits include improvement of the quality of life, reduced property tax, and expansion of tourism.

TAXATION 

     2011 TAX RATE (PER $100 ASSESSED VALUE)

WAGE DATA

The median income for a household in the CSA was $33,231 and the median income for a family was $39,642. Males had a median income of $29,431 versus $21,070 for females. The per capita income for the CSA was $16,526.

UTILITIES

ELECTRIC ENERGY DELIVERY:  Oncor Electric Delivery

• Reliability:  99.98564%

• Transmission Voltage:   69KV               138 KV            345 KV

• Service Voltage:   120/240           240/480           277/480

  NATURAL GAS:  CenterPoint / Entex

• BTU Content Per Cubic Foot: 1,050

  TELEPHONE SERVICE:  VERIZON

  Digital:	Yes
  Analog:
  Electromechanical:
  Make and Model:	AG Communications System, GTD - EAX
  Software Level:	SVR 1621
  Fiber Optics:	Yes
  Switched 56 KBPS:	Yes
  High capacity Digital (T-1):	Yes
  Digital Data Service:	Yes
  911:	Yes

  OTHER NETWORK SERVICES

  • Sudden Link Cable High Speed Internet - Business & Personal Internet Packages

  • CKS Wireless High Speed Internet - Business & Personal Internet Packages

  WATER SUPPLIER:  City of Rusk

  Source:	6 wells
  Max. System Capacity (daily):	2,625,000 gallons
  Max. Daily Use to Date:	1,500,000 gallons
  Pressure on Mains:	50-80 PSI
  Storage Capacity:	1,976,000 gallons
  Size of Mains:	4" - 12"
  System Looped:	Yes
  Projects Under Construction:	None

  SEWER SYSTEM:

  Type Treatment Plant:	Extended Aeration / Activated Sludge
  Maximum Capacity:	1,750,000 gallons
  Maximum Daily Use To Date:	1,500,000 gallons
  Projects Under Construction:	None

  EDUCATION

  RUSK INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT (ISD)

  Public School Budget:  (2012-2013) $15,084,978 (Proposed).

  Schools Enrollment (as of 4/2012)

  Primary: 1	479
  Elementary: 1	344
  Intermediate: 1	298
  Middle/Jr. High: 1	475
  High Schools: 1	537
  Private: 2	60

  EDUCATION

  AREA UNIVERSITIES/COLLEGES

  Jacksonville College	Jacksonville, TX
  Lon Morris College	Jacksonville, TX
  Stephen F. Austin University	Nacogdoches, TX
  Tyler Junior College	Tyler, Tx
  University of Texas at Tyler	Tyler, TX
  State Industrial Job Training:	Yes
  Vocational Program:	Yes

  COMMUNITY INFORMATION

  • HEALTH CARE

    Total Hospital Beds in City:	0
    Total Doctors (Medical) in City:	4

     

  • MEDIA

    Papers:	1 - weekly	1 - monthly
    Radio Stations:	1
    TV Stations/TV Cable:	Yes

  • CHURCHES

    Total Churches

    30

  • RECREATION

    3	Parks & Camping Facilities
    2	Area Lakes
    0	Country Clubs
    1	Health Centers
    1	Public Golf Course
    1	Theatre - Liver Performances - ONLY 4 times a year
    5	Tennis Courts
    4	Bed n Breakfast Facilities
    73	Hotel & Motel Rooms
    1	Library (Singletary Memorial)
    1	Museum
    Other	Public Swimming pool, basketball court, baseball fields, live theatre

     

    AREA ATTRACTIONS

    Texas State Railroad, Texas State Railroad Camping Park, Jim Hogg Park, Butler Park, Rusk Footbridge, Caddoan Mounds State Historical Park, Lake Jacksonville, Lake Striker, Lake Palestine, Mission Tejas State Park, Shiloh ridge ATV Off Road Park, Mud Creek Off Road Park & KOA Kampground

    CLIMATE

    66F	Annual Average Temperature
    94F	Mo. Average High Temperature
    38F	Mo. Average Low Temperature
    44.6"	Annual Average Precipitation
    1.5"	Annual Average Snowfall
    489'	Elevation

    FINANCE

    903-683-2254	Austin Bank
    903-683-2277	Citizens 1st Bank
    903-683-2527	Cherokee County Federal Credit Union
    903-683-2630	Cherokee County Teachers Federal Credit Union
    903-683-2286	Prosperity Bank
    903-683-8899	Texas National Bank

    MAJOR AREA EMPLOYERS

    # OF EMPLOYEES (Approx.)	MAJOR EMPLOYER	SPECIALIZATION
    950	Rusk State Hospital	State, Medical
    950	Texas Department of Criminal Justice	State, Prison
    325	Rusk  ISD	School
    175	Cherokee County	Government
    120	Hilton Services LP	Row & Property Clearing
    120	Etech RMS	Call Center, Billing & Receivables Mgmt.
    34	City of Rusk	Government
    31	East Texas Medical Center	Medical
    30	Good Times Wood Company	Firewood
    30	Texas State Railroad	Tourism
    25	Natural Earth Technologies	Mulch & Landscape Material

    

    

     

    2010 Traffic Count Map
    Intersection	2010	2009	Up/Down	% Inc/Dec
    US Hwy 69 (North) of intersection of US Hwy 84 Intersection	10,200	9,800	400	3.92%
    US Hwy 69 (South) of intersection of US Hwy 84 Intersection	8,700	8,400	300	3.45%
    US Hwy 84 (East) of intersection of US Hwy 69 Intersection	5,000	4,900	100	2.00%
    US Hwy 84 (West) of intersection of US Hwy 69 Intersection	2,900	2,800	100	3.45%
    US Hwy 69 (North) of RSH Entrance	10,600	10,000	600	5.66%
    Main St (FM 752) at intersection of US Hwy 69	5,100	5,000	100	1.96%
    US Hwy 84 (West) & intersection of Main St	5,700	5,000	700	12.28%
    US Hwy 84 (West) & intersection of FM 343	3,200	2,800	400	12.50%
    FM 343 (West) & intersection of US Hwy 69	7,400	7,100	300	4.05%
    Main St (FM 752) at intersection of 4th St	2,400	2,300	100	4.17%

  
  
  Facts about our community - Wikipedia [external link]