Keeprite breaks ground at Kilgore's Synergy Park for $55m expansion (2024)

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...The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Texas...Attoyac Bayou Near Chireno affecting San Augustine, Rusk, Shelbyand Nacogdoches Counties.For the Attoyac Bayou...including Chireno...Minor flooding isforecast.PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...Do not drive cars through flooded areas.Caution is urged when walking near riverbanks.Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flooddeaths occur in vehicles.For more hydrologic information, copy and paste the following websiteaddress into your favorite web browser URL bar:https://water.noaa.gov/wfo/SHVThe next statement will be issued Saturday morning at 1030 AM CDT.&&...FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE...* WHAT...Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast.* WHERE...Attoyac Bayou near Chireno.* WHEN...Until further notice.* IMPACTS...At 19.0 feet, Expect minor lowland flooding of boatramps and pastures. Move livestock and equipment to higher ground.* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...- At 9:30 AM CDT Friday the stage was 18.9 feet.- Bankfull stage is 14.0 feet.- Recent Activity...The maximum river stage in the 24 hoursending at 9:30 AM CDT Friday was 20.2 feet.- Forecast...The river is expected to fall to 15.1 feetWednesday morning.- Flood stage is 14.0 feet.- Flood History...This crest compares to a previous crest of19.0 feet on 04/10/1947.- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood&&

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...The Flood Warning is extended for the following rivers in Texas...Mud Creek Near Jacksonville affecting Smith, Cherokee, Rusk andNacogdoches Counties.For the Mud Creek...including Jacksonville...Minor flooding isforecast.PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...Do not drive cars through flooded areas.Caution is urged when walking near riverbanks.Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flooddeaths occur in vehicles.For more hydrologic information, copy and paste the following websiteaddress into your favorite web browser URL bar:https://water.noaa.gov/wfo/SHVThe next statement will be issued Saturday morning at 1015 AM CDT.&&...FLOOD WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL EARLY SUNDAY MORNING...* WHAT...Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast.* WHERE...Mud Creek near Jacksonville.* WHEN...Until early Sunday morning.* IMPACTS...At 10.0 feet, Minor lowland flooding.* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...- At 9:00 AM CDT Friday the stage was 9.6 feet.- Bankfull stage is 9.0 feet.- Recent Activity...The maximum river stage in the 24 hoursending at 9:00 AM CDT Friday was 10.6 feet.- Forecast...The river is expected to fall below flood stagetomorrow morning and continue falling to 7.6 feet Wednesdaymorning.- Flood stage is 9.0 feet.- Flood History...This crest compares to a previous crest of9.6 feet on 05/07/1969.- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood&&

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...The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Texas...Sabine River Near Beckville affecting Gregg, Rusk, Harrison andPanola Counties.For the Sabine River...including Beckville...Minor flooding isforecast.PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...Do not drive cars through flooded areas.Caution is urged when walking near riverbanks.Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flooddeaths occur in vehicles.Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drivecars through flooded areas.For more hydrologic information, copy and paste the following websiteaddress into your favorite web browser URL bar:https://water.noaa.gov/wfo/SHVThe next statement will be issued Saturday morning at 1000 AM CDT.&&...FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE...* WHAT...Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast.* WHERE...Sabine River near Beckville.* WHEN...Until further notice.* IMPACTS...At 30.0 feet, Expect moderate to severe flooding of thelowland floodplain for the next several days.* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...- At 8:45 AM CDT Friday the stage was 28.8 feet.- Bankfull stage is 25.0 feet.- Recent Activity...The maximum river stage in the 24 hoursending at 8:45 AM CDT Friday was 29.3 feet.- Forecast...The river is expected to fall to 29.5 feetWednesday morning.- Flood stage is 26.0 feet.- Flood History...This crest compares to a previous crest of29.3 feet on 05/04/1991.- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood&&

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...The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Texas...Sabine River At Longview affecting Gregg and Rusk Counties.For the Sabine River...including Longview...Moderate flooding isforecast.PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...Do not drive cars through flooded areas.Caution is urged when walking near riverbanks.Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flooddeaths occur in vehicles.Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drivecars through flooded areas.For more hydrologic information, copy and paste the following websiteaddress into your favorite web browser URL bar:https://water.noaa.gov/wfo/SHVThe next statement will be issued Saturday morning at 1000 AM CDT.&&...FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE...* WHAT...Minor flooding is occurring and moderate flooding isforecast.* WHERE...Sabine River at Longview.* WHEN...Until further notice.* IMPACTS...At 35.0 feet, Expect severe flooding of several thousandacres of river bottom along with petroleum equipment, secondaryroadways, and several structures. Preparations should be completedfor a major flooding event.* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...- At 9:00 AM CDT Friday the stage was 29.1 feet.- Bankfull stage is 25.0 feet.- Recent Activity...The maximum river stage in the 24 hoursending at 9:00 AM CDT Friday was 29.1 feet.- Forecast...The river is expected to rise to 34.7 feet earlyWednesday morning. Additional rises are possible thereafter.- Flood stage is 25.0 feet.- Flood History...This crest compares to a previous crest of34.7 feet on 03/16/2016.- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood&&

  • By Lucas Strough

    Lucas Strough

    Reporter

    I'm an East Texas native with degrees from University of North Texas and Kilgore College. I've been reporting and taking photographs for Kilgore News Herald since May 2018. Telling the story of a growing and changing community is the best part of my job.

    • Author email

A large crowd braved steady rain at Synergy Park in Kilgore this week to hold a groundbreaking ceremony for a $55 million expansion by commercial refrigeration manufacturer Keeprite.

The company, which was previously based in Longview, plans to add dozens of new jobs over the years at the new facility, which will include modern amenities for employees as well as expanded production facilities.

The event was attended by local elected officials, employees and representatives from Arco Construction, the project contractor.

Bryan Johnston, president of the board of directors of Kilgore Economic Development Corporation, spoke to the crowd sheltering from the rain under a portable awning.

“Today is an exciting day. This is obviously a very big day for Keeprite, for their employees, for KEDC and for the entire community. Today’s groundbreaking commences construction on a state-of-the-art facility for Keeprite on this vast 70.4-acre tract,” Johnston said.

He noted three takeaways he wanted to share about the expansion: it represents a “very significant investment,” with the initial phase of the three-phase expansion set to erect a 470,000 square foot facility with a real and property investment of at least $55 million. Additional phases call for further expansions, to approximately 1 million square feet.

“This relocation is expected to bring 60 additional job opportunities over the next 10 years, boosting local employment, diversifying our economic base and stimulating our growth,” Johnston said, noting Keeprite currently employs more than 200 people.

He also pointed out the “innovative and modern campus design” of the forthcoming facility, which will include a 1-mile walking trail for employees, as well as a 10-acre green space and various sports and exercise amenities.

Mayor Ronnie Spradlin congratulated Keeprite representatives and employees and called the expansion a boon for the community.

“I think it says a lot about this company that all their employees are here for this groundbreaking. I’ve never this many employees come to a groundbreaking before. Kilgore is so very proud to have Keeprite located here. This flagship facility is something that Kilgore can take pride in and be grateful for for many years to come,” Spradlin said.

Sam Oates, the project manager from Arco Design-Build, thanked everyone for their work on the project and described how the new expansion will benefit the area.

“This represents vision. It represents opportunity. Today we get to ring the bell on that vision, that expansion and prosperity in this specific site. There are a lot of jobs being created for this community, a community that Keeprite has been very entrenched in for a long time,” Oates said.

According to information from KEDC, Tersco Property Management Ltd. / Keeprite Refrigeration, Inc. considered Kilgore for a previous expansion back in 2017, but the company eventually opted to grow in place on its existing site on FM2011 in Longview. Years later, in January 2023, the landlocked manufacturing outfit turned its eye again to open ranges south, aiming to eventually enclose 1 million square feet on 70-acres off KEDC’s Alliance Way in the years ahead.

“Founded in 2008 in Longview with just 18 employees, Keeprite Refrigeration, Inc. has grown dramatically over the years,” according to Frank Xu, Executive Vice President. “Today, we boast a dedicated team of nearly 200 professionals. Our collaboration with Keeprite Refrigeration in Canada has positioned us at the forefront of the commercial refrigeration industry in North America.”

The company is relocating to Lot 22 on Synergy Park’s Alliance Way – the 70.4-acre tract will be owned by Tersco Property Management with Keeprite Refrigeration’s coming facilities occupying the bulk of the space.

A number of easem*nts have been cleared from the site since Fall 2023, and the company officially closed on the property April 16. Keeprite Refrigeration is selecting three frontline employees to actually turn the dirt in a groundbreaking ceremony planned for early June.

“They want their employees in the spotlight,” said KEDC Executive Director Lisa Denton. “I think that speaks volumes about their company culture.”

Likewise, 10 acres of the property acquisition was included after a special request by Xu.

“This particular, small piece of Synergy Park is more of a green space, with topography issues and other challenging elements that would make traditional development difficult,” Denton said, “but it happens to be perfect for the employee-and-family use Keeprite Refrigeration has in mind.”

The City of Kilgore and Kilgore College initially awarded abatement incentives to Tersco Property Management / Keeprite Refrigeration. Gregg County joined in with more rebate-based tax incentives last Fall, moving the project forward. Even with tax incentives in place, the project is still poised to generate an estimated $10.8 million in property tax revenue in the coming decade from the Company’s expansion.

According to Denton, as the company is currently located in a neighboring community, incentive values were based not on Keeprite Refrigeration’s current employment or personal property values but, rather, on anticipated development: “Only new investment values were taken into consideration.”

The company’s current full-time employment base is 153 – the incentivized plan is to add 60 more full-time spots during the 10-year contract period.

Keeprite Refrigeration’s current personal property (figured at almost $7.3 million) will be relocated to the new site within one year of project completion.

“They’ll end up being the largest building in Synergy Park once they get all three phases done,” Denton noted, though that timeline is to be determined.

— Lucas Strough can be reached at lstrough@kilgorenewsherald.com.

Lucas Strough

Reporter

I'm an East Texas native with degrees from University of North Texas and Kilgore College. I've been reporting and taking photographs for Kilgore News Herald since May 2018. Telling the story of a growing and changing community is the best part of my job.

  • Author email

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Keeprite breaks ground at Kilgore's Synergy Park for $55m expansion (2024)

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