What's new in Marshall

In its third year, the Annual Career Expo sponsored by Marshall Economic Development in partnership with Workforce Solutions East Texas continues to grow while expanding career horizons for high school students living in Marshall and the surrounding communities. Each year, the career expo strives to present future workers with the range of local opportunities available. For 2025, it encouraged students to “Imagine your future” here and brought together 43 Marshall area businesses and schools.Career Expo focuses on job exposureCareer Expo zeroes in on career exposure – it’s not a job fair. Instead, it bridges the gap between employers, educators, and students. Students...

Marshall Economic Development spearheaded numerous efforts to support Marshall businesses and employment in 2024. These accomplishments and goals for 2025 took center stage at the first Annual Meeting and Luncheon for MED held on January 29. Over 160 attendees joined with MED leadership at the Marshall Mercantile to honor outgoing board members and learn about ongoing and new economic development initiatives over a catered lunch from High Horse by Shawne Summerford. A keynote from Carlton Schwab, President and CEO of the Texas Economic Development Council further developed these themes, leaving participants eager to implement new learnings in Marshall and the surrounding communities. Outgoing board...

Dr. Felecia Herndon, a Certified Economic Developer with over 15 years of experience, joined Marshall Economic Development in October as the Director of Finance and Strategic Initiatives. Herndon brings considerable expertise in managing incentive programs and program compliance to Marshall. She previously served as the Chief Operating Officer of the Tyler Economic Development Council.Joining Marshall Economic DevelopmentIn March 2024, Herndon served as a panelist at the Economic Summit in Marshall and met students participating in a leadership forum. She left very impressed by the program. After learning more about Marshall Economic Development and its goals through discussions with Rush Harris, Executive Director,...

The best internships prepare students for their future careers by providing on-the-job experience and skill development. At Marshall Economic Development, two fall semester interns chosen via a competitive search are closing this chapter in their education with a better understanding of Marshall and career opportunities in the community. Internships provide local businesses with workers eager to learn and can help grow Marshall’s skilled workforce through talent retention as former interns graduate from local colleges.Meet Marshall Economic Development’s fall 2024 internsAmber Thibodeaux, a graduating senior at East Texas Baptist University majoring in Marketing Management, is completing an internship in marketing, and David...

Meeting people in Marshall and building trust were a key part of Robert Andrade’s days after starting at Marshall Economic Development Corporation in October 2023. For the Business Retention-Expansion and Workforce Development Manager, confidence and local knowledge are essential for creating a growth environment for local businesses and the workforce. Andrade's role provides no-strings-attached assistance, a message he shares through words and action as he leads new and existing initiatives. “A lot of people ask why I’m helping them or what’s in it for me,” Andrade explained. “There is nothing in it for me beyond doing my job – supporting Marshall...

On September 17, 2024, Marshall Economic Development was presented with the ACTE Champion for Career and Technology Education Award by the Education Service Center Region 7 in Kilgore, Texas. The award was accepted by MED’s Executive Director, Rush Harris, CEcD, who commented to the regional gathering of education staff, faculty, and counselors, “Workforce development is our priority. Economic Development does not happen in silos. You all are economic developers and play a huge role in moving our region and workforce forward.” Charlotte Leon (MISD CTE Director) presented the award and noted several of the different ways that Marshall EDC has...

On August 26, 2024, Marshall Economic Development’s Rush Harris (CEcD, Executive Director) and Robert Andrade (Business Retention-Expansion and Workforce Development Manager) attended the Annual Texas Economic Development Corporation Conference in Austin, Texas. The conference theme was “The Future is Texas” and focused on “remembering the past, celebrating the present, and planning the future”. An Economic Development Corporation’s job is to seek ways to build and strengthen their community’s economy.  That is a tall order to do alone. Governor Greg Abbott attended and spoke during the conference. “In Texas, economic development is a team sport. It takes the work of many economic...

Black-owned businesses are an integral part of the economic fabric of communities across the United States. In Marshall, Texas, where a strong sense of local identity thrives, the support and promotion of Black-owned businesses are essential for economic development and fostering a more inclusive and diverse environment. As part of Diversity Awareness Month and Black-owned Business Month, it is crucial to highlight the challenges and opportunities Black entrepreneurs face and celebrate organizations that play a vital role in uplifting the Black business community.Angelita Jackson, Co-Director of the George Washington Carver Community Center, emphasizes how small businesses, especially those owned by...

The Importance of the OutdoorsThe great outdoors holds a special place in our lives, offering spaces for recreation, relaxation, and connection with nature. Parks and recreation facilities are not mere luxuries but essential components of a thriving community. They promote physical health, mental well-being, and social interaction, all contributing to a higher quality of life. Marshall, Texas, stands out with its robust parks and recreation system, providing residents and visitors diverse opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.Marshall's Robust Parks and Recreation SystemMarshall's dedication to offering exceptional parks and recreation facilities is evident in its well-maintained parks, such as City Arena and...

Statement from Rush Harris, CEcD, Executive Director of Marshall Economic DevelopmentMarshall, TX: “Marshall Economic Development (MED), the City of Marshall, and Harrison County local governments have been informed of the planned closure of Cabinetwork’s Master Woodcraft facility in September 2024.   We have contacted Cabinetworks and our workforce partners at Workforce Solutions East Texas to find solutions to help affected employees.  We will be analyzing the community impact as time moves on; however, right now, our focus and priority is working collaboratively with local partners to rapidly respond to employees who will be transitioning and upskilling for new employment opportunities.Fortunately,...

Celebrating Logistics: The Backbone of Economic DevelopmentNational Logistics Day, celebrated this year on June 28th, highlights the importance of logistics in our daily lives and its critical role in economic development. This day acknowledges the intricate processes and systems that ensure the seamless movement of goods and services from origin to destination. In Marshall, Texas, this celebration is significant given the city's strategic location and robust infrastructure, making it a key player in logistics and transportation.Understanding Logistics and Its ImportanceLogistics encompasses the detailed coordination of complex operations involving people, facilities, and supplies. It is the backbone of any economy, enabling...

Prysmian Group and its Marshall plant (formerly known as General Cable) will host a job fair Wednesday at the Marshall Convention Center. The job fair takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is free and open to the public. Prysmian broke ground over the summer on a $50 million expansion project, which is scheduled to be complete next summer. The project will expand the Marshall facility to over one million square feet and create 75 new positions including machine operators, logistics and skilled trades. “As we continue our growth in the region, we are proud...

Texas State Technical College’s Marshall campus held the first of its two-day community open house on Friday. Visitors toured various programs offered on campus, including automation and controls technology, diesel equipment technology, precision machining technology and others. “If you want a good-paying job, you go to college,” said Donnie Tribble, of White Oak, whose son, Cobi, plans to study computer programming technology at TSTC. John Grubbs brought his son, Parker, from Jefferson, to visit the electrical lineworker technology program. “I want to see him try to figure out what will give him the most passion in...

Texas State Technical College in Marshall students will have a new piece of machinery to work with later this summer after a special delivery was made at the campus on Tuesday. TSTC Marshall Provost Bart Day was on hand with Precision Machining Technology Instructor Danny Nixon and other campus administrators and staff on Tuesday as the college received a new UMC 500 Haas CNC machine. The 12,500 pound, $170,000, 5-axis machine was delivered to the campus and will now have Haas representatives sent out to the college to properly set up the machine before students will begin using...

Tuesday marked a milestone for Prysmian Group in Marshall as the company celebrated the groundbreaking of a $50 million expansion project in Harrison County. “That’s the biggest one we’ve seen in quite some time,” Rush Harris, executive director of Marshall Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO), said. Prysmian Group is one of the largest manufacturers of electric utility cable, powering the world. According to officials, Prysmian Group’s Harrison County plant, formerly known as General Cable, is its largest plant in North America and is where the bulk of the region’s renewable energy products are made...

Road signs are getting a serious upgrade and makeover as a Marshall company is leading the charge.  April Spears, President & CEO of Electrotechnics Corporation, known as ELTEC, has partnered with 511 Technologies Inc. to create smart signs known as the IoTraffic™ series.  The signs lit by flashing LED bulbs come in all varieties such as school zones, stop signs, flood warning, and the like; however, these signs communicate via cell, radio, or internet with each other and can be programed and monitored remotely.   Leading Change The game changing technology improves consistency and visibility while reducing downtime and...