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 five-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!
2010 Community Profile
(Revised: 2/2010)
Cherokee County - City of Rusk
POPULATION
| Year |
2008 (est.) |
2000 |
| City |
5,312 |
5,085 |
| County |
48,321 |
46,659 |
GOVERNMENT, CITY
| Type: |
Home Rule |
| Number of Council: |
6 |
| Municipal Police: |
9 |
| Paid Firemen: |
3 |
| Volunteer Firemen: |
30 |
| City Zoning Body: |
Yes |
| Master Plan: |
Yes |
INCENTIVES
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. |
TRANSPORTATION
AIR SERVICE
Nearest Airport:
-
Skyways Aero Inc.
| Municipal: |
Air Center 6 Miles |
| Runway Length: |
5,000 ft |
| Runway Surface: |
Asphalt |
| Lighted: |
Yes |
| Fuel: |
Jet A & AV Gass 100 LL |
| Instrument. Landing Sys.: |
Precision Instrument Approach & NDB |
Regional Airports
Within 1 Hour:
-
Tyler Pounds Field, (TYR) Tyler, TX 45 Miles
-
Gregg County Regional Airport (GGG) Longview, TX 55 Miles
Airports
within 3 hours:
Regional:
- Shreveport Regional Airport, (SHV) Shreveport, LA 110 Miles
International:
- Bush Intercontinental
Airport (IAH) Houston, TX 155 Miles
- Dallas/Fort Worth Airport (DFW) Dallas, TX 160 Miles
- Dallas Love Field (Love Field) Dallas, TX 186 Miles
FREIGHT
CARRIERS
- Central
Freight
- Merchants
- Roadway Express
- Yellow Freight
TAXATION
2009 TAX RATE (PER $100 ASSESSED VALUE)
| Cherokee County: |
$0.560000 |
| Rusk, City: |
$0.482500 |
| Rusk ISD: |
$1.157500 |
|
TOTAL: |
$2.200000 |
| Municipal Sales Tax: |
1% |
| Economic Development Sales Tax: |
1/2% |
| County Sales Tax: |
1/2% |
| State Sales Tax: |
6-1/4% |
WAGE DATA
|
OCCUPATIONAL TITLE |
Entry Level |
|
Production Classifications |
Low |
High |
| Aircraft
Mechanic |
12.50 |
15.50 |
| Assembler,
General |
5.15 |
8.00 |
| Electrician |
5.50 |
16.00 |
| Electronics
Assembler |
6.00 |
6.50 |
| Forklift
Operator |
5.15 |
7.77 |
| Janitor (any
industry) |
5.15 |
7.77 |
| Laborer,
General |
5.15 |
9.17 |
|
Machinist/Related Occupation |
6.50 |
16.30 |
| Maintenance,
General |
5.15 |
12.50 |
| Mechanic
(Maintenance) |
5.15 |
14.42 |
| Molding Machine
Operator |
6.00 |
8.00 |
| Sewing Machine
(Garment) |
5.15 |
5.50 |
| Sheet Metal
Worker |
6.00 |
12.00 |
| Truck Driver,
LT. (any industry) |
5.15 |
10.50 |
| Warehouse
Worker |
5.15 |
10.00 |
| Welder,
Production |
5.15 |
17.00 |
| Accountant /
Auditor |
6.00 |
16.85 |
| Computer
Operator |
6.00 |
12.65 |
| Customer
Service Rep. |
5.15 |
8.00 |
| Electronic
Technician |
5.50 |
12.00 |
| General Office
Clerk |
5.15 |
9.34 |
| Key Data Entry
Operator |
5.25 |
9.00 |
| Secretarial |
5.15 |
10.34 |
| Shipping & Rec.
Clerk |
5.15 |
10.00 |
| Telemarketing |
5.15 |
7.00 |
UTILITIES
ELECTRIC ENERGY DELIVERY: Oncor Electric
Delivery
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: (2009-2010) $14,653,075.
Schools Enrollment
| Primary:
1 |
369 |
| Elementary: 1 |
284 |
| Middle/Jr. High: 1 |
473 |
| High Schools: 1 |
541 |
| Intermediate: 1 |
292 |
| 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 |
|
- 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 |
| 290 |
Rusk
ISD |
School |
| 175 |
Cherokee County |
Government |
| 95 |
Hilton
Services LP |
Row & Property Clearing |
| 75 |
Etech
RMS |
Call Center, Billing &
Receivables Mgmt. |
| 40 |
New
Birmingham Resources |
Mining |
| 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 |
| |
|
|
Facts about our community - Wikipedia [external link]
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