The Paris Economic Development Corporation (PEDC), in partnership with Rural Development Partners (RDP), proudly announces the first two recipients of a new workforce training initiative through the RDP Community Investment Program.

Left to right: Rhett Powell, Keaton Howard, Kathie Gentry, Clark Smith, Ashton Johnson

In 2022, Delco Trailers received a Capital Investment Plan (CIP) grant from the RDP in recognition of its expansion and to support workforce development in Lamar County. With $90,000 in funding from RDP matched by Delco, resources have been dedicated to training and upskilling workers, providing a direct pathway to high-quality employment opportunities in Lamar County.

The leadership and oversight of the program have been entrusted to the newly established Community Advisory Board, facilitated by PEDC and comprised of representatives from local school systems, Paris Junior College (PJC), and Texas Workforce Solutions. The board ensures these funds are deployed strategically to meet real-world workforce needs and create a skilled talent pipeline.

The first recipients of this program, Clark Smith and Keaton Howard, graduates of Prairiland ISD, are now proudly employed at AMERICAN SpiralWeld Pipe Company. Howard shared his positive experience: “The program has given me a new set of personal and hands-on skills. I’ve learned way more with the hands-on experience American SpiralWeld has provided. When I first started, I was shy and didn’t say much. My communication skills have improved, and I feel more confident talking to others, using the handheld radios, and asking questions.”

“Clark has grown tremendously over the past 11 months as a team member and a person,” said Clark Smith’s Supervisor, Greg Pilkington. “He’s learned every area, has operated almost every machine, and even set a new company record for the most cut miters.”

The program aims to support skilled workforce development through incentivizing training facilities and the local workforce. Trainees must complete industry-certified training programs, maintain employment for a minimum of 60 days, and achieve successful evaluations. Businesses like American SpiralWeld Pipe Company are already experiencing the benefits of this initiative by securing skilled talent, emphasizing the effectiveness and reach of this program.

“This initiative is a direct investment in our region’s future,” said Maureen Hammond, PEDC Executive Director. “By aligning education with local industry needs, we are helping ensure our students have the skills and support to secure high-quality employment right here in Paris.”

The ultimate goal of the program is to create a vibrant workforce ecosystem that supports local businesses and empowers individuals in the community. Expected outcomes include equipping training facilities to meet industry certification standards, increasing funding for training programs, rewarding training sites with high placement success rates, and, most importantly, creating economic opportunities for the region.

For companies in need of welders or agricultural mechanics, PEDC invites you to join this ongoing workforce development initiative. Call 903-784-6964 to learn how to become an approved employer participating in the program.

Together, with the shared vision of key stakeholders and through strategic investments, this initiative is set to have a lasting impact on workforce development and economic growth in Lamar County.