Historic Palestine

❖
CITY OF
PALESTINE,
TEXAS
Top: The dedication of the
Rotary Clock.
Bottom: The entrance to Willow Creek
Business Park.
Continuing the city’s long-held tradition of
forward thinking and entrepreneurship, the city
of Palestine, today, is experiencing a surge of
economic energy and growth.
The city of Palestine has a municipal form of
government dedicated to equality, justice, and
the well-being of its people. Its focus is on
public safety, code enforcement, and maintenance
of its infrastructure and master plan.
It goes to great lengths to make the city a
great place to grow—both businesses and residents.
Palestine is a Main Street City, Certified
Retirement Community, Preserve America
Community, and Certified Local Government.
Along with Mayor Bob Herrington, the sixmember
council includes Adam Harding,
Vernon Denman, Jr., Vickey L. Chives, James H.
Yelverton, Andrea Baird, and Steve Presley.
A portion of sales tax revenue is earmarked
for the Palestine Economic Development
Corporation (EDC) to fund growth and
expansion of existing businesses. In addition,
the city provides incentives for large residential
and commercial development, as well as new
industry. Maintaining updated infrastructure is
one way the city is ready to welcome new
growth. EDC’s vision is to help Palestine be a
growing, healthy community with a diversified
economic base to enhance the quality of life.
Its mission is to provide the leadership and
resources to successfully compete for jobs and
enhance community wealth.
Within the six-county, 50-mile radius of
Palestine, the total labor force exceeds 100,000;
and the unemployment rate in Anderson
County alone, is a low 5.7 percent. The median
household income within a thirty-mile radius
is $37,410; and combined property tax rate in
the areas of city of Palestine, Anderson County,
Palestine ISD, Westwood ISD, and Trinity Valley
Community College are $2.47.438/$100.
Not relying on its rich history, but to draw
upon that history to further today’s growth,
Palestine, as a Main Street City, is seeing many
properties in its extensive historic districts
renovated and restored to their Victorian glory.
Many of those structures are now occupied by
boutiques and other unique businesses that
attract tourists.
When a State of Texas budget shortfall
threatened to close the 120-plus-year-old Texas
State Railroad in 2006, innovative, critical
thinkers in Palestine suggested the development
of the Texas State Railroad Authority, headed
by representatives of the city of Palestine and
the city of Rusk (both terminal cities for the
railroad), to manage the railroad and place it
under private operation, to increase riders, and
expand tourist traffic.
Rail was one of the earliest forms of
transport, but today, I-45 and I-20 are within
fifty-five miles of Palestine, making it an ideal
location for business and industry that must
engage in transporting goods to and from the
area. It is also served by commercial air service
at Pounds Field in nearby Tyler. Connections
from Pounds Field to Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW)
International Airport, 120 miles away, make it
ideal for travel anywhere.
7 4 ✦ H I S T O R I C P A L E S T I N E