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PEDC Minutes <br />March 20, 2002 <br />Page 2 <br />very weak as there were only five responses. He said that one prospect had been <br />referred to the PEDC from the Texas Department of Economic Development. <br />This project is being called the RV because is has to do with a company that <br />builds recreational vehicles. <br />On February 15, 2002, there was a meeting in Sherman with Todd Thompson <br />who represents Encore (formerly TXCT). Mr. Thompson was meeting with the <br />EDC's in his service area. Mr. Thompson made a presentation about what <br />Encore can do to help with economic development efforts and regional <br />marketing. <br />Mr. Vest was in San Diego, California, for the Market Texas Program on <br />February 20 through 22, 2002. He met with bio-tech companies. He said he <br />met with five companies and they employed ten to twenty people each. There <br />was one company fairly interested in doing something in Texas, but primarily <br />they are looking for opportunities to expand with other bio-tech companies. <br />On February 27 through 28, 2002, he went to Lufkin for a meeting of the Texas <br />Department of Transportation Commission meeting. Mr. Don Wall made a <br />presentation on behalf of the East Texas Gulf Highway Association and did an <br />outstanding job. Mr. Vest said the group had very positive feedback Several <br />of the Board Members met with Johnny Johnson, Chairman of the Commission, <br />who came to Paris and met with the group at Paris Golf and Country Club. Mr. <br />Vest noted that the evening meeting was very productive, and was an <br />opportunity for transportation supporters in Paris and local officials to meet with <br />Chairman Johnson personally. Mr. Vest advised the Board that they have not <br />received a letter from TxDOT to tell them what TxDOT is going to do for the <br />PEDC. Mr Vest advised that they are expecting to get positive results because <br />of the million and one-half dollars that Congressman MaY Sandlin committed <br />from Congress on the highway from Paris to Pattonville, which was our number <br />one request. Mary Owen, TxDOT District Engineer based in Tyler has <br />committed eight million dollars from her discretionary fund toward getting that <br />portion of State Highway 135 between Gladewater and Kilgore completed. That <br />