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949 <br />Mr. Vest-reported that the Paris Economic Development Corporation was able <br />to get the Chapman Revolving Loan Fund for SESACO. This enabled SESACO <br />to add a new dryer and building to their facility, and they merged with other <br />investors and became Sesame Solutions. <br />Mr. Vest advised the City Council that Paris Packaging received a $289,000.00 <br />training grant from the Skills Development Fund, which is coordinated through <br />the Texas Work Force Commission and Paris Junior College. <br />Mr. Vest said reported the closing of the Oliver Rubber Plant, which is not <br />good news. Mr. Vest presented the City Council with a brochure promoting the <br />sale of the Oliver Rubber Plant and they have mailed them all over the country. <br />Mr. Vest informed the City Council the acquisition of Earth Grains by Sara Lee <br />and stated that it would be important, but that, at this time, there has been no <br />effect on the operation of the plant. He said PEDC was working with the <br />company on an expansion to the plant. <br />Mr. Vest said they had acquired land from Union Pacific Railroad for Hydro <br />Conduit; which is the new name for CRS Wall Company, and facilitated the <br />transfer of that land through the Paris Industrial Foundation. <br />Mr. Vest discussed special projects that PEDC staff worked on throughout the <br />year. One special project was to attract jewelry manufacturers to various sites <br />in' Paris. This was a joint effort with Paris Junior College and the work would <br />continue. He told the Council that they had also looked at encouraging the <br />establishment of a watch repair facility. <br />They had done a direct mail campaign into California attempting to capitalize <br />on the energy crisis. Mr. Vest said they mailed out 32,000 post cards. Mr. Vest <br />advised they used newspaper advertising in the Houston Chronicle, Dallas <br />Morning News, and the Mercury News in California. He advised they have not <br />received a great deal in results from that effort, but they wanted to try something <br />different to try to bring attention to the Lamar Power Partners facility. <br />