KILGORE, TEXAS — November 11, 2025 — The Kilgore Economic Development Corporation (KEDC) has been awarded the Texas Economic Development Council (TEDC) 2025 Community Economic Development Award (CEDA) in recognition of the $97 million Camfil project that has transformed Kilgore’s industrial landscape and set a new benchmark for innovation and investment in East Texas.
National Recognition for Outstanding Community Impact
Presented during TEDC’s annual conference in San Antonio, the CEDA award honors exceptional community development initiatives across the state. Among 49 submissions this year, KEDC was selected as the top organization serving populations between 10,001 and 20,000 — a testament to Kilgore’s leadership in fostering business growth, workforce development, and sustainable economic progress.
Nominees were evaluated on five pillars of excellence: innovativeness, transferability, community commitment and leverage, measurable objectives, and secondary benefits.
A Record-Setting Partnership with Camfil
Camfil’s decision to invest $97 million in Kilgore represents the global air-filtration leader’s largest capital investment to date. The new 418,000-square-foot facility spans 43 acres in Synergy Park and will bring more than 226 new jobs to the East Texas region. The project highlights Kilgore’s competitive advantages — its pro-business environment, skilled workforce, and strategic location along major transportation corridors.
“Behind every site plan, incentive package, and groundbreaking ceremony are people whose lives change when new opportunities come to their community,” said Alan Pollard, KEDC Board President. “When one Camfil employee told us, ‘I needed this job,’ it reminded us of the real impact economic development has on families.”
Leadership Driving Long-Term Growth
This marks the second consecutive year KEDC has earned a TEDC CEDA award, underscoring the organization’s continued excellence in community development. Pollard credited KEDC Executive Director Lisa Denton and her team — Stephanie Moore, Katherine Kirkpatrick, and James Wright — along with board member Tyler Esters and key Camfil executives including Fredrik Westgard, President Americas; Shelly Lizyness, VP of Human Resources; Ricardo Viloria, Director of Operations; and Tanya Johnson, HR Manager.
Lizyness praised the City of Kilgore’s proactive approach, noting that KEDC “pulled out all the stops” to ensure the project’s success. “We’ve just received the keys to our new factory and are installing production equipment,” she said. “Very soon, we’ll proudly say more Camfil products are ‘Made in Texas.’”
A Global Leader Investing Locally
With 30 manufacturing sites worldwide, Camfil designs and produces advanced clean-air solutions used in hospitals, data centers, airports, power plants, and commercial facilities around the globe. The company’s latest expansion strengthens Kilgore’s position as a hub for advanced manufacturing and clean-technology innovation in Texas.
“KEDC’s work continues to demonstrate how local leadership and collaboration can attract world-class investment,” said Pollard. “This award affirms that Kilgore’s economic future is bright.”
About Kilgore Economic Development Corporation
The Kilgore Economic Development Corporation (KEDC) drives business attraction, retention, and expansion in Kilgore, Texas. Through strategic partnerships and forward-thinking initiatives, KEDC fosters a thriving economy built on innovation, opportunity, and community engagement.
About Camfil
Camfil is a global leader in air filtration and clean-air solutions with operations in over 30 countries. The company designs and manufactures advanced filtration systems that improve indoor air quality and promote sustainable environments for industries worldwide.
