New restaurants, medical facilities to boost E. Texas economy

TYLER, TX (KLTV) - New restaurants and new businesses are continually making their way to Tyler, and city officials say more are on the way.

So far this year, Tyler development trends in 2016 are above the average for past five years.

In coming days, Stanley's Famous Pit Barbeque Owner, Nick Pencis, will open his second establishment in the City of Tyler.

"A lot of towns in a lot of places are really fighting for opportunities to grow," Pencis said.

But according to Pencis that's not the case here.

"It's growing in a way, where they are almost ahead of what's there to support the growth," Pencis said.

Economic experts say Tyler now has a variety of ways to bring wealth into the economy.

"We have a strong medical field. We have that strong medical part of our economy that's really great. Our university, you really see our diverse economy and that really helps Tyler," said City of Tyler Planning Director, Heather Nick.

Having that variety gives retailers, restaurateurs and consumers more confidence to bring their business to East Texas.
"As a regional hub, we see that activity coming into Tyler every day," Nick said.

Nick says the city had to adjust to meet the demand.

"We have been able to open up a couple of positions to meet that demand. We needed that building inspector, we needed that staff to meet that demand," Nick said.

Nick says restaurants like Twisted Root Burger Co. and Old Chicago Pizza are headed to Tyler. Medical company Fresenius Medical Care will break ground on a new facility next week.

"So we're seeing development happening in the north the west, the east, the south, which is great for our community to see the balanced growth," Nick said.

Business owners believe there is plenty of room for it.

"There are a lot of voids, a lot of niches that aren't being filled yet. So this is the time to take a step back and look at that. Where are we being underserved and in what way and how do you fill that?" Pencis said.

Fresenius Medical Care will have a ground breaking ceremony Wednesday.

Over the next two years officials say the facility could bring 350 new jobs to Tyler.

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