Kilgore College will soon be offering courses in a satellite program in Gilmer. That’s the outcome of a recent survey of interests in educational services taken by the Upshur County Economic Development Office.

It was announced Thursday at a meeting was held at the U.C.E.D.C. office is located.

There were 10 members of the Economic Development Education Committee and three representatives of Kilgore College present.

Richard Stolle chairs the E.D.C. and the Education Committee. Members of the committee met with representatives from Kilgore College to discuss programs that will be offered in Gilmer in a satellite campus arrangement, Economic Development Director Ronnie Morrison said.

The meeting was the result of the E.D.C.’s plan to offer programs in Gilmer that could increase opportunities for job training, for traditional college courses that would be offered in Gilmer and for non-college credit enrichment programs that would be offered if the interest level is sufficient to put together classes in Gilmer, Morrison said.

The E.D.C. circulated education surveys during October to determine the interest level of local residents in college programs that would be offered in Gilmer.

More than 300 surveys were completed, with high interest levels in computer classes, in vocational training, residents who want to work toward a college degree, and more than 200 residents indicated that “they would like to explore new or rediscover old interests and activities for personal enrichment or enjoyment,” according to the survey.

He said that computer-knowledge courses rated high on the survey.

Almost half of the 320 surveys returned indicated an interest in computer-related courses, Morrison said.

“There was also interest expressed in risk management, and surprisingly, stress management,” he said.

Other areas of interest included welding and dancing, Morrison added.

Persons of virtually all ages filled out the surveys from age 17 to those who have reached retirement age at 66 or older.

“The next step as a result of the Education Committee meeting is to meet withGilmer I.S.D. officials to discuss the use of facilities, then meet with local business representatives in an attempt to determine what their needs might be for their employees and their businesses,” Morrison said.

Kilgore College has an interest in becoming more regional and offering programs in surrounding communities such as Gilmer, Henderson and others are the first steps in expanding their influence in East Texas, according to Ben Cammack, who is the Training Coordinator for the college.

Barker Hale of the Kilgore College Longview Center and Terry Booker, dean of Instructional Outreach, also met with the local Education Committee.

“Kilgore College is committed to this program in Gilmer and Upshur County, Stolle said. “We look forward to developing this local campus of the college and offering programs that will benefit business as well as our local citizens.”