Upshur County Economic Development manager Ronnie Morrison and Richard Stolle, chairman of the county’s Economic Development committee, met Thursday with Gilmer School Supt. Rick Albritton, and representatives from Kilgore College to tour Gilmer High School facilities with the idea of offering Adult Continuing Education programs in Gilmer.

The committee has been working with Kilgore College in an effort to bring college programs to Gilmer. Albritton and Gilmer ISD have been enthusiastic in support of the program by making the Gilmer High School facilities available to the Upshur County E.D.C. and Kilgore College.

Barker Hale, Terry Booker and Gem Meacham met with the local officials to discuss facilities, programs and a plan to begin to schedule courses that can be offered in Gilmer.

The Upshur County E.D.C. surveyed the community and several local businesses to get an idea of what the needs are in Upshur County with regard to college courses.

“The idea of the surveys were to get an indication as to what college courses our local citizens would like to see in Upshur County,” said Stolle.

“Our Board of Directors has been in support of establishing the college programs in Gilmer and Upshur County,” Stolle continued.

“We are in the business of trying to retain and create jobs in this area. We believe that having the college courses offered in our own county is a big step in providing opportunities for our existing businesses to take part in job training for their employees; for Upshur County to market the availability of college programs in Upshur County in an effort to promote the expansion of existing businesses. as well as serving as a big plus as we continue to develop our community profile,” he said.

“Prospective businesses look at all areas of a community when looking to expand or relocate. Having a college presence in our county will be a plus in many areas, including business and job recruitment,” Stolle said.

“The economic development business surveys indicated that there is a desire for computer classes, including programs from the basic getting started with a computer, introduction to computers, keyboarding, learning the various computer programs and others,” according to Barker Hale, Kilgore College Longview Center director.

“The programs are reasonably priced,” Hale indicated. “For example, an 8-hour computer course will be offered for $49 and tuition for an 18-hour more-advanced program would be $95.”

The college representatives, along with the local economic development education committee and Gilmer ISD officials will continue to plan the programs that could begin here at early as February, 2010.