Tyler-Longview, TX

Tyler is the commercial and cultural capital of the East Texas region. The area came to prominence with the huge oil boom of the 1920’s and 1930’s, and that wealth and exuberance left an imprint on the city core still evident today. Although petroleum and related industries are still important, the city has diversified both commercially and culturally. Businesses in food processing, cotton and cottonseed oil, furniture, machining, forest products and retail distribution have developed. More recently the area has evolved into a healthcare and retail hub for the region; today the economy is relatively strong. Longview has been growing, and home prices continue to rise. Some major sectors of the Longview economy include the East Texas Oil Field, services, technology, and manufacturing. In 2007, Longview added some major chain stores to its north side. The addition of Kohl s, two Starbucks, a new Target, a third Walmart supercenter on the south side, and a handful of hotels means Longview is becoming a regional hub for shopping.