Tyler, Texas

Tyler is the county seat of Smith County in East Texas; it is located roughly halfway between Dallas and Shreveport. The city is named for President John Tyler in recognition of his support for Texas' admission to the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 83,650.

Economy

In addition to its role in the rose-growing industry, Tyler is the headquarters for Brookshire Grocery Co. (website), which operates Brookshire's and Super 1 Foods supermarkets in four states. The company's main distribution center is located here, as is SouthWest Foods, a subsidiary that produces dairy products.

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The manufacturing sector includes:

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• Tyler Pipe, a subsidiary of McWane Inc. that produces soil and utility pipe products
• Kelly-Springfield, a tire producer
• Trane, a business of American Standard Companies, which manufactures air conditioners and heat pumps (this plant was originally built in 1955 by General Electric)
• Carrier, which manufactures air conditioners

Also produced in Tyler are John Soules Foods' fajita and other meat products; Distant Lands Coffee Roasters coffee (website); and Tyler Candle Co. jar candles, which are known for their strong fragrance.

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The location of the 2005 HGTV Dream Home on nearby Lake Tyler is expected to boost tourism in Tyler. The custom-designed, fully furnished home and its adjacent dock house have a combined heated and cooled area of about 6,500 square feet (600 m²). Tours of the home are available on select days January through April 2005; the winner of the $1.5 million prize package is to be announced in March.

Related Topics:
2005 - HGTV Dream Home

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