Workforce Solutions Deep East Texas is proud to recognize Portacool as the region's 2024 Local Employer of Excellence. Ben Wulf, CEO, and Jennifer Wyatt, vice president of human resources, accepted the award at the Texas Workforce Commission's 27th annual Texas Workforce Conference held Dec. 4 through 6. Local Workforce Development Boards nominate employers that make a positive impact on workers, the community and the state through their partnerships with Texas Workforce Solutions.

Portacool portable evaporative coolers entered the marketplace in 1990 offering the first version of an evaporative cooler designed to provide economical, effective cooling whereever it was needed. Thirty years later, the company is a global leader in this business with distributors in 50 U.S. states and 56 countries. Located in Center, Portacool portable evaporative coolers are used in agricultural and horticultural applications, manufacturing, industrial, business, entertainment, sports, home and hobby - anywhere cooling is needed and traditional air conditioning is impractical or cost prohibitive. Portacool received a TWC Skills Development Grant in 2023 and started providing training to over 400 employees. The grant was interrupted in June 2023 when a large fire burned a portion of the facility. Although production never ceased, Workforce Solutions Deep East Texas was able to assist in the layoff and reemployment of many of the staff as Portacool rebuilds.

"More than 653,000 employers call Texas home, and businesses like Portacool are the engine driving Texas's economic success," said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Joe Esparza. "By tapping into resources offered through the Texas Workforce Solutions system, employers can help build a stronger, more skilled workforce."

Workforce Solutions Deep East Texas is among 28 Local Workforce Development Boards located throughout the state. The Board serves Angelina, Houston, Jasper, Nacogdoches, Newton, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Trinity and Tyler counties. Through partnerships with TWC and their communities, Workforce Boards meet the needs of Texas employers and workers through locally designed, market-driven workforce development initiatives and services. All employers and individuals can take advantage of these services.

For more information about resources available to Texas employers and job seekers, visit https://detwork.org/.