VALLEY VISIONS: BUSINESS & INDUSTRY Index of advertisers Advanced Automotive....................... 19 Agriland............................................... 27 Alamo Museum..................................... 6 Altaterra............................................... 23 Ballard Insurance Agency.................. 14 Campbell Soup................................... 25 Cato Paint & Body.............................. 15 Century 21 – Executive Realty..... 19, 23 Century 21 – Harvey Properties... 12, 23 Chiropractic Associates...................... 19 Coldwell Banker.................................. 23 Complete Care Clinic......................... 13 Cooper Propane................................. 26 Cunningham Equipment.................... 20 David’s Meat Market........................... 13 Dr. Regina Easlon................................ 22 Dr. Robert Sutherland........................... 4 Dubois Hospital.................................. 21 Endsley Bookkeeping........................... 6 First Federal Community Bank............ 2 Flower Mart......................................... 15 Gene the Jeweler................................. 3 Germania Insurance Agency.............. 21 Healthy Wise....................................... 15 Home Oxygen..................................... 18 Honda of Paris.................................... 16 Huhtamaki............................................. 5 J. Skinner............................................... 9 Jamar Contractors.............................. 22 Kidney Disease & Dialysis.................. 15 Kimberly Clark....................................... 2 Kruse AC & Heat................................. 20 La Ti Doll............................................. 15 Legend Health Care........................... 27 Liberty National Bank......................... 12
Lone Star Collision.............................. 22 McQueen Propane............................... 4 Mommy & Me..................................... 15 Nathan Bell Realty.............................. 23 North East Texas Clinic of Chiropratic........................ 12 Office Equipment Center................... 21 Paris Chamber of Commerce............ 18 Paris Ford.............................................. 8 Paris Glass & Mirror.............................. 4 Paris Junior College........................... 17 Paris Medical Spa............................... 11 Paris Monuments................................ 16 Paris Real Estate........................... 14, 23 Paris Regional Medical Center............ 7 Paris Economic Development Corp................................................. 28 Physician’s Choice............................... 15 Power Jack.......................................... 19 Professional Business Systems............ 6 Red River Region Business Incubator.......................... 24 Red River Valley Fair Association....... 11 Schlotzsky’s Deli.................................. 15 Scott’s Collision................................... 14 Signature Home Health....................... 6 SoHo Salon.......................................... 15 SoHo Spa Bar...................................... 15 Stone Title............................................. 3 Texas Tumbling................................... 14 Toyota of Paris..................................... 10 Turner Industries................................. 10 Wells Fargo......................................... 20 White’s Flooring.................................. 26 Zamora Insurance Agency................. 13
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SUNDAY
MAY 5, 2013
Business and industry keep the Red River Valley strong
t’s difficult to point toward one specific thing a community relies on for support, growth and stability. After all, the best foundations run deep and wide. At the heart, though, a community stands firmly on the shoulders of its businesses and industries. From mom and pop establishments to expansive industry, the dedication of those companies to the Red River Valley is massive and never-ending. Our jobs come from our business and industries, but that’s just the basics and just the beginning. The products we produce become a source of pride, allowing our community to brag worldwide about Campbell Soup, Turner Industries, Kimberly-Clark, our newest family member, J. Skinner, and so many others. And, the area is growing. Thanks to the continued efforts of the Paris Economic Development Corp. and the
J.D. Davidson
jdavidson@theparisnews.com
Red River Region Business Incubator, Paris and Lamar County maintains a steady growth, one that doesn’t overly tax its infrastructure, yet provides new opportunities and a higher quality of life. The growth can be seen along the Loop as new retail businesses and restaurants are popping up, and Paris Towne Center continues to evolve and add opportunities for shoppers throughout the valley. And, of course, Paris Regional Medical Center’s significant expansion was recently completed. The area is also seeing development in our major existing industries as Campbells Soup, Turner Industries and Kimberly-
3
Clark remain strong and progressive. Paris Junior College goes above and beyond in helping meet the need for new skills for a new workforce, which remains one of the most attractive benefits to new and existing businesses in the region. Unfortunately, too often we fail to appreciate just how much we lean on our businesses and how much they give back to our community. Whether it is charitable organizations, special causes, schools, churches or countless other needs within the community, our businesses and industries are always there when called upon to lend a hand or to supply funding. For that, a much-deserved thank you is more than overdue. — J.D. Davidson is the editor and publisher of The Paris News. Follow him on Twitter @parisnews_ jd.
PJC readies students for careers in healthcare PJC Health Occupations Training
sally boswell
sally.boswell@theparisnews.com
Paris Junior College is building for the future of the workforce in Northeast Texas with a variety of technical and workforce courses of study. One area of the Workforce Education Division is the health occupations courses — Nursing, Emergency Medical Services, Medical Records Coding, Radiology Technology and Surgical Technology. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in the health care industry will increase by 28 percent by 2020. An aging population will push demand for health care professionals, creating 5.7 million new jobs. The BLS also says wages for health care workers will rise 27 percent through 2014. “Workforce training is a priority at PJC these days,” said Marcia Putnam, director of health
occupations at PJC. “The community needs workers and our students can graduate on a Friday and go to work on a Monday. Many already have jobs to go to when they leave the programs.” Graduates of PJC’s health occupations courses are certified in their courses of study at the state or national level and can begin making a living within a short period of time at entry level positions. As they work, graduates can avail themselves of further training and advancement opportunities to increase their earning power. New heath care workers can find jobs in a variety of settings, from hospitals to doctors offices and clinics for surgical and radiology techs; fire departments, public or private emergency services for EMS and paramedic graduates; and a wide variety of setting for nurses. Medical coding graduates can often work
from home. “These courses are perfect for displaced workers and those looking for a second or even a third a career,” said Putnam. “We have students fresh out of high school, retirees and workers who have been laid off.” According to Putnam, the medical field is a stable profession and outlook for jobs in the field is good for years to come, and with training at PJC in the health occupations division a student could be employed within a year or two, depending on the course of study, without traveling far from home. Putnam also said the health occupations division will be offering a new class in the months ahead. The Enhanced Certified Nurse Aide program combines a number of classes already offered at PJC on the continuing education level in an academically recognized program that will train graduates in nurse aide
care in a acute care setting, with phlebotomy skills included. Graduates will be state certified and will be much more mar-
ketable nurse aides able to function in a variety of areas. For more information on the requirements,
schedules and tuitions for the heath occupations program at PJC, call the college at 903-785-7661 or visit parisjc.edu.
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Submitted photo
EMT students at Paris Junior College get classroom training followed by hands-on experience in the program.
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