The Tyler Economic Development Council, Inc. (TEDC) was formed in 1989 to help diversify the Tyler/Smith County economy by retaining and attracting primary jobs and investment to the area. Since its inception, the TEDC has helped create more than 7,368 new jobs, retain 8,461 jobs, and add over $478 million in new investment to the area. The TEDC is primarily funded with help from the business community.