Portacool’s role in supporting local communities and workforce development

At Portacool, people are at the heart of our company. Our purpose is supporting the health, safety, and success of our employees, customers, and communities. As we’ve grown from a local business into a global leader in portable evaporative cooling solutions, we’ve remained deeply connected to our roots. That’s because our 35+ years of success are intertwined with our home in Center, Texas.   

Join us on this journey and see how our people-first philosophy comes to life through workforce development, manufacturing career opportunities, and community-centered corporate social responsibility.  

Investing in workforce development 

We distribute Portacool evaporative coolers across all 50 states and globally. Yet every single evaporative cooler we sell is made with pride, right here in Center, Texas. Staying close to our roots allows us to focus on our employees, supporting both their growth and safety. We don’t just create jobs. We help people build lasting careers in manufacturing and skilled trades. 

Internal growth and advancement 

At Portacool, we work, grow, and learn as a family. We’re honored to have employees like James Miles stay with us for 10, even 20, years. It’s a testament to our tight-knit culture and endless opportunities for career advancement in manufacturing. 

Our team members enjoy benefits like:  

• Supervisor training programs 
• College tuition reimbursement 
• Scholarships for our employees’ dependents 

Employee success stories 

We value our team members’ contributions and are committed to their success. Through our continued education and training benefits, we help people pursue their dreams. 

• Jasmine Goodwin joined us as an hourly team member in 2021. Since then, she’s completed our hourly supervisor training program and started college classes utilizing our tuition reimbursement program. She is currently a Quality Supervisor and expected to graduate in the early 2026.  
• Bianca Espino started as an HR administrator in 2020. With the support of our tuition reimbursement program, she was able to graduate from SFA in 2021 with a Bachelor’s in business. Now, she works as our HR supervisor. 

These two examples show just a small slice of what’s possible at Portacool. We support our employees, helping them take charge of their futures and achieve their best.  

Education and skill-building partnerships 

In addition to our employees, we also offer education and skills development support to people in our community. Portacool makes it possible for kids, teens, and adults to access specialized training, education, and scholarships.   

Our community education initiatives include: 

• Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) grant training 
• Supervisor Leadership Training at Tyler Junior College  
• Lean Manufacturing 
• TWC Teacher Externship Program 
• Standing Center Roughrider Scholarship 

The Center of corporate social responsibility 

As a key employer and community partner, we are proud to contribute to the local economy, provide jobs, and support initiatives that strengthen our hometown. Center, Texas, is where our kids play and go to school, our loved ones work and relax, and our local organizations volunteer their time to make our town great. By investing back into our community, we’re investing in our future. That’s our commitment to corporate social responsibility.  

Facilitating playtime at Portacool Park 

We built Portacool Park to create a fun, safe place for people of all ages to get together. From families to churches and local businesses, folks are laughing, playing together, and staying cool with our outdoor evaporative cooler stations. 

Building a better future together 

Portacool isn’t just a manufacturer, we’re a community partner and employer of choice. We treat our employees and their loved ones like family. Through training, education, and career advancement opportunities, we invest in our team members and help them become the best versions of themselves.   

Their success contributes to our company’s future. We’re continuously evolving as a business and introducing new product lines like the Portacool APEX™ Series portable evaporative coolers. By innovating for our customers, we create more resources to reinvest in our people and our community. 

As an industry leader, Portacool has more resources to reinvest in our community. Through upskilling programs, scholarships, and workforce development initiatives, we’re supporting the next generation of skilled workers and building a more resilient workforce.  

Grow with Portacool 

We offer opportunities for everyone to learn and grow. Whether you’re a high school student curious about trade school, or a skilled professional looking to take their career to the next level, you can count on Portacool to support your journey.  

Follow us on LinkedIn and stay tuned for news, community stories, and open positions.