Celebrating Texas Communities’ Economic Recovery and Sustainability Initiatives
[Kerrville, December 1] — The Texas Economic Development Council (TEDC) recently announced the launch of the Resiliency Hub, an initiative funded by the CARES Act through the Economic Development Administration (EDA). This platform is designed to spotlight inspiring case studies of Texas communities demonstrating exceptional resilience, recovery, and sustainability in the face of economic challenges. The Resiliency Hub serves as a beacon of innovative solutions and a resource for professionals engaged in economic development efforts.
Highlighting Economic Resilience in Four Texas Regions
TEDC defines economic resilience as the capacity of a community’s businesses and economic development efforts to withstand and recover swiftly from adverse incidents. Four regions have been selected to showcase their outstanding initiatives and programs that embody resilience and recovery in Texas.
Kerrville, TX: A Model of Collaborative Resilience
Located two hours west of Austin, Kerrville, TX, faced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Kerr Economic Development Corporation (KerrEDC) took proactive measures, establishing the Industry, Inclusion, and Education Quarterly Roundtables. These roundtables have evolved into crucial discussions addressing various regional challenges, with a focus on workforce development, industry collaboration, and education.
KerrEDC’s Industry, Inclusion, and Education Quarterly Roundtables A Model of Collaborative Resilience
KerrEDC initiated a four-way partnership involving economic development, workforce, industry, and education organizations. Partners include the Texas Workforce Commission, Alamo Area Workforce Solutions, Kerrville Career Center, industry leaders, and educational institutions like Schreiner University, Alamo Colleges, Center Point ISD, Kerrville ISD, Ingram ISD, and Hallmark University.
These quarterly roundtables serve as a dynamic forum where community and industry partners collaboratively address workforce and talent pipeline issues. The efficient 90-minute sessions foster dialogue, innovative solutions, and commitment to action items. The outcomes of these roundtables have been instrumental in KerrEDC’s success, leading to significant achievements in funding, job creation, and community improvements.
Kerrville’s Achievements: A Testament to Resilience
Kerrville’s commitment to resilience has yielded remarkable results:
– $700,000 in funding for Alamo Colleges for Skills Development
– $118,000 Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) Grant to Ingram ISD
– Creation of over 1,100 manufacturing jobs over a 4-year period
– Attracted $24 million in new capital investment and $1.5 million during the pandemic
– Retained 90 percent of manufacturing and primary jobs during the pandemic
– Community improvements
– Increased sales tax revenue by 7-11 percent throughout 2020 and 2021
– Passed the Precinct 2 Initiative, legalizing alcohol sales for local businesses
– Initiated the Business & Innovation Forum and the childcare task force
Learnings from Kerrville: A Blueprint for Success
Kerrville’s experience offers valuable insights for other regions:
1. **Identify Key Stakeholders:** Kerrville emphasized the importance of education, workforce, industry, and economic development collaboration. The key is adapting to regional needs and opportunities.
2. **Cultivate Long-term Partnerships:** Building trust and collaboration among diverse partners is a marathon, requiring time and effort. Kerrville’s success story emphasizes the long-term benefits of persistent collaboration.
3. **Set Realistic Goals and Timelines:** KerrEDC’s structured 90-minute roundtables ensure focused discussions, minimizing fatigue. Clear action items and timelines, coupled with accountability, contribute to sustainable partnerships.
The Future of Resilience in Texas
The Resiliency Hub’s case studies, starting with Kerrville, exemplify the strength and adaptability of Texas communities in the face of economic challenges. TEDC invites professionals, policymakers, and community leaders to explore these case studies, extract lessons, and contribute to the collective resilience of Texas.
For further information on TEDC’s Resiliency Hub and the Kerrville case study, please visit https://texasresiliencyhub.org/kerrville or contact:
Katie Milton Jordan
Manager of Business Development, Entrepreneurship, & Talent
katie@kerredc.com
830-510-3725
### About TEDC
The Texas Economic Development Council (TEDC) is a statewide, non-profit professional association dedicated to the development of economic and employment opportunities in Texas. TEDC provides leadership, education, and professional development for its members and actively promotes economic development as a strategy for community and state vitality.
### About the Resiliency Hub
The TEDC Resiliency Hub is an initiative funded by the CARES Act through the Economic Development Administration (EDA). It serves as a platform to showcase and celebrate inspiring case studies of Texas communities that have demonstrated exceptional resilience, recovery, and sustainability in their economic development efforts.
### About KerrEDC
The Kerr Economic Development Corporation (KerrEDC) is dedicated to fostering economic growth and prosperity in Kerrville, Texas. Through strategic partnerships and innovative programs, KerrEDC addresses the unique challenges facing the community and promotes sustainable development for the benefit of all residents.
