Insider's Report, Vol. 7, No. 40

For six straight years, national CEOs have rated Texas as the number one state in which to do business.  And since 2008, Texas has been the number one job creator in the United States. 
 
I believe Texans, especially those of us in Brazoria County, understand the principles of economic development.  No more was this evident than when Commissioner Andres Alcantar of the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) recently presented a $1 million Skills Development Fund grant to Brazosport College.

The grant, which will be used to train 952 new and current employees, represents a unique collaboration of local industry, higher education, and state government partnering together to meet local workforce needs.  Most importantly, this investment will enable local companies to be more competitive in today's global economy and ultimately help our local communities continue to prosper.

Commissioner Alcantar calls the TWC program an "investment in people, companies, and colleges.  It is crafted around community colleges because they are delivering solutions." 

In agreement with Commissioner Alcantar, I supported a $90 million appropriation to the Skills Development Fund for the 2010-11 biennium because I strongly believe in what TWC is doing to enhance our local economies through community college programs.
 
Local representatives of the chemical and nuclear industries worked with the college to determine future workforce needs and, by joining together, were able to qualify for this significant investment.  Companies who partnered with Brazosport College include BASF, ConocoPhillips, Dow, Huntsman, Shintech, SI Group, and the STP Nuclear Operating Company.  This Skills Development Fund grant allows Brazosport College to strengthen its curriculum and avails these companies the benefit of 13 different customized training programs for employees.
 
Since passing legislation in 2003 authorizing Brazosport College to offer a Bachelor's Degree in Applied Technology, I have remained a strong proponent of workforce development.  As a part of my legislative efforts, I am proud to point to Brazosport College as a fine example of the quality educational training that needs to be offered throughout Texas.  Brazosport College continues to reach out to the community in determining our local workforce needs and actively puts into place strong programs to meet those needs. 
 
Our local economy will greatly benefit from this most recent achievement.  I commend college president Millicent Valek, her administrative team, the Board of Regents and the Foundation Board for their efforts in partnering with our local businesses who remain dedicated to developing a strong workforce.