Monday Morning Report
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Executive Committee Meeting canceled: Because of the final frenzy of the Legislative session, a visit from the French Consul General, and a conflict with the Envision Central Texas Board meeting, we've decided to cancel the regularly scheduled third Wednesday of the month meeting of the Corridor Council Executive Committee in San Marcos (May 20, in this case). We'll re-schedule for next month. Thanks, and please call if you have any issues or concerns.
The Corridor Council is currently looking for a Membership & Economic Development Director. This executive leads membership development and coordinates the organization’s economic and business development goals. Interested individuals responding should include cover letter, resume, salary history and references. For more information or to submit items requested email us or fax 512/558-7365. No phone calls, please.
Infrastructure
Williamson County Judge Dan Gattis announced last week that he will seek a second four-year term of office.
Temple mayor Bill Jones appears headed towards a big win in the Legislature: although a Senate-passed bill authorizing a statewide group to oversee Texas' high-speed rail efforts appears to be languishing in the House, the bill has also been inserted by amendment into the TxDOT Sunset bill - almost certain to pass. A Jones-led corporation will select 4 of 7 members of a controlling board which should put Temple in the middle of whatever high-speed project goes forward in the future.
The Texas Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Committee take up the TxDOT Sunset bill this morning (5/18) in Austin. Among many elements in the massive bill are doing away with the TxDOT Commission, a new funding scenario based upon the state's Metropolitan Planning Organizations, establishment of a Rail Division within TxDOT, and that high speed rail bill now stalled out in the House. The full Senate should consider the measure on Wednesday (5/20).
Thinking Big: French President Nicolas Sarkozy has unveiled a new vision for a "Grand Paris," including a $31 billion highway network and a $21 billion makeover of the city's metro transit system. Also included:
Doubling the number of new homes constructed in the city each year to 70,000 a year;
Creation of twelve economic ‘poles of excellence’, involving a varied range of scientific and business partnerships;
Creation of a new Paris-Le Havre axis, providing the city with a maritime port, through the construction of a high-speed TGV train link;
Planting a forest of 1 million trees around the Charles de Gaulle airport at Roissy to capture carbon fallout;
Construction of a new dedicated high speed train line between the Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports.
Read more about the plan here.
Economic Development
For the second consecutive year San Antonio’s CPS Energy ranked number one in wind energy capacity among municipal utilities, according to the American Wind Energy Association.
Seton Family of Hospitals Support Services hosts a Career and Health Fair on Thursday, May 28th, 2009 from 10:00am – 6:00pm at the Word of Life Church located at 400 Old Post Road in Kyle. (Exit 213 off of IH-35). Details.
A web-based virtual reality experience known as Second Life will allow students all over the world to visit Texas State University in San Marcos without ever actually being on campus (sounds like our college years) Second Life is a free 3-D virtual reality created and maintained by real-life users. Visit Bobcat Village here. The latest client application is required to view the campus and is available for free here.
The recession is taking a toll on Bell County manufacturing jobs: chair maker Izzydesign will close its Belton factory this year. Merit Seating and Ancira RV in Temple have already closed. Texas Hydraulics, Materials Transportation Co., C & H Die Casting and Wilsonart have all cut workers within the last year. The unemployment rate for the Temple-Killeen-Fort Hood area in March 2009 was 5.9% compared to 4.6% March 2008.
Chrysler's financial problems may shutter Chuck Nash Jeep Eagle in San Marcos, among 789 US locations closing as the automaker restructures in bankruptcy. Nash started the SH 123 location in 1976, but last November opened a huge new GMC dealership on Interstate-35, saying amid widespread recession woes at the time: “This is Texas and Texas is special, especially between Austin and San Antonio."
Congratulations to San Marcos honored by the Government Finance Officer’s Association with its Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the city’s 2008-2009 budget. Only 2% of cities nationwide receive this honor for producing a budget document that serves as a financial plan, policy document, operations guide and is easy to communicate to the public.
“Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare.”
~ Japanese Proverb