Seguin Gazette: Central Texas Technology Center Earns Regional Economic Development Honor

Seguin Gazette: Central Texas Technology Center Earns Regional Economic Development Honor Main Photo

16 Nov 2018


By Valerie Bustamante-Seguin Gazette

Helping build a talent pipeline in both Guadalupe and Comal counties has earned the Central Texas Technology Center a regional award.

The center was awarded one of the nine Star of the Southwest Awards on Thursday from the Southwest Region Executive Development Association — recognizing its economic development impact in the area.

“About two years we started an award where we wanted to recognize significant economic development grants and projects that we had funded throughout our five states,” Jorge Ayala, regional director for the economic development association, said.\

This year, one of the awards went to the CTTC, Ayala said.

“Every time I have a visitor that comes to my office in Austin that wants to go see a project, I send them here,” he said. “You’re lucky in that you have a close proximity so that helps, but I think you’re a great example of what a partnership with EDA can do.”

The center, which focuses on helping the community learn entry-level and technical skills, was nominated for the award by the Alamo Area Council of Governments.

CTTC director Janice Roth said they were proud to receive the recognition.

“For us to be recognized by receiving this award means we will be able to grow as we become better known to provide higher education opportunities and technical training in New Braunfels, Seguin and the surrounding area,” she said. “This award spotlights us as one of the primary centers to provide that. It is such an honor.”

The Southwest Region Executive Development Association invested about $1.25 million into the CTTC to help expand its facilities in 2014 to provide “enhanced workforce training in science and technology in support of the region’s goal of expanding its manufacturing and industrial base.”
"One of the key areas of economic development is a trained workforce. If a company comes and builds their facility and are looking for 100 people, but there’s no one to fill those jobs you’re not going to attract any companies to come to your area,” Ayala said. “When we looked at the proposal and applications we received for this facility we were very impressed with the planning and thought that went behind it and the collaboration in there. It was very easy for EDA to invest and we do look at it as an investment.”

The Southwest Region Executive Development Association, which covers five states including Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas, awarded the other award in Texas to Amarillo College.

To see the original story from the Seguin Gazette, please click here.