SEDC Announced as Recipient of the 2021 TEDC Workforce Excellence Award

The Seguin Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) has been recognized as the 2021 recipient of Texas Economic Development Council (TEDC) Workforce Excellence Award for population category 15,001 and 40,000 at TEDC’s Mid-Year Conference in Frisco, Texas. The SEDC earned this recognition for their 2020 Seguin Works Manufacturing DayCelebration. 

The Workforce Excellence Award program recognizes exceptional contributions by a Texas community or region that has implemented successful workforce initiatives. Members of the TEDC’s Workforce Development Committee reviewed and scored the applications from the nominees based on five criteria: innovativeness, transferability, community commitment and leverage, measured objectives, and secondary benefits. 

Manufacturing Day is an annual national event executed at the local level supported by thousands of manufacturers as they host students, teachers, parents, job seekers and other local community members at open houses, plant tours and presentations designed to showcase modern manufacturing technology and careers. 

The SEDC’s Seguin Works Manufacturing Day Celebration, normally an in-person event for local high school students, transitioned to a virtual platform in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The SEDC implemented several events throughout the month of October including, “Made in Seguin Week,” “Creators Wanted,” and a virtual Manufacturing Day celebration with the San Antonio Manufacturers Association (SAMA). 

“Made in Seguin Week” was a week-long event which featured a virtual tour of five of Seguin’s manufacturers to over 180 students at Seguin High School, Navarro High School and Marion High School. Each company was asked to log on to a zoom session, introduce themselves, communicate their company culture and then take us on a virtual tour of the facility. The companies used power point presentations, videos and integrated their cell phones to take us on a live tour of their operations. Each day one company was showcased and ended their session with a live Q&A that allowed the student watching to ask questions in real time.  

The SEDC also collaborated with the Schertz Economic Development Corporation for a “Creators Wanted” event that virtually showcased Caterpillar, a local manufacturer with operations in both communities, to the local school districts. To set the event apart, students also received a commemorative MFG Day t-shirt sporting the ‘Creators Wanted’ theme, which encourages students to realize their creative potential. This messaging is particularly fitting when tied to Caterpillar’s goal of providing solutions that help their customers build a better world. Whether creating, designing, or building, a career in manufacturing offers a range of opportunities to suit a student's interests. 

Finally, the SEDC partnered with the San Antonio Manufacturers Association (SAMA), a membership-driven organization, representing more than 400 businesses in Transportation, Aerospace Equipment and Metal Products, Diversified Products, Materials & Electricity, for Manufacturing Day. The SEDC worked with SAMA and Guadalupe County to proclaim October 2020 as Manufacturing Month to help highlight the importance and benefits of a strong manufacturing sector in Guadalupe County and the San Antonio region.  

Five other recipients were also awarded the TEDC 2021 Workforce Excellence Award in their respective population categories. A total of twelve nominees overall were recognized for their workforce projects. 

Communities nominated included:  Population Less than 15,000 – Hillsboro Economic Development Corporation; Population 15,001 to 40,000 – Sequin Economic Development Corporation; Population 40,001 to 100,000 – The Colony Economic Development Corporation and Temple Economic Development Corporation; Population 100,001 to 250,000 – Allen Economic Development Corporation, Amarillo Economic Development Corporation and Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce; Population 250,001 and Above: Borderplex Alliance, Economic Alliance Houston Port Region and San Antonio Economic Development Foundation; Regional – Workforce Solutions Central Texas and Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas 

The 2021 Workforce Excellence Award recipients are: 
Population (Less than 15,000): Hillsboro Economic Development Corporation 
Population (15,001 to 40,000): Seguin Economic Development Corporation 
Population (40,001 to 100,000): Temple Economic Development Corporation 
Population (100,001 to 250,000): Amarillo Economic Development Corporation 
Population (250,001 and Above): San Antonio Economic Development Foundation 
Regional: Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas 

“Our TEDC’s Workforce Excellence Award is one of the ways in which our organization honors the outstanding work done by our communities and regions, their leaders, and their economic development professionals in the area of workforce development,” noted Carlton Schwab, President/CEO of the TEDC.” 

The TEDC was organized in 1961 and provides information, education and legislative services to its members to foster the expansion of existing businesses, the location of new firms and the development of strategies that promote a positive business climate in Texas. With over 850 members, the TEDC is now the largest state economic development association in the nation.