Growth Symposium

Gearing Up for Growth
The area of east Williamson along with portions of Milam, Lee, Burleson and Bastrop counties are on the precipice of exponential growth.
What is headed our way?
The Taylor Chamber’s Gear Up for Growth symposium on Tuesday, April 23,  is designed to get a picture of the growth that is happening in and around the greater Taylor area and what we need to do to ensure we can attract residents and educate the workforce.
    The event begins with a light breakfast and networking at 8:30, a welcome at 9 and our first speaker – Dave Porter, Executive Director of the Williamson County Economic Development Partnership, who has been working with local EDCs, even across county lines. Dave will give us an idea of what to expect over the region in the coming years.
    Porter will be followed by our keynote speaker, John Pattison from Strong Towns. Pattison will address  “Mobilizing Your Community for Change” beginning around 10:15 a.m.
    Pattison will then moderate our panel on Quality-of-Life issues. On that panel is a local developer who has repurposed several historic buildings, an association president who once had to build an entire community for Americans in a foreign country, specialist with parks and recreation and a person who promotes the value of public art in creating a sense of place.
   Around 11:30 a.m., we will look at community fundamentals with a panel representing healthcare, childcare, water, and public safety. Lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m.
   Our last panel of the day will be focused on education and workforce development and begin at 1:20. On that panel will be our local superintendent, our local community college’s VP of workforce development, our local workforce board president, and a representative from a large area employer.
    We will begin wrapping up about 2:15 p.m. with a note on the importance of being a welcoming community from former Taylor Mayor Jesse Ancira.
    We would love to have you there!