Eagle Pass Represented at Texas Rural Challenge
(Press Release) The City of Eagle Pass participated in the Texas Rural Challenge on July 16 – 17 in New Braunfels, Texas. The city’s government relations consulting firm, EMC Strategy Group, LLC, served as one of the event sponsors for the two-day conference which was hosted by the University of Texas at San Antonio Institute for Economic Development, Southwest Trade Adjustment Assistance Center, and the Small Business Development Center Network.
The conference featured key addresses from Texas Secretary of State Rolando Pablos, Texas Workforce Commissioner on Labor Julian Alvarez, and Brian Daniels, who serves as the Director for the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. The Texas Rural Challenge serves as a unique opportunity where the public and private sectors meet and exchange ideas on the best practices to strengthen economic development.
Eagle Pass representatives included: City Councilman Luis Sifuentes, Public Information Coordinator Cynthia Berchelmann, Planning & Building Director Vanessa Rosales-Herrera, Grants Director Isaak Ruiz, Bridge Operations Director Anna De La Garza, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sandra Martinez, Chamber Administrative Assistant Margie Montoya, Small Business Development Center Director Elizabeth Pena, EMC Owner & Founder Janice M. Gonzalez, and EMC President & CEO Ernie Gonzalez. Maverick County Commissioner Roberto Ruiz also attended the conference.
All speakers challenged communities to work together in the spirt of regionalism and collaborative efforts whenever possible to achieve greater economic development. “Cities, counties, school districts, institutions of higher learning, and council of governments must work together and build partnerships that will strengthen the local and state economy,” said Secretary of State Rolando Pablos.
“I wholeheartedly agree with comments made by Secretary Pablos and Commissioner Alvarez,” said City Councilman Luis Sifuentes. “Eagle Pass is committed to form partnerships with public and private entities to increase economic prosperity in our community and the region,” added Sifuentes.
The Eagle Pass delegation participated in several breakout sessions, which included: Technology Adoption, Accessing Opportunities for Trade, Regional Approaches for Economic Growth, and Skilled Labor Force for Rural Texas. The City of Eagle Pass Business & Economic Development Committee (BEDC) is working on several projects that addresses all the topics discussed during the conference.
