NB 2020 | TLC | County/Chamber | Technology | HPA Academy
Chamber Members have been surveyed since July on what they think are the key issues in the community and in their business the next 10 years. A final survey will be sent in October that will ask how the Chamber can help accomplish those needs. Data gleaned from the surveys will be utilized by board members at their annual board planning retreat Nov. 11th at the GBRA River Annex in Seguin. The 10 year strategic plan coincides with the community's 175 year anniversary in 2020. The Chamber will celebrate is 100th anniversary in 2019.
44th ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE PLANNING BEGINS
The Arrangements Committee for the 44th Texas Legislative Conference will meet on Oct. 30th, just prior to the Nov. 4th joint meeting with the Advisory Committee chaired by Rep. Edmund Kuempel. Topics for the half-day conference on March 19th are being considered as well as candidates for the Texan of the Year. What will be the hot topics/issues on the state and national level next March? Send us your thoughts so we can add them to the list being considered by the committees. Email responses by clicking here.
COUNTY-CHAMBER AGREEMENT INKED
An agreement has been signed by the County Judge and Chamber President regarding economic services to be rendered by the Chamber. The agreement took effect September 11th and runs through December 31st, 2010. This is a "first" in Chamber history and adds credibility to the efforts expended on behalf of the Chamber via BuildNB in the area. The County is in need of additional commercial tax base, especially in light of the current national recession and flat property evaluations and sales tax collections.
CHAMBER ORGANIZING ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGY USAGE
Local government agencies will be meeting on September 23rd to continue discussions with CenterPoint Energy and retrofit contractors about the use of natural gas as the primary fuel for their vehicle fleets. After meeting in June, the group is coming together again to find ways to partner on evaluating the use of natural gas, cost of retrofitting current vehicles, and what would need to be done to build a fueling station in Comal County. Comal ISD, Comal County, NBU, and the City have all agreed to work in partnership to see if this opportunity can pay valuable dividends for their annual budgets and the environment. The local CenterPoint Energy office has been encouraging and helpful with the process and wants to be sure everyone has a chance to consider this clean and efficient operating fuel for vehicles.
SEEDS PLANTED FOR FUTURE ACADEMY HERE
The new Health Professionals Academy (HPA) had its grand opening kickoff on Sept. 10th at St. Phillips College in San Antonio.The newest academy of the Alamo Area Academies Institute (AAAI) began classes for high school students at Sam Houston High School in San Antonio and Floresville High School in August. Currently, health career classes are being taught in local high schools and at the CTTC. Canyon High School is looking to be the first location for the new HPA in New Braunfels, with the help of the CTTC and St.Phillips College. As all the partners continue to work together, the new HPA could be in place and functional by August 2010.