Challenge Comprised of 26 counties spanning 26,000 miles, the Texas Panhandle and its workforce development service area covers a geography larger than 10 US states. The Region 16 Education Service Center (ESC) serves school districts within the Texas Panhandle. In October 2023, Region 16 ESC was awarded the Tri-Agency Grant […]
Challenge Situated 20 miles north of Austin, the suburban community of Pflugerville, Texas, has a rich history of German roots and ample outdoor amenities. Pflugerville’s relative affordability and family-friendly atmosphere, combined with the regional expansion of manufacturing and technology, have led to massive growth; Pflugerville’s population size has surged in
Challenge The Red River Army Depot (RRAD) has long been the single largest employer and a critical economic engine in the bi-state Texarkana region. In response to cuts in federal defense spending and Army downsizing, regional officials sought to prepare for what they anticipated would be further workload reductions and
Challenge Situated along Florida’s Atlantic coast, the Northeast Florida region spans seven counties which are home to diverse communities, extensive outdoor amenities, and an appealing mix of rural and urban living. This region plays a pivotal role in the state’s economy. Its strategic location, with coastal access and major highway
Challenge Overland Park, Kansas, is a strong hub for corporate and professional services located in the southwest quadrant of the Kansas City metropolitan statistical area. The second largest city in Kansas, Overland Park offers a lower cost of living relative to the nation’s coasts; high-quality education institutions; and access to
Challenge Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, employers across the country were experiencing severe labor market challenges, including low labor force participation rates and the aging out of the baby boom generation. With the onset of the pandemic, many of these challenges were accelerated. Workers across the country scrambled to figure
Challenge With Oregon’s employment base growing faster than its labor force, the state’s talent shortage has become more acute. Rising vacancies and increases in the length of time required to fill positions cost Oregon employers billions each year (not to mention the subsequent loss of state revenues from income taxes).
Challenge Recognizing that talent is a key driver of regional competitiveness, the Tampa Bay Partnership assessed talent indicators for the region and measured these against 19 peer communities. This exercise revealed that the Tampa Bay talent pool lagged its peers, particularly in metrics related to the regional talent pipeline. In
Challenge West Kentucky has a long history of economic success: as a 19th century distribution hub, an agricultural center, a nuclear-age site for uranium enrichment, and a center for numerous manufacturing specialties. In recent years, the region’s economy has been driven by its large military presence (Fort Campbell) and a
Challenge Despite its largely positive economic climate, Texas’s Lower Rio Grande Valley has long faced daunting workforce development challenges. Nearly one-half of the region’s working-age population does not have a high school diploma and only 1 in 8 have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Employers face numerous additional challenges, including
