GIDDINGS EDC PARTNERS WITH UT INSTITUTE TO JUMPSTART ECONOMIC RECOVERY
LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS ASKED TO PARTICIPATE IN SURVEY
The Giddings Economic Development Corporation (GEDC) is partnering with the University of Texas to aid the city’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The GEDC, along with economic development representatives from 60 other communities across Texas and Louisiana, was accepted into the university’s IC2 Institute program.
Since being accepted, the GEDC has been tasked with connecting IC2 researchers with local stakeholders, generating awareness of a comprehensive recovery survey to be completed by local residents, and participating in virtual brainstorming sessions with the pandemic recovery team.
The GEDC will receive a final, customized report and will participate in a comprehensive, multi-day training program called XLR8. The training will center on providing participants with a framework for data-driven economic development design, rapid testing and linking of measurement to grow programs with broad community support, peer-based mentoring, and access to economic development experts.
GEDC Executive Director Tonya Britton said the city’s participation in the program allows it access to the same type of information and resources available to larger cities, thereby putting them on “the same playing field”.
The recovery survey can be taken by visiting the link here. The deadline to take the survey is July 31st.