This focus on education directly ties into Manor’s efforts to attract healthcare providers. “One of our primary areas that needs skilled people is nursing, one of the bachelor’s degrees offered by ACC,” the mayor points out. By providing free education in high-demand fields, Manor is creating a pipeline of skilled workers ready to meet the needs of local employers. The emphasis on workforce readiness extends beyond healthcare. “Manufacturing is another big area for our region,” Mayor Harvey notes. The availability of free education in manufacturingrelated degrees and certificates means that local students can gain the skills needed for jobs in this sector without incurring debt. Mayor Harvey also mentions ongoing discussions with various companies and organizations.“We’re talking with Opportunity Austin, Tesla, Samsung, Applied Materials, Ronstadt, and others about workforce development,” he says. These conversations aim to align educational outcomes with industry needs, ensuring graduates are ready for the job market. The city is also working with Workforce Solutions on pre-job readiness programs. “I have a meeting this week to explore job readiness opportunities and see if they can fund it,” he reveals. In addition, the city’s strategic efforts include partnerships with smaller companies, such as Minus Electronics in Round Rock, which trains young people to manufacture through a partnership with the school district. ENHANCING COMMUNITY SPACES AND INFRASTRUCTURE Manor,Texas, is not just focusing on economic growth and workforce development but is also committed to enhancing community spaces and infrastructure to improve the quality of life for its residents. Moore outlines recent initiatives to enhance parks and recreational activities for kids and families. “We’re working with a grant writer to identify the highest and best use for one of our parks,” he says. The grant writer will gather feedback from residents at the upcoming Manorpalooza event to create a master plan, which will then be submitted to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.“We don’t have a lot of open green space, but we’re trying to add features to the spaces we do have for residents to utilize,” Moore explains. Mayor Harvey highlights a significant milestone for the city: “We successfully passed a bond that will give us our first-ever recreation center, including a library and city hall with community meeting spaces.” This new facility will provide outdoor and indoor spaces that residents have long requested, offering safe places for children and families, particularly during the summer. “The city doesn’t have a library, so this will be our first ever, which goes hand in hand with park and recreation spaces,” he adds. 7 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 07 MANOR, TX
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