FORT WORTH, Texas – The Greater San Marcos Partnership (GSMP), the nonprofit economic development organization representing the communities of Hays and Caldwell Counties, accepted the inaugural Community Economic Development Award.
The honor, presented by the Texas Economic Development Council (TEDC), was presented on Thursday, October 14, at an awards ceremony during the TEDC Annual Conference. The award recognizes exemplary achievement in resilience and recovery for economic development in the state of Texas.
“This is truly the community’s award,” said Jason Giulietti, president of GSMP. “The amazing and creative ideas that our region came up with in response to the economic challenges of the pandemic cemented this area’s reputation for targeted and innovative solutions. GSMP is honored to have helped facilitate these programs that made a tremendous impact on our community.”
Some of those efforts as highlighted in the award included:
The creation of a one-stop online destination for comprehensive COVID-19 information
Development business webinars, virtual events, and hybrid events to navigate economic issues related to COVID-19
Administration a $600,000 grant fund known as the Hays County Emergency Cash Assistance Program (ECAP), which assisted 92 local businesses and
Execution of the Get HIRED! Job & Education Fair in March 2021, which was the first in-person job fair held in the two-county footprint since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic
A grand total of 55 applications were submitted for award consideration this year. Nominees were judged on five criteria: innovativeness, transferability, community commitment and leverage, measured objectives, and secondary benefits.
“Our Community Economic Development Award honors the excellent work done by our communities, their leaders, and their economic development professionals,” said Greg Sims, 2021 chair of TEDC. “Each community recognized achieved excellence in economic development and substantially improved the economic base of their respective regions.”
This award is the latest recognition GSMP has received from the state, national or international level. Earlier this month, GSMP took home a Silver Award for Economic Development Organization of the Year and a Bronze Award for Annual Report as awarded by the International Economic Development Council.
About GSMP
The Greater San Marcos Partnership (GSMP) is the 501(c)6 regional economic development organization serving the city of San Marcos and Hays & Caldwell Counties, focused on positioning the region for a wider diversity of quality jobs with higher wages. The GSMP mission is to increase economic opportunities for all in the heart of the Texas Innovation Corridor. Visit greatersanmarcostx.com for more information.
About TEDC
The TEDC provides information, education and legislative services to its members to foster the expansion of existing businesses, the location of new firms and the development of strategies that promote a positive business climate in Texas. With 860 members, the TEDC is the largest state economic development association in the nation.
Contact
J.D. Moore
Marketing & Communications Manager
512.781.3028
jdmoore@greatersanmarcostx.com