上周, the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce launched the Texas Coalition of Defense Communities (TCDC). The Chamber created the TCDC to take a collective approach to advocating for policies, 立法, and initiatives that impact military missions – active, 警卫, 和储备. Texas’ military installations, infrastructure and personnel generate more than 136.6 billion to the state’s economy and make invaluable contributions to national security.
“Texas is the proud home to 15 military installations and the U.S. 陆军期货司令部, as our support for our nation’s military remains unwavering,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “I thank the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce for launching the Texas Coalition of Defense Communities to support military installations in Texas and our nation's security. This coalition and its partners will play an important role in helping attract more military missions to Texas, ensure our brave men and women in uniform can benefit from the best economic opportunities, and bring together community and business leaders in military communities at the state and federal level. I look forward to working with the TCDC as we continue to support our nation's military and service members across Texas.”
The coalition was announced during a press conference that featured remarks from 戴夫·彼得森, Interim 总统 and 首席执行官, San Antonio Chamber of Commerce; 众议员雷·洛佩兹, Vice Chair of the House Defense & Veterans' Affairs Committee; Representative Terry Wilson, Chair of the House Defense & Veterans' Affairs Committee, and 参议员凯利·汉考克, Chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee.
TCDC partners include civic and business leadership of Texas’ military-connected communities and organizations that best represent the most active and engaged members from a business, 行业, and economic development perspective. 目前的合作伙伴包括:
- Abilene Chamber of Commerce
- Austin Chamber of Commerce
- Belton Area Chamber of Commerce
- 特克萨卡纳市
- 德尔里奥市
- 达拉斯地区商会
- Del Rio Chamber Foundation
- El Paso Chamber of Commerce
- Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce
- Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce
- Harker Heights Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center
- Houston Military Affairs Committee (HMAC)
- Kingsville Chamber of Commerce
- Lampasas County Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center
- San Angelo Chamber of Commerce
- San Antonio Chamber of Commerce
- Sheppard Military Affairs Committee (SMAC)
- Temple Chamber of Commerce
- United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce
- Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce
The TCDC partners will work to avoid reductions in infrastructure, personnel and funding and seek to attract new missions and increase defense-related employment.
“This new and innovative coalition will work to coordinate and promote collaboration across public and private partners and ensure the needs of our military missions and service members are a priority. Having such strong partners will allow all of us to maximize collective impact and leverage existing resources where possible, both at the state and federal levels,凯蒂·哈维说。, Chief Executive Officer of KGBTexas Communications and 2023 San Antonio Chamber of Commerce Board Chair.
TCDC will speak with one voice to our state and federal representatives, spearheading important advocacy on items that impact the state of Texas’ military missions. 作为88的结尾th Texas Legislative Session approaches, TCDC will continue advocacy efforts at the federal level and keep the state’s military communities connected.
“Texas will certainly benefit from a forward-thinking approach to protecting military missions, ensuring installation resiliency, and actively engaging in discussions around any closing, 重新调整, or restructuring that would impact military installations in the State,戴夫·彼得森说, Interim 首席执行官 and 总统 of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. “Leveraging the partners resources to enhance, 扩大, 添加, or otherwise improve missions, 项目, 设施, or operations affecting the State's military installations will be a great step forward in ensuring Texas continues to be the nation’s leader in supporting our military missions and service members.”
For information on how to participate as a TCDC partner or ways to contribute, email 洛丽·史汀生.