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Public Private Partnership Highlight:
Deep in the Heart of Fort Hood, Texas!
By Stacy Bayton, Senior Executive Vice President, CASY & MSCCN
The labor climate continues to grow in Texas, despite the cutbacks we have seen, and continue to see, in the oil and gas industry. The Army, like the oil and gas industry, continues to see cutbacks, many of which come from the Lone Star State, specifically Fort Hood in Killeen, TX.
The Army announced a plan to shrink their forces to 450,000 soldiers by the end of 2017, down from about 570,000 just a few years ago. Currently, 490,000 soldiers serve on active duty, including about 39,000 at Fort Hood. These cuts would reduce Army personnel in Texas by 4,898 by 2017, including approximately 3,350 soldiers at Fort Hood, or nine percent of personnel.
Some good news for soldiers and families staying in Texas: The Lone Star state continues to lead the nation in job growth, and with military cutbacks, the state continues to focus on building and sustaining support programs and partnerships that aid transitioning service members. Cities like Killeen (right outside the
gates of Fort Hood), Austin, Houston, and San Antonio boast strong economies and programs that aid Soldiers and their families as they transition from active duty. Public-private partnerships are at the center of these services.
Several public-private partnerships in and around Fort Hood are helping our soldiers and family members in their transition. The Soldier for Life Transition Assistance Program collaborates with organizations like CASY & MSCCN, St Michaels Learning Academy, and the local Workforce Center in Killeen to provide transitional assistance programs at Fort Hood. Additional partnerships with Goodwill, Easter Seals Dixon Centers, and many others help us provide support services.
Are you located in the Fort Hood area or know someone who is stationed there, but separating in the next year? Many training and support programs located on the installation or in the surrounding community are helping Soldiers and their families transition successfully.
Jobs & Training: The Texas economy continues to flourish in many industries, including professional and business services, trade, transportation and utilities, leisure and hospitality, education and health services, construction, government, financial activities, information, and other services. Job growth, sales tax collections and building permits all signal that the Texas economy continues to outpace the national economy. (continued on next page)