Opportunity Austin

Why Austin? Because our unique environment fosters talent and makes dreams come true. After moving to Austin in 2019, track star Gabby Thomas has thrived, recently breaking the London Diamond League 200-meter record. She says Austin’s supportive atmosphere pushed her to excel, helping her become an Olympian. Join us in cheering on Gabby as she aims for gold in Paris! https://hubs.la/Q02J8mXh0

That's a wrap on Opportunity Austin’s TRIO, Upward Bound Program Summer Initiative: In partnership with Texas State University, we hosted sessions over the past several weeks where employers engaged with students about high-demand industries in the Austin region. These sessions aimed to broaden career perspectives and ignite interest in sectors like healthcare, skilled trades, technology, and manufacturing. A total of 14 employers participated, and our pre-and post-session tests revealed students showed a 75% increase in interest in these industries after attending. This initiative is a vital step in building a future-ready workforce for Austin's most in-demand industries. Thank you to all participating companies and investors for your support in making this program impactful and successful. Stay tuned for more insights from this initiative. Austin Regional Manufacturers Association (ARMA), ABC Central Texas, CapMetro, Dell Technologies, DPR Construction, Fantasy Elect, Hippo Insurance, NXP Semiconductors, Rudick Construction Group, Samsung Semiconductor, San Marcos Fire Department, Skillpoint Alliance, St. David's HealthCare, Texas State Technical College, Universal Technical Institute, Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area, Victoria Dunlap, Gilbert Zavala, Maria Arteaga

Regional Win: Wonik Materials Co Ltd (104830)., a South Korean semiconductor materials company, is investing $46 million in a new facility in Manor. This development will benefit our community by creating jobs, nurturing our workforce through collaboration with Manor Independent School District, and supporting industry giants like Samsung Semiconductor and Texas Instruments. The investment also underscores our region’s growing significance in the global semiconductor industry and promotes sustainable, green technologies. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ePfiUy9c Scott Griffin Jones, Bob Farley, City of Manor

Austin’s job market remains strong with a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.4% in June. Our region continues to thrive, adding 22,500 new jobs (1.7% growth) over the past year, ranking 21st among the top 50 metros. Significant expansions in the construction and natural resources (4.7%) and other services (4.2%) sectors highlight our resilience. Despite slight declines in the information and professional and business services sectors, Austin's private sector growth underscores its position as a thriving hub for economic activity. Read the full report: https://hubs.la/Q02HKl5K0

Austin's Resilience Shines: Elon Musk's decision to relocate X's headquarters to Austin reaffirms our status as a premier tech hub and highlights our continued potential to attract and support major tech players. Despite recent challenges, Austin's reputation as "Silicon Hills" continues to grow. Opportunity Austin is excited about the positive impacts of this decision, which will bolster the region's tech ecosystem and economic growth. Read more about this development and its implications for Austin's future: https://hubs.la/Q02HwtpM0

The A-LIST Awards are Back: Opportunity Austin is thrilled to announce the A-LIST Awards, celebrating Austin's top startups and innovators. This event highlights and honors the achievements of innovative companies and startups in the Austin region, showcasing the region's entrepreneurial spirit and its role in driving global innovation and economic growth. By recognizing these leaders, we emphasize the Austin region’s position on the international stage. Mark your calendars for October 23, 2024, and stay tuned for more details.

Why the Austin region?  More and more, the entire Austin region is becoming a one of-a-kind place that captures the essence of what it means to live, work, and innovate in the 21st century.    Scroll to learn more about #WhyAustin stands out on a national and global scale. https://lnkd.in/gDE45Vp6

Austin's status as a premier business destination is bolstered by its strong ties with the The University of Texas at Austin: UT President Jay Hartzell emphasizes the university's proactive approach to regional economic development, aiming to be a key player in attracting businesses to Central Texas.  By collaborating with local and state governments, as well as economic development groups, UT seeks to highlight its contributions to corporate growth through research, innovation, and talent development. Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/gp8GjPuc  

Connecting Austin to the World: As we continue our mission to connect with Asian markets, an exciting update includes the Korea International Trade Association(KITA) opening a new trade office in Dallas, serving the Austin region. Charisse Bodisch, CEcD attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony, representing Opportunity Austin and the Austin region. This office will enhance global connectivity, attract foreign investments, and support local economic growth by providing a gateway to Korean markets for Austin businesses and fostering collaboration in tech and innovation sectors. Learn more about this exciting development: https://lnkd.in/dr6MtYZa

The Power of Partnerships: Building the Defense & Aerospace Workforce Our recent EDC meeting highlighted key themes in the emerging defense and aerospace industry, emphasizing Opportunity Austin’s mission to equip our future workforce with the skills needed for this dynamic sector and ensure businesses have access to the talent they need. Discussions centered on: - Acutronic's decision to establish their global headquarters in Austin and launch the Acutronic Apprenticeship Alliance with Bastrop ISD emphasizes the region’s attractiveness and commitment to workforce development. This partnership aims to bridge the gap between education and industry needs, ensuring a steady talent pipeline. - Austin Community College’s role in forming P-Tech programs was discussed, showcasing how these initiatives meet regional talent demands by connecting students with practical, industry-relevant education and training. - Athena Manufacturing highlighted their efforts in developing future talent pipelines by engaging students in manufacturing careers, ensuring a continuous influx of skilled workers to support industry growth. - UT Austin’s partnerships with companies were showcased, focusing on supporting commercialization and developing future talent. Research initiatives aimed at advancing the aerospace and defense sectors in the Austin region were also discussed. - Regional Strengths and Weaknesses: Panelists provided insights into the strengths of our region, such as a robust educational infrastructure and strong industry collaboration, while also addressing areas for improvement to support the future growth of the aerospace industry. Thank you to all the panelists for their insights and contributions.