Georgetown wins 2017 Workforce Excellence Award
The Georgetown Workforce Development Alliance, which includes the City of Georgetown, Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, and Georgetown Independent School District, was awarded the Texas Economic Development Council’s 2017 Workforce Excellence Award for population 40,001 to 100,000 today.
The alliance is a collaborative community effort to align quality education with workforce development needs and was started as the Education Committee of the Chamber, which has its roots in the GTSet4Success; Aligning Education and Economic Development initiative, which began in 2009.
“We are excited that the hard work the Workforce Development Alliance has put into our community is being recognized at a state level,” Georgetown Economic Development Director Michaela Dollar said. “This collaborative group is an extraordinary asset to have in Georgetown as we grow and develop the city. It is also a testament to the cooperative business environment that makes us so unique.”
The WDA’s efforts in 2016 resulted in programs such as the Georgetown Career Fair and the first Manufacturing Day. The career fair was hosted for GISD juniors and seniors and included job openings with local employers as well as sessions on interviewing skills and resume writing. Manufacturing Day included several local manufacturers hosting more than 60 high school students to spur interest for future training and employment opportunities.
“The WDA is invested in addressing the workforce needs of our growing City and implementing successful workforce initiatives to ensure that we are meeting the needs of our community,” Chamber President Karen Sheldon said.
The Workforce Excellence Award program recognizes exceptional contributions by a Texas community or region that has implemented successful workforce initiatives. Nominees were judged on five criteria: innovativeness, transferability, community commitment and leverage, measured objectives, and secondary benefits.
“Our TEDC’s Workforce Excellence Award is one of the ways in which our organization honors the outstanding work done by our communities and regions, their leaders, and their economic development professionals in the area of workforce development,” TEDC President/CEO Carlton Schwab said.
Daddy Daughter Dance returns to Georgetown on June 23
Friends of Georgetown Parks and Recreation is hosting the Fourth Annual Daddy Daughter Dance on Friday, June 23, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Georgetown Community Center, 445 E. Morrow St.
Girls age 4 and older are invited to attend with their father or another acceptable escort, such as a granddad, uncle or older brother. The theme is “Boots & Bling,” and attendees are encouraged to wear a western outfit.
In addition to dancing, this popular event features refreshments and light snacks, and each young lady will receive a bandana. To remember the special occasion, professional portrait packages will be available for purchase.
Tickets are $15 per person in advance and $20 per person at the door. Advance tickets are now on sale at parks.georgetown.org or at the Georgetown Recreation Center, Georgetown Tennis Center or Parks and Recreation Administration Building. Tickets are nonrefundable.
All proceeds benefit Friends of Georgetown Parks and Recreation, a nonprofit organization who supports the City of Georgetown Parks and Recreation Department in providing programs and facilities to promote the social, cultural and recreational well-being of all Georgetown residents.
For questions, contact Georgetown Parks and Recreation at (512) 930-3596.
Census: Georgetown is Fifth Fastest-Growing City in U.S.
A new report from the U.S. Census Bureau released yesterday shows that Georgetown is ranked fifth on the list of fastest-growing cities in the country with a population of more than 50,000. Georgetown’s growth rate was 5.5 percent from July 1, 2015, through July 1, 2016, resulting in a population estimate of 67,140.
Georgetown was the fastest-growing city in the U.S. on the list released last year by the census for the period from July 1, 2014, through July 1, 2015. Georgetown was the second-fastest growing city in the U.S. in the prior year.
Georgetown’s population was 47,400 in the 2010 decennial census. According to today’s estimate, Georgetown added 19,740 residents with a growth rate of 42 percent from 2010 to 2016.
“It’s not surprising that Georgetown continues to be one of the fastest-growing cities in the country,” says Georgetown Mayor Dale Ross. “Georgetown has what many are looking for—beautiful parks and trails, great schools, and a gorgeous historic downtown with one-of-a-kind shops. We are one of the safest towns in the state and we’ve been recognized internationally for moving to 100 percent wind and solar energy next year. We also have quality city staff and an outstanding city council who, with the support of our residents, have made investments in facilities and roads to ensure that we can support quality growth while preserving our unique charm.”
The news release from the Census about the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. in 2015 to 2016 is at www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2017/cb17-81-population-estimates-subcounty.html.
Georgetown Police Department hosts women’s self-defense class June 10
The Georgetown Police Department will host a free self-defense class June 10.
The class will be 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Public Safety Operations and Training Center, located at 3500 D.B. Wood Road, and will be instructed by GPD and the Williamson County Sheriff’s Department. All instructors are certified.
During the hands-on class, attendees will learn striking techniques as well as ground and choke defense.
The class is open to women ages 16-55. Because of a limited class size, interested individuals must register at pdtraining.georgetown.org/non-tcole.
For more information, contact Officer Shane Rogers at selfdefense@georgetown.org.
UPDATE: The class has been filled. However, individuals still interested in participating in the police department’s free women’s self-defense classes are encouraged to email Officer Shane Rogers at selfdefense@georgetown.org .
Music on the Square summer concerts start June 9
The Music on the Square summer concerts start on Friday, June 9, on the Courthouse lawn. These free concerts each Friday, with the exception of First Fridays, in June, July and August, start at 6:30 p.m. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, grab dinner-to-go from a local restaurant, and enjoy an evening of great live music.
Here’s the lineup:
- June 9: Roland Waits & The Wayward Travelers
- June 16: Jeremy McBee
- June 23: Tomzap Band
- June 30: Woundloose
- July 14: Danny Santos
- July 21: Strangedazs
- July 28: Adan Davila
- Aug. 11: Folkwine Band
- Aug. 18: Mike Elliott, Elvis Tribute
- Aug. 25: Mike Hamilton
Concerts are sponsored by the Georgetown Convention and Visitors Bureau and The Williamson Museum.
During the Music on the Square concerts, public restrooms are available inside the Williamson County Courthouse.
Downtown Parking
Parking for Music on the Square is available at these free public parking lots:
- 10th and Main streets (City lot)
- Austin Avenue and Fifth Street south of Monument Café (City lot)
- Sixth and Rock streets (County lot)
- Sixth and Main streets (City lot)
- Martin Luther King Jr. and Eighth streets (City lot)
- Rock and Fourth streets (County public garage)
For more information, go to the Georgetown Convention and Visitors Bureau website at VisitGeorgetown.com, or download the free Explore Georgetown, Texas mobile app.
Georgetown City Council election results
The Williamson County Elections office has posted unofficial final results for the City Council election on May 6 in Georgetown.
These are the unofficial final results:
Race | Candidate | Votes | Percent |
Mayor | Sherwin Kahn | 1,323 | 27.76 |
Dale Ross | 3,442 | 72.24 | |
District 2 | Valerie Nicholson | 389 | 53.58 |
David Sray | 337 | 46.42 | |
District 6 | Rachael Jonrowe | 400 | 75.76 |
Lawrence Romero | 128 | 24.24 |
To see a complete May 6, 2017 election results, go to wilco.org/elections.
City to host open house for Austin Avenue bridges options
The City of Georgetown will host the third public meeting for the Austin Avenue Bridges Project on May 11. The open house meeting on Thursday, May 11, will be from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Georgetown Communications and Technology Building, 501 W. Ninth St.
During the meeting, the project team will present possible improvement alternatives for the bridges that span the north and south forks of the San Gabriel River just north of the downtown Square, provide updates on the environmental compliance process and collect feedback from the public.
The goal of the project is to identify a long-term plan for the Austin Avenue bridges by evaluating possible alternatives to address structural, community, and mobility needs, ultimately developing a preferred alternative for the bridges that were constructed in 1939.
This study evaluated a number of alternatives and balanced considerations such as historical significance, cost, impacts to property owners and businesses, access, including connections to San Gabriel Park, and input received from the public. Twelve preliminary alternatives have been screened and will be shared along with the five that are moving forward as primary alternatives.
After the meeting, additional analysis on the alternatives will be completed to narrow down options to a preferred alternative that will be presented at a fourth public meeting expected in late 2017 or early 2018.
All project materials and public meeting materials will be available online after the meeting at on the Transportation website.
Hops for Hounds June 8
Food, pups and drinks are all you need to help raise funds for the Georgetown Animal Shelter.
Friends of the Georgetown Animal Shelter is hosting another Hops for Hounds event at Rentsch Brewery, located at 2500 NE Inner Loop, on Thursday, June 8, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 per person, and admission fees and a portion of beverage sales will go toward supporting the animals at the Georgetown Animal Shelter. The venue is child- and dog-friendly so bring the whole pack to enjoy Rentsch’s beautiful new taproom and 5,000-square-foot beer garden and patio.
Ticket fees include admission to this private event. Once in, beer from Georgetown’s first local brewery and delicious cuisine from Jimmy Vega’s Smokehouse food truck will be available to attendees for purchase. Only 250 tickets are available. Shelter T-shirts will also be on sale.
Whether you have adopted from us and want to say hi or you just love hanging out and supporting local businesses for a good cause, grab a friend and join us. (If your friend is canine, they must be leashed.)
Tickets were available for this event at the animal shelter at 110 Walden Drive. (across from McMaster Athletic Fields).
For more information, contact the Georgetown Animal Shelter at (512) 930-3592 or animalsvc@georgetown.org.
City to begin sidewalk, street projects in May
Updated May 9, 2017, at 11:20 a.m.
The scope of the Seventh Street project has been expanded to include additional gutter improvements. The additional work could extend the project’s expected completion to mid-June. Myrtle Street between Seventh and Eighth streets is expected to be closed until Friday, May 12. The additional work will then close Myrtle Street between Sixth and Seventh streets for approximately five days starting Monday, May 15.
Posted April 27, 2017, at 3:09 p.m.
Construction on several sidewalk improvement projects throughout the city will kick off May 1.
This is the first round of sidewalk improvement projects identified in the adopted Sidewalk Master Plan and funded in part by the road bond approved by voters in May 2015. Projects include American’s With Disabilities Act compliance and accessibility improvements throughout downtown and citywide.
Construction will be completed in phases, and the entire project is expected to be completed in late November.
Sidewalk improvements include:
- Del Webb Boulevard and Whispering Wind Drive
- Williams Drive and Woodlake Drive
- Williams Drive and Wildwood Drive
- Williams Drive and Shell Road
- Williams Drive and Lakeway Drive
- Williams Drive and River Bend Drive
- Austin Avenue and Morrow Street
- Austin Avenue from Morrow Street to Williams Drive
- Eighth and Rock streets
- Eighth Street from Church to Myrtle streets
- Sidewalks in Founders’ Park
Seventh Street reconstruction between Church and Myrtle streets is also set to begin May 1. Work will include a new asphalt roadway with curbs, drainage inlets, and storm drains. Construction is expected to take 30 days weather permitting. Seventh Street will be closed intermittently for construction.
Smith Contracting Co. of Austin will complete both projects.
The City will also begin construction May 1 on the sidewalk along the southbound Interstate 35 frontage road from Leander Road to Hwy. 29. Patin Construction will complete the project, which is expected to be completed Nov. 1. The project was a council priority and is being funded through certificate of obligation bonds.
See a map of the construction projects with expected start and completion dates here:
[google_maps]Arts and Culture Board seeks grant proposals
The Georgetown Arts and Culture Board is seeking grant proposals for art, music, theater and cultural heritage events or projects to take place in Georgetown between Oct. 1 and Nov. 3
Nonprofit organizations, schools, informal arts and culture organizations, and individual artists who are creating public art or an event open to the public are eligible to apply, with the exception of those who were funded in the previous round of grants. The total budget for grants is $10,000. Recent grants have averaged $2,000 apiece.
Proposals should include:
- Contact information for someone who is readily available to answer questions about the proposal
- Purpose and description of the event or project
- Amount being requested and total budget, including other anticipated funding sources
- Date, location, admission charge, and anticipated attendance
- Size and demographic makeup of past audiences or participants
Special consideration will be given for events or projects that meet one or more of these criteria:
- Are free admission
- Include outreach to populations that are traditionally underrepresented
- Have a cultural tourism or economic impact
Organizations or individuals that receive funding will be required to follow up by:
- Recognizing the City of Georgetown Arts and Culture Board in their advertising and programs
- Submitting a one-page report to the Arts and Culture Board no later than Jan. 31, 2018, with a description of the use of grant funds and copies of event promotion materials
Grant proposals must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 6. Organizations will be notified by email about funding decisions by June 30.
Note: the proposal process is now closed.