Looking at innovative ways to deliver leadership and economic prosperity for the South Texas region in the 21st century will be the focus of the Future of the Region Conference Aug. 24-25 in Corpus Christi.
The conference, hosted by Future of the Region Inc., will bring in regional leaders and noted speakers to examine common issues impacting the lives of South Texas citizens and to make those issues known to state legislators.
The FORI, which has met in Laredo, San Antonio, and South Padre Island, is scheduled to meet in Corpus Christi’s Omni Marina Hotel.
When the group was launched in the 1980s, it developed a position paper to air its concerns to state legislators as one voice for South Texas.
Since then, the group meets biennially to revise its position paper with emerging concerns that enable group members to work collaboratively in developing responses for these issues.
The conference will explore four positions tied to the future of the South Texas region, including Workforce Development/Education, Strategic Alliances-Economic Development, Environmental Issues and Concerns, and Health Issues.
“The conference is an excellent opportunity for South Texas communities to learn about common issues impacting their region and to join forces for a stronger voice in the state legislature,” said FORI President Dr. Federico Zaragoza of San Antonio.
FORI Vice President Blas Castañeda agreed, adding that the group’s “47-county geographic focus brings strength and competitiveness to its efforts to enhance economic development in our communities.”
The conference will feature many highly noted speakers, including:
· Texas Workforce Commissioner Diane Rath, speaking about South Texas Workforce Trends – Challenges and Opportunities;
· Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Commissioner Dr. Raymund Paredes, speaking about a 21st Century Higher Education Agenda for South Texas;
· U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar speaking about a Legislative Agenda – Impact on South Texas; and
· Arizona State University Hispanic Research Center professor Dr. Alfredo G. de los Santos Jr., speaking on Positioning Your Community for Economic Prosperity.
FORI represents six councils of government, including the Alamo Area Council of Governments, the Middle Rio Grande Development Council, the South Texas Development Council, the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council, the Coastal Bend Council of Governments and the Golden Crescent Regional Planning Commission.
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