Veteran and Military Growth Initiative Endorsed
Posted/updated on: March 27, 2014 at 5:57 pm
TYLER — The Tyler City Council Wednesday endorsed the Veteran and Military Growth Initiative to create sustainable opportunities for Veterans and their families to thrive in East Texas, according to a city press release. On March 17, 2011, the City of Tyler, under the leadership of Mayor Barbara Bass, chartered the Veterans & Community Roundtable. Three years later, the Roundtable engages more than 150 individuals and organizations that serve Veterans, Guard/Reserve, and military families in East Texas, according to the release. Members focus on five key Veteran and military transition issues: employment, education, housing, healthcare, and financial/legal services.
In May, 2013, members of the Mayors Roundtable and the Chambers Veterans Committee began the development of a Veterans Strategic Plan to complement Tylers existing IGI and Tyler 1st Plans. A small committee researched the potential, using the focus group information from the recent IGI and Tyler 1st as a barometer of wide public sentiment. They engaged Chamber members, government agencies, businesses, members of the Veterans & Community Roundtable, the Chambers Veterans Committee, and local citizens to solicit their suggestions.
The result of the committees efforts was a 42-page community and economic development plan, the Veteran and Military Growth Initiative (VMGI). The VMGI outlines more than 40 strategies and tactics for veteran-focused community growth, making what’s termed a strong case for how implementation will bring fresh dollars into Tyler/Smith County and cement Tylers reputation as the capital of East Texas. Since Jan. 6, 2014, the VMGI has received endorsements from the Veterans & Community Roundtable, the Chambers Veterans Committee, and Tylers Leadership Roundtable.
There are approximately 16,000 Veterans in Smith County who bring an estimated $189 million annually to the region in VA benefits, disability pensions and medical care. Some goals of the VMGI include attracting veteran-owned small businesses, creating a Veteran training academy focused on trades, expanding the VA clinic, developing Tyler Pounds Regional Airport as a Veteran business/aviation campus, welcoming more Veteran retirees, and becoming Americas most Veteran friendly community.
