Young County Group Lobbies in Austin

A group of local officials from Young and Jack Counties traveled to the Texas Capitol last week to advocate for rural economic support and workforce training programs aimed at preparing residents for high-tech, high-wage jobs in a rapidly evolving labor market.

Olney Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Tom Parker joined County Judge Win Graham, County Commissioner Jimmy Wiley, and builder Lance Groves on a visit to Austin, where they met with State Rep. David Spiller, Sen. Brent Hagenbuch, and other lawmakers to support pending legislation that could deliver training funds to rural communities.

“We spent the entire next day at the State Capitol… advocating for state support for our two rural counties,” Judge Graham said. “It was a long day, but we had the opportunity to present our case and beat our drums for assistance for Young and Jack Counties.”

Mr. Parker and Mr. Groves testified briefly before the House Committee on Trade,Workforce and Economic Development to support House Bill 4479 and Senate Bill 2448, which would fund upskilling programs through the Texas Workforce Commission. These programs aim to retrain workers— such as those currently in low-wage labor jobs—for higher-skilled roles in automation, facilities maintenance, and industrial controls.

Mr. Parker said the need for upskilling became clear during conversations with local employers who talked of automating more processes due to persistent labor shortages.

“We’re talking about taking someone who was swinging a hammer yesterday and turning them into an HVAC technician or a technician with the skills to manage hydraulic and pneumatic systems, pressure gauges, and electrical controls,” Mr. Parker said. “That’s a different kind of worker— and one who can afford a mortgage, pay hospital bills, and put their kids in travel sports. That’s the kind of economic mobility we need to build.”

The delegation also discussed regional efforts to develop similar training models to those pioneered by the city of Hamlin, where a “K-through-18” initiative is helping students pursue technical careers starting in middle school and continuing through associate and bachelor’s degrees.

One Hamlin graduate, Mr. Parker noted, is now studying to become an HVAC teacher to return and train the next generation.

Efforts are already underway to create a similar training ecosystem in Olney. Dr. Cheryl Groves, mother of Mr. Groves, who is developing housing in Olney, was recently appointed by Judge Graham to the Texas Workforce Commission in Wichita Falls and is working with local leaders to develop an industry-focused career track for Olney students.

Mr. Parker said the local delegation also talked to lawmakers about the area’s infrastructure needs, especially water, and funding for emergency services and the county’s hospitals.

“I think everybody got what they wanted as far as finding out what was being worked on and what isn’t,” he said.