Research Documents

For over 60 years, economic development in Bell, Coryell, and Lampasas counties has been strongly influenced by the growth and expansion of Fort Hood – the largest active duty armored installation in the United States Armed Services. As the mission and scale of the Post has grown and evolved over the years, so has the population and economy of the region. Cities such as Killeen, Copperas Cove, and Harker Heights have benefited economically, socially, and culturally from the thousands of Soldiers, civilian contractors, and their families that have lived in the area. Likewise, the people of Central Texas have steadfastly supported and embraced the U.S. Army, Fort Hood, and the brave men and women serving to defend the United States—in times of peace and in times of war.

Indeed, the strong relationships between Fort Hood and area communities have served both to strengthen the U.S. Army’s ability to carry out its mission and to enhance the quality of life for the citizens and soldiers living in the region. The new Killeen-Fort Hood Regional Airport is just the most recent example of what can be achieved when the region and Fort Hood partner together.

PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE PROJECT

TIP Strategies, Inc. has been engaged by the City of Killeen and the Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce – which serves the communities of Killeen, Harker Heights, and Nolanville – to assist the Fort Hood region in developing a plan that identifies, measures, and capitalizes on new and emerging economic development opportunities present in the region. And while the ultimate goal of the plan –
Operation Economic Transformation – is to reduce the region’s military-related economic dependency, to be successful it cannot ignore the significant growth opportunities associated with Fort Hood, including the future Texas A&M University – Central Texas, the employment potential of military veterans, and commercial expansion of the Killeen-Fort Hood Regional Airport.

To accomplish this, the consulting team worked closely with city and chamber officials and other community development volunteers to identify the area’s challenges and strengths, and to design strategies that will secure the economic vitality of the Fort Hood region for future generations.

We began by conducting an assessment of the area’s economic base to help understand the opportunities available and identify the most pressing challenges facing Killeen and the area surrounding Fort Hood. The results of this work were refined based on input from city officials and other key stakeholders. To maximize participation in the process, the consulting team conducted individual
and group inte views with representatives of industry, retail, transportation, education, economic development, military retirees, city government, and others.

This document represents the culmination of this work. It is intended to provide the
Fort Hood region with a framework for diversified economic growth in the future.

Read Full Document...

Operation Economic Transformation is the Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce plan to identify, measure, and capitalize on new and emerging economic development opportunities present in the Fort Hood region. One key recommendation was to regularly administer a survey designed to capture insightful information regarding the skills and desired career fields of veterans separating from military service at Fort Hood. In July 2006, the following parties entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to routinely inventory the intentions, educational level, skills, employment desires, and suggestions of separating Soldiers in order to improve the Fort Hood regional “Quality of Place”:

• Fort Hood Adjutant General/Army Career and Alumni Program (ACAP)
• Workforce Solutions of Central Texas - Board
• Workforce Solutions of Central Texas - Service Centers
• Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce
• Heart Of Texas Defense Alliance
• texas Veterans Commission

Data is collected via a voluntary twelve-question survey administered during either the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) workshop or installation final clearance1. The purpose for the collection and analysis of this data is threefold:

1. Develop and retain the region’s skilled and motivated military Veteran workforce;;
2. Foster innovation and entrepreneurship; retain existing businesses, and attract new business to the region; and
3. Align the efforts of the participating agencies to enhance options for current and future/potential residents.

Download Recent Veterans Inventory Initiate Quarterly Reports courtesy of the Heart of Texas Defense Alliance:

4th Quarter 2010 | 3rd Quarter 2010 | 2nd Quarter 2010 | 1st Quarter 2010 | 

4th Quarter 2009 | 3rd Quarter 2009 | 2nd Quarter 2009 | 1st Quarter 2009 |

4th Quarter 2008 | 3rd Quarter 2008 | 2nd Quarter 2008 | 1st Quarter 2008

4th Quarter 2007 | 3rd Quarter 2007 | 2nd Quarter 2007  | 1st Quarter 2007

The Central Texas Economic Corridor (CTEC) is an organization comprised of economic development professionals from Killeen, Temple, Belton, and Copperas Cove.

As a group, CTEC recognizes the importance of creating a place that is attractive to next genereation workers.  As an extension of this, CTEC hired Next Generation Consulting to conduct a how study.

Here is the report.

Wage & Benifit Survey and Analysis for Central Texas

The Wage & Benefit Survey and Analysis for Central Texas equired the efforts of a team of specialists ranging from economic developers to economists. These experts constructed a survey instrument and consulted with the staff of the Belton Economic development Corporation, Copperas Cove Economic Development Corporation, Killeen Chamber of Commerce, Temple Economic Development Corporation, and the Central Texas Workforce Center to identify companies within these counties to be included in the survey process.

The objectives of the study were to:

1) Determine wage ranges for various occupations.
2) Identify various employee benefits being offered within the region.
3) Average time job postings remain open.
4) Average rates for absenteeism.
5) Annual turnover rate.

View the entire wage and benefit study.