Hearing on EWCHEC Monday
Proponents of a higher education center in East Williamson County are encouraging Taylor and Hutto residents to attend a legislative hearing Monday in Austin.

East Williamson County Higher Education Center Project Director Chuck McCarter and his executive team are scheduled to speak to the House Higher Education Committee at 8 a.m. Monday.

The team will testify in support of House Bill 2074, which would create Texas A&M - Central Texas as a general academic institution with facilities in Williamson and Bell counties. Representative Mike Krusee authored the bill.

Representative Geanie Morrison heads up the nine-member Higher Education Committee, which will hear testimony from McCarter, Taylor ISD Superintendent Bruce Scott, Taylor Economic Development Corporation Executive Director John Nelson, Hutto ISD Superintendent David Borrer and Hutto Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Jim Aanstoos.

“I believe much of the groundwork is in place, thanks to the efforts of Rep. Krusee, but we will offer our vision of the project and its obvious impact on economic development, our growing needs in workforce readiness and the ideas of Early College, Middle College and other educational opportunities,” McCarter said.

The East Williamson County Higher Education Center project originated with talks between McCarter and Scott in the spring of 2005. It includes a higher education partnership between multiple educational institutions with a focus on workforce readiness and “tuition-free” Middle College and Early College opportunities for high school students.

The hearing will be in the House chambers. Taylor and Hutto residents who are able to attend are asked to sign-in and check “yes” in support of Texas A&M - Central Texas in East Williamson County.