Last week, the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce launched the Texas Coalition of Defense Communities (TCDC). The Chamber created the TCDC to take a collective approach to advocating for policies, legislation, and initiatives that impact military missions – active, guard, and reserve. Texas’ military installations, infrastructure and personnel generate more than 136.6 billion to the state’s economy and make invaluable contributions to national security.
“Texas is the proud home to 15 military installations and the U.S. Army Futures Command, as our support for our nation’s military remains unwavering,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “I thank the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce for launching the Texas Coalition of Defense Communities to support military installations in Texas and our nation's security. This coalition and its partners will play an important role in helping attract more military missions to Texas, ensure our brave men and women in uniform can benefit from the best economic opportunities, and bring together community and business leaders in military communities at the state and federal level. I look forward to working with the TCDC as we continue to support our nation's military and service members across Texas.”
The coalition was announced during a press conference that featured remarks from Dave Petersen, Interim President and CEO, San Antonio Chamber of Commerce; Representative Ray Lopez, Vice Chair of the House Defense & Veterans' Affairs Committee; Representative Terry Wilson, Chair of the House Defense & Veterans' Affairs Committee, and Senator Kelly Hancock, Chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee.
TCDC partners include civic and business leadership of Texas’ military-connected communities and organizations that best represent the most active and engaged members from a business, industry, and economic development perspective. Current partners include:
- Abilene Chamber of Commerce
- Austin Chamber of Commerce
- Belton Area Chamber of Commerce
- City of Texarkana
- City of Del Rio
- Dallas Regional Chamber
- Del Rio Chamber Foundation
- El Paso Chamber of Commerce
- Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce
- Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce
- Harker Heights Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center
- Houston Military Affairs Committee (HMAC)
- Kingsville Chamber of Commerce
- Lampasas County Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center
- San Angelo Chamber of Commerce
- San Antonio Chamber of Commerce
- Sheppard Military Affairs Committee (SMAC)
- Temple Chamber of Commerce
- United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce
- Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce
The TCDC partners will work to avoid reductions in infrastructure, personnel and funding and seek to attract new missions and increase defense-related employment.
“This new and innovative coalition will work to coordinate and promote collaboration across public and private partners and ensure the needs of our military missions and service members are a priority. Having such strong partners will allow all of us to maximize collective impact and leverage existing resources where possible, both at the state and federal levels,” says Katie Harvey, Chief Executive Officer of KGBTexas Communications and 2023 San Antonio Chamber of Commerce Board Chair.
TCDC will speak with one voice to our state and federal representatives, spearheading important advocacy on items that impact the state of Texas’ military missions. As the end of the 88th Texas Legislative Session approaches, TCDC will continue advocacy efforts at the federal level and keep the state’s military communities connected.
“Texas will certainly benefit from a forward-thinking approach to protecting military missions, ensuring installation resiliency, and actively engaging in discussions around any closing, realigning, or restructuring that would impact military installations in the State,” says Dave Petersen, Interim CEO and President of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. “Leveraging the partners resources to enhance, expand, add, or otherwise improve missions, programs, facilities, or operations affecting the State's military installations will be a great step forward in ensuring Texas continues to be the nation’s leader in supporting our military missions and service members.”
For information on how to participate as a TCDC partner or ways to contribute, email Lori Stinson.