FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: September 19, 2018
Contact: Erica Pangburn, Director of Community Engagement 325-677-7241
Abilene Chamber Board Endorses Cisco College Maintenance Tax
Abilene, TX, September 19, 2018 – The Abilene Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors met Wednesday morning, Sept. 19 to consider support and endorsement of the Cisco College Maintenance Tax on the Nov. 6 ballot. Cisco College is proposing a five cent per $100 valuation tax increase to fund the following JUST A NICKEL initiatives:
- JUST A NICKEL will lower tuition at Cisco College for Taylor County residents by making them eligible for in-district tuition. This will save Taylor County residents $2,100 on an Associate’s degree.
- JUST A NICKEL will support the mission of Cisco College’s commitment to Abilene, Taylor County, and the Region to create more programs to enhance the opportunities available to students.
- JUST A NICKEL will aid Cisco College in making a positive impact on the local economy through placement of graduates in healthcare, career and technical occupations throughout the region.
Doug Peters, Chamber president, praised the board’s action, noting the significance of the available, skilled workforce as chief among the area’s economic development strategy.
“The availability of skilled workers and the promise of vocational training to help our community’s unemployed and under-employed has the potential to better position the region for industrial investment, both in terms of capital and jobs,” Peters said.
Justin Jaworski, Abilene Industrial Foundation: "On Tuesday, September 18, the Abilene Industrial Foundation voted to support both the AISD bond election and the Cisco Maintenance Tax. These two considerations represent tremendous need and opportunity for their students and directly address the community's greatest need: to develop and retain the talent that will power our local businesses for many years to come."
The Chamber’s Board of Directors voted unanimously to endorse and support Cisco College in this endeavor.
For more information contact the Abilene Chamber of Commerce. erica@abilenechamber.com
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