LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) – Gov. Greg Abbott met with Webb County and business leaders Feb. 5 to discuss bringing more jobs to the county and possible solutions to workforce challenges.
Abbott traveled from the state Capitol to Laredo, where he met privately with Webb County entrepreneurs, business leaders, realtors and bankers to discuss ways to increase jobs in the workforce.
“Small businesses are truly the heartbeat of the Texas economy. Texas is home to more than 3.5 million small businesses,” Abbott said.
Small businesses face rising costs
Despite economic growth, small businesses are facing significant challenges. Abbott said the rising cost of insurance places a heavy burden on them, and they also struggle to find skilled workers.
Among those present at the roundtable was Jesse Gonzalez, Webb County commissioner for Precinct 1.
“We’re needing the carpenters, the electricians, the HVAC personnel, the welders, you know, and of course the Governor agrees, and says why isn’t there a technical college here in Laredo?” Gonzalez said.
Technical training solutions explored
Solutions related to increasing training for technical jobs were also explored during the meeting.
“We’re expanding high school training programs to make sure that a student can graduate from high school and be ready to go right into that workforce,” Abbott said.
It is not clear whether new programs will be introduced at the high school level in Laredo, but Gonzalez expressed optimism.
“We’re expecting great news to come down the pipeline pretty soon,” Gonzalez said.
At the press conference, Abbott said high costs drive businesses from other states to Texas. He specifically blamed California’s regulations for forcing companies to relocate.
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