Marshall Economic Summit highlights progress and promise across the community

The 3rd Annual Economic Summit hosted by Marshall Economic Development served as an educational session highlighting ongoing development and progress at a variety of local institutions. Simultaneously, it broadcast a vision for the next several years with a dual theme of “Imagine Our Future’ and “Our Future under Construction.” The event demonstrated the importance of collaboration for long-term progress by featuring insights and discourse from an assortment of local leaders focused on growth. 

Panelists offer insights into Marshall’s present and future

To further the construction theme, the event focused on having a vision for the future and built on this through presentations and activities. Dr. Ray Perryman, president and CEO of The Perryman Group, a Texas-based economic research and analysis firm, served as a keynote speaker for the event. John Cook, the mayor of El Paso from 2005 to 2013, also addressed the audience and shared insights into economic development advancements in El Paso and how similar principles could be applied in Marshall. 

Dr. Blair Blackburn, President of East Texas Baptist University, and Dr. Herman J. Felton Jr., President and CEO of Wiley University, provided updates on higher education in Marshall while Superintendent Dr. Richele Langley offered news and a vision for the Marshall ISD. The panelist section of the event was moderated by Leon Carter, noted attorney and former ETBU Alum.

Our Future under Construction

Following local updates and speaker comments, a final session at the Economic Summit zeroed in on the importance of collaboration and planning with engaging hands-on exercises. Building on the construction theme, two teams of local elected and appointed officials were selected and presented with two different theoretical scenarios requiring a coordinated response. One scenario was disaster-based with a tornado moving through the community. The second scenario - Amazon establishing a presence in town (theoretical only) – featured an economic focus, with a mock 250 jobs arriving in town and new demand for services such as utilities and housing. 

Each team of officials had 20 minutes to discuss the scenario, devise an action plan, and prepare to present the plan to the summit attendees. City Council members, County Commissioners, ISD trustees, EDC board members, and Chamber of Commerce board members, in mixed entity groups, all participated to demonstrate their quick-thinking skills and, more importantly, highlight their willingness to work together to plan and prepare for the future in Marshall and Harrison County. 

Marshall Economic Development thanks the following individuals for participating in this interactive session:

• Mark Robinson, moderator
• Orlando Valle, Marshall EDC
• Jay Ebarb, Harrison County
• Ted Huffhines, Marshall ISD
• Dathaniel Campbell, City of Marshall
• Amy Hooper, Marshall EDC
• Debbie Rogers, Chamber of Commerce
• Amy Ware, City of Marshall
• Vivian Lewis, Chamber of Commerce
• Cathy Marshall, Marshall ISD
• Zepheniah Timmins, Harrison County

Other contributors to the event included Rush Harris, Felecia Herndon, Amber Thibodeaux, Teresa Wright, Heather Hill, and David Newell II. Matis Productions and SPAR Productions also helped coordinate logistics, and the event was held at Cypress Valley Bible Church.

Following the success of this year’s Economic Summit, plans for next year’s event are already underway, with Thursday, March 18, selected as the date for the event. 

To learn more about upcoming events and the latest economic development news in Marshall, Texas, visit our website here.