Sophie Villarreal
In the annual Bryan/College Station Economic Outlook Conference, attendees were presented with a comprehensive exploration of the area’s economic landscape, featuring insights from local representatives and industry experts.
The three session event started off with Ginger Carrabine, Superintendent of Bryan ISD, followed by Tim Harkrider, Ph.D., Superintendent of College Station ISD. Carrabine and Harkrider each discussed anticipated growth in their respective school districts, 2023 accomplishments and anticipated improvements for 2024.
Carrabine highlighted Bryan ISD’s Career and Technical Education programs, or CTEs. With over 80% of students enrolled in a CTE, the school district offers more programs than almost any district across the nation, including courses for automotive technology, graphic design and law enforcement careers.
In College Station ISD, Harkrider says the district is projected to experience significant growth in coming years. Currently housing 14,469 students across the 19 College Station campuses, CSISD is expected to see about a 7% growth, reaching upwards of 15,500 students by 2034. Harkrider says the school district is continuing to improve as they grow, using the 2021 and 2023 Bond funds for technology advancements, facility renovations, additional buses and more.
Susan Ballabina, Ph.D., took the stage as the final speaker in Session I. As the Chief of Staff to the President at Texas A&M University, Ballabina shared updates from the leading employer in the Brazos Valley.
Ballabina says that in fiscal year 2021-22, Texas A&M’s impact in the Brazos Valley totaled at $3.4 billion. The University has over $600 million worth of planned and current projects in 2024 for continued expansions and development of the campus as they work to accommodate for the growing student population.
In Session II, attendees heard from city and county representatives as they discussed the yearly budget and future projects in and around the Brazos Valley. William Smith, CPA and Chief Financial Officer of the City of Bryan, announced that 2024 is the first year that the City of Bryan has had an expenditure budget over $500 million, and the city will see increased renovations and redevelopment, including the reopening of 100-year-old Lasalle Hotel in Downtown Bryan and plans for a mixed-use development on College Avenue.
Speakers in Session III included representatives from the Brazos Valley Economic Development Corporation, B/CS Metropolitan Planning Organization and Brazos Valley Council of Governments.
President and CEO of the BV Economic Development Corporation Susan Davenport provided a detailed presentation of the B/CS business cycle, including a “playbook” of propositions for regional opportunities for growth, such as reimagining Easterwood Airport. Davenport says that the size of the airport currently serves as a limitation to further growth in the B/CS area.
To conclude the 2024 EOC, James P. Gaines, Ph.D., the former chief economist for the Texas Real Estate Research Center at Texas A&M took the stage to deliver the keynote speech on the local, state and national economic forecast for 2024.
In his keynote presentation, Gaines addressed the speculation of the United States entering into a recession. According to Gaines, international inflation seen in 2023 is anticipated to return to normal as post-pandemic spending slows down. Though the economy remains “problematic,” Gaines says that we have most likely avoided a real recession.
Gaines concluded the day with good news: based on findings from the Texas A&M Real Estate Research Center, 2024 is projected to see positive economic growth with increased job opportunities, lower unemployment, and a well-fairing housing market.
For more information on the 2024 B/CS Economic Outlook Conference, visit bcschamber.org/digital-notebook to view each of the speakers' presentations.
