Economic Develop Incubator Launched as Part of the Military Talent Pipeline
By Demetra Paizanis,
Communications Coordinator –
Dana Mobley, U.S. Army retired, gives her student perspective to the crowd gathered for the ceremonial wall-breaking of the Forge Economic Development Incubator that is part of the Military Talent Pipeline initiative at A&M–Central Texas.
Texas A&M University–Central Texas launched The Forge Economic Development Incubator with a ceremonial wall breaking on May 6 in downtown Killeen to connect soldiers and veterans with civilian careers in Central Texas.
The Forge will connect veterans and military families with career services, entrepreneurship support and advanced manufacturing resources through the university’s Military Talent Pipeline initiative. The project received $2.5 million in Community Project Funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development with support from Congressman August Pfluger, along with a $2 million legislative appropriation supporting operations of the Military Talent Pipeline.
“The purpose of the incubator is to support workforce development projects, bring new employment opportunities to Central Texas, and support those transitioning from Fort Hood into the workforce,” said Dr. Richard M. Rhodes, president of Texas A&M University–Central Texas.
The downtown facility will include a small business incubator, manufacturing laboratory and makerspace equipped with 3D printers and advanced manufacturing tools. Continuing education programs in data analytics, drone management, and software engineering are also being developed for active-duty personnel, along with a new applied bachelor’s degree in advanced manufacturing.
Following the program, university leaders, elected officials and community partners gathered around a marked interior wall inside the future incubator space to participate in the ceremonial wall breaking.
“What we’re celebrating is more than the breaking of a wall. It’s the building of opportunity,” said Kelly Brown of the Killeen Economic Development Corporation.
The initiative is intended to help retain military-connected talent in Central Texas while expanding workforce opportunities in some of the state’s fastest-growing industries.
“Today, we’re no longer going to just talk about it. We’re actually going to do it,” said State Representative Brad Buckley. “Chapter one is service to our nation. Chapter two is incredible opportunities to better communities and better our state.”
Graduate student Dana Mobley, who retired from the U.S. Army and is pursing a master’s degree in accounting at A&M–Central Texas, described the difficulty of adjusting to civilian life after retiring from the military.
“The one thing that I did not take into consideration is that civilians don’t act like military individuals,” Mobley said. “Everything changed the moment I met Kimberly Washington at orientation. She immediately took me under her wing and scheduled an appointment with me to meet with her at the Miliary and Veteran Services. My journey didn’t end when I took the uniform off. It evolved.”
For more information, visit the website at www.tamuct.edu/mtp.
