Harris County Precinct 4 is developing a skilled & sustainable workforce

08 Feb, 24

Every resident in Harris County deserves access to quality education, housing, and job opportunities. In 2023, Precinct 4 moved the needle on the following: 
STRENGTHENED WORKFORCE WITH HISTORIC APPRENTICESHIP INVESTMENT 
Commissioner Briones and her colleagues on Commissioners Court bolstered the region's workforce through a $10.9 million investment in the Apprenticeship Advantage program, which increases apprenticeship opportunities in traditional and high-growth industries within Harris County. 
EXPANDED AFFORDABLE CHILD CARE 
Harris County invested over $26 million in federal funding for the Early REACH program to provide free child care to at least 800 children aged 0-4 in Harris County child care deserts. 
PASSED GROUNDBREAKING CONTRACTOR SAFETY POLICY 
Commissioners adopted a contractor safety policy to require contractors to provide OSHA safety training for workers. This policy protects the health and safety of our workforce. 
AWARDED MORE CONTRACT DOLLARS TO MINORITY- AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES 
Minority- and women-owned business enterprises (M/WBEs) were awarded over 27% of the County's contract dollars during FY23. This is an over 40% increase from FY 22, and a 201% increase from before the program started. 
EXPANDED AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPTIONS 
All residents and their families deserve affordable, quality housing options. Commissioner Briones approved multi-million-dollar investments in single-family and multi-family housing options for low-income and working-class families. 
JOINED TWO TIRZs 
Precinct 4 moved the needle on critical infrastructure investments and economic development by joining two tax increment reinvestment zones, or TIRZs, located primarily within the precinct: TIRZ #1 St. George Place Redevelopment Authority and TIRZ #20 Southwest Houston Redevelopment Authority. 
Photo caption: An apprentice sheet metal worker learns to fabricate, install, and repair sheet metal products for construction and manufacturing at a facility in Hockley.