BOERNE KENDALL COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION HOSTS “HOME TO TEXAS” PROGRAM INTERNS

Media Contact:

Amy Story (830) 331-9070 or amy@bkcedc.com

BOERNE KENDALL COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

HOSTS “HOME TO TEXAS” PROGRAM INTERNS

July 15, 2024 BOERNE, TX—The Boerne Kendall County Economic Development Corporation (BKCEDC) sponsored Kendall County’s participation in the Home to Texas Program. Five University of Texas students from the area returned to their home community to complete an internship.

“Home to Texas” is a grant and community-funded summer program affiliated with the University of Texas at Austin that connects first-year students with internships and research opportunities in their hometown communities.

Many students from small or rural communities attend UT Austin; however, few return to their hometowns after graduation for work. As a result, many Texas communities lose a significant talent base of future professionals and leaders. In response to this emigration of talent, the School of Undergraduate Studies and Texas Career Engagement have partnered to host the Home to Texas program (an initiative launched by IC2 Institute). Undergraduate student participants return to their hometowns after their first year at UT Austin to complete a full-time summer internship and to engage in community research. The goals of this program are to develop a strong professional foundation early on in the student’s UT experience, to build connections for a potential future in the student’s home community, and to help prepare the next generation of community leaders.

This summer, SEnergy, Prytime Medical Devices, Manifestive Design, Kendall County Engineering Department and Bat Conservation International, all hosted interns from the program.

The BKCEDC hosted a reception at Das GreenHaus to recognize the students and employers who participated in this year’s program and were joined by representatives of the Home to Texas program including Dr. Brent Iverson and Bradley Matthews of UT Austin. Amy Story, President/CEO of the BKCEDC stated, “Our continued participation in the Home to Texas program is crucial for our efforts to bring talent back to our community after they leave for higher educational opportunities, and it also provides insight to the students that strong career possibilities already exist in their hometown. We have also learned it’s a great opportunity for our community businesses that participate as a professional development tool for their staff.”

The BKCEDC is a 501(c)(6) public, private non- profit membership organization whose mission is “to promote business opportunities that will strengthen and grow a vibrant and diverse economic future for Kendall County.”

From L to R Front: Samantha Spencer, Cassidy Bernstein; Back: Bradley Mathews, Juliana Flores, Elle Nicholson, Kendall County Judge Shane Stolarczyk, Amy Story, Kendall County Commissioner Richard Chapman, Ryan George, Dr. Brent Iverson.

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