The Austin Chamber of Commerce and Fort Hood’s leadership today announced Operation Austin, a first-of-its-kind partnership designed to bridge critical talent gaps in Central Texas and position Austin as one of the leaders in the nation in veteran recruitment. Through the coalition, Fort Hood and the Austin Chamber are developing new programs to connect Austin businesses with veteran talent, provide consolidated labor market research on Central Texas jobs and resources, and create an Austin startup accelerator advisor team for veterans interested in becoming entrepreneurs. Click here to view our press release.

Several members of Congress showed their support for this new collaboration:

“The ‘Great Place’ is a community that fully supports our soldiers and veterans better than any post in the world. This program will ensure the men and women leaving the military will be able to stay, live and work right here in Central Texas, where we want them to be! I comment Fort Hood and the City of Austin for making our veterans and their families a priority.”

– Congressman John Carter

“All too often, the transition from active duty to civilian life is a needlessly difficult one. I am pleased to see the Austin Chamber of Commerce help pair our talented veteran population at Ft. Hood with businesses who need high-skilled workers in the appropriately named ‘Operation Austin.’”

– Congressman Lloyd Doggett

“Our military men and women have given much to our country through their service and sacrifice. Operation Austin will provide Central Texas veterans with great employment opportunities and allow them to lead successful careers. I commend this collaborative commitment to provide and promote private sector jobs to our nation’s veterans.”

– U.S. Representative Bill Flores

“Veterans are a national treasure and should be treated as such. We can no longer sit idly by while those who have given the most to our country are continuously ignored. I’m proud to support Operation Austin and proud to see two communities that I represent in Congress come together and form this unique partnership.

Operation Austin will develop new programs to connect Austin businesses with veteran talent. While almost 600-800 soldiers separate from Fort Hood each month, many are interested in staying in Central Texas.

The State of Texas is home to nearly 1.5 million veterans, with many of them calling Central Texas home. With nearly 9% of all Veterans in Texas unemployed last year, partnerships such as these can and will make the difference. It is reprehensible to sit back and watch our veterans suffer. I commend this new collaboration and pledge my full support.”

– U.S. Representative Roger Williams

To participate in the Feb. 26 job fair, please visit austinchamber.com/forthood.