Economic Summit Helps Nonprofits Navigate
Federal tax policy, vocational training and local economic development were among the topics addressed by a trio of featured speakers February 16 during the United Way Economic Summit. More than 130 people attended the event, which examined local, state and national economic trends in order to help area nonprofits navigate these challenging economic times.
“Even in difficult economic times, we still have a shortage of skilled workers,” said Tom Pauken, Chair of the Texas Workforce Commission. He advocated for greater emphasis on craft training and skill training. “There’s a significant skills gap in our nation and our state,” he said.
Pauken (shown at left) also expressed concern about illegal drug use. “We’ve got to discourage young people from getting into the drug culture in the first place,” he said. “A company is not going to hire someone to run sophisticated equipment if they are drug-impaired.” Pauken said the issue provides an opportunity for businesses and educators to work together to address the problem.
David Berzina (at right), Executive Vice President for Economic Development at the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, talked about local business trends that may favorably affect support for nonprofit organizations. He noted that 15 companies that moved to Fort Worth or expanded their Fort Worth operations last year represent $5.6 million in sales taxes and $11.4 million in property taxes collected the first year. Property taxes from these companies include $6.8 million for school districts and $2 million for the Tarrant County College and Hospital Districts and Tarrant Regional Water District.
Most of the 2012 economic development prospects “in the pipeline” are in manufacturing, which is an indication that the economy is improving, Berzina said. “I’m excited where we’re headed,” he added. When companies move into the area, he said, it provides nonprofits with opportunities to tell the newcomers who they are and to recruit new volunteers.
As the largest and most active natural gas field in the country, the Barnett Shale continues to be a North Texas economic force with an annual output of $11 billion, Berzina said. He said companies associated with the Barnett Shale already have contributed millions of dollars to local charities, and industry observers expect Barnett Shale activity to continue for the next 20-30 years.
Steve Taylor (left), Senior Vice President and Counsel for Public Policy at United Way Worldwide outside Washington, D.C., discussed upcoming federal legislation. Impending automatic cuts in nondefense discretionary spending that goes to nonprofits, the scheduled expiration of the Bush-era tax cuts this year, and the proposed charitable tax deduction cap all have implications for nonprofits in Tarrant County and elsewhere, he said. “Tax policy matters a lot,” he said.
Taylor said that Congress is currently squeezed between the upcoming election and the need to act. “There’s enormous pressure building,” he said. He suspects that many of the budget and tax policy issues will come to a head after the election during a lengthy lame duck session of Congress. He encouraged the Economic Summit audience to convey their thoughts about budget and tax policy issues to their elected officials.
United Way Thanks Our Economic Summit Co-Sponsors:
