Ortiz notes GCCHCC emphasizes education

By Kyle Mooty

LPR Editor

Rob Ortiz, Chairman for the Greater Caldwell County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, addressed the Lockhart Chamber of Commerce Monthly Luncheon last week at the First Lockhart National Bank Connection Center.

GCCHCC was founded in 1987. Ortiz said one of the main things its emphasizes is education.

“With trying to get ACC (Austin Community College) rolling, we’re trying to create a workforce that lives here,” Ortiz said. “There is a lot of growth coming our way. It’s the right growth. Our mayor can attest to that. We’re trying to make sure that students have the opportunity whether it’s entering the workforce directly or whether it’s going to college, higher education, or a trade school, through our 5K/10K event which we have with Cinco de Mayo, we award different. We award different scholarships, not only here at Lockhart ISD but Luling ISD and Prairie Lea.”

The 2024 5K/10K allowed GCCHCC to award $14,500 in scholarships.

“We also are part of the LEAD program with the Lockhart Chamber of Commerce as well that provides a grant to an (entrepreneur) student coming out of Lockhart High School,” Ortiz said. “They present their business model, and we select the winner. Last year we awarded $15,000.”

In other business:

Lockhart Mayor Lew White noted the first stage of the Downtown Revitalization Project had begun.

“It’s a two-year project, so we ask for your patience and your understanding, White said, adding the city’s website and social media pages would provide regular updates.

Lockhart ISD Superintendent Mark Estrada said the district has 6,800 students with another 60 kids in the system’s que.

Estrada also gave an update regarding LISD construction projects.

“The new addition at Lockhart High School is ahead of schedule,” Estrada said. “We think we’ll have kids in it in January. We opened the new cafeteria on the first day of school. And there is lots of movement happening with the new Borchert Loop Elementary School.”

On Friday, Oct. 4, the Education Foundation for Lockhart ISD is hosting its 8th annual Golf Tournament at Plum Creek. For more information, visit foundation4lisd.com and click on Golf Tournament. The cost is $600 per team. That includes breakfast, lunch and all games that take place on the course.

The Chamber’s Member of the Month was Evening with the Authors, which is in its 24th year. (See related story on Page 1.)

Tickets for Evening with the Authors are $25. A ticket covers all food, wine and other beverages.

The Lockhart Chamber of Commerce is currently soliciting applications for new board members for terms that will begin in January 2025. They are three-year terms.

The next Lockhart Chamber of Commerce Luncheon is set for Thursday, Oct. 10 at First Lockhart Baptist Church Connection Center beginning at noon. It will be sponsored by Bluebonnet Electric Coop and all First Responders in Caldwell County will be recognized.