The city of Taylor honored former Taylor Economic Development Corporation Executive Director John B. Nelson, Ph.D. for his early efforts that led to a big announcement from the University of Texas at Austin Thursday, May 9.
The proclamation, read by Mayor Brandt Rydell at the Taylor City Council meeting, commended Nelson for his work in the early days of the EDC that paved the way for the creation of the future University of Texas at Austin-Taylor Center, announced by the University eariler that day.
Representatives from the Taylor EDC and the Temple College at Taylor Foundation were on hand to witness the proclamation and applaud Nelson.
Nelson, who served as the executive director of the Taylor EDC from its inception in 1994 until his retirement in 2008, was instrumental in purchasing the land where the center will be located.
“Mr. Nelson spearheaded numerous projects that benefitted the city, including the expansion of ERCOT and the creation of the Temple College at Taylor Foundation to provide classroom facilities for educational purposes,” the proclamation said.
Rydell said the Center is a great thing for Taylor and a fitting legacy for Nelson’s efforts.
“Dr. Nelson really was a visionary for our city’s future. The city is thrilled to welcome the University of Texas at Austin,” Rydell said. “UT’s presence in our vibrant, growing community with the Taylor Center will provide even more opportunities for future generations and help solidify the city’s place as a center for progress and enrichment in Williamson County and the State of Texas. We are grateful to Dr. Nelson and the TCAT Foundation for their foresight and dedication that made this partnership possible.”
Betty Day, current chair of the Taylor TEDC, also commended Nelson’s legacy and welcomed the new center.
“This announcement is great news, not only for the city of Taylor, but for the entire region, and we are proud that Dr. Nelson had the wisdom to ensure that this land would be available for this opportunity,” Day said. “This center will add to the many elements that make the city of Taylor a great place to live, work and play. In addition to giving the young people in the city of Taylor more options to pursue higher education close to home, it will also have the potential to support our growing business community with needed human capital, workforce development and economic growth. We look forward to working with TCAT and the University in the coming years.”
