Energy State Column- Paul Mullins
October 27, 2023
Elizabethtown Independent Schools has cultivated local, regional and national leaders since 1806. That tradition continues today as we remain steadfast in meeting the needs of our growing community. From the classroom, to athletics, to extracurricular and co-curricular activities, EIS prepares the future workforce of Elizabethtown and helps develop leaders committed to this community and each other.
Our commitment to developing strong workers and leaders means that we are providing opportunities to our students on every level of education. This is critical in light of the tremendous growth our region will experience in the coming years, as illustrated in a recently released economic impact report commissioned by the Hardin County Chamber of Commerce.
We’re thankful for the Chamber, community sponsors and researchers who spent countless hours conducting this research and delivering these findings to our community to help prepare for the future.
Prior to the release of the impact study, our board and administration leaders worked to update our district-wide facility plan to include a career and technical center at Elizabethtown High School to expand opportunities for students in career and technical education.
The current renovation project for T.K. Stone Middle School will support career exploration opportunities as well as anticipated maker spaces and the expansion of potential classrooms across the district.
The study’s findings outline a population surge of 22,380 and an anticipated job growth of 8,016 with a job multiplier of 1.603. These figures reiterate the necessity of our school district’s plans and our board demonstrated incredible foresight in committing to them.
Our teachers, administration and staff recognize that we are educating our future workforce for Elizabethtown and Hardin County.
As an integral part of the Elizabethtown community, valuing collaboration, EIS already partners with over 30 employers to provide students with learning experiences that help prepare them for the workforce. In these co-ops and internships, students gain real-world, hands-on experience invaluable to shaping their future career choices and outlook in the workplace.
As the findings indicate, every sector of life will be impacted interdependently by the economic development happening in our region. For example, the anticipated growth will necessitate an estimated 389 new hospital jobs and 380 new ambulatory care jobs. The recent addition of an allied health pathway at EHS is helping to meet the needs of the current expansion work at Baptist Health Hardin, which is embodied by the hospital’s emerging medical pavilion. These students are training to graduate as select healthcare professionals supporting healthcare providers across our region.
At EIS, everyone is a Panther, from preschool students to seniors across various backgrounds. We’re all connected and we’re excited for the growth happening in Elizabethtown and the opportunity to share our Panther Pride with new families.
To access the entire economic impact study, go to hardinchamber.com/energystate.
A 1983 graduate of Elizabethtown High School, Paul Mullins serves as superintendent for Elizabethtown Independent School District and has more than 30 years experience in public education. Direct questions about the weekly EnergyState column to EnergyState@HardinChamber.com.
