Carrollton, Texas is now officially tuning into a melodious future. The Texas Music Office has crowned the city as the latest Music Friendly Texas Certified Community, a distinction signaling Carrollton's commitment to nurturing its local music scene. According to a statement from the Office of the Texas Governor, the honor comes after a rigorous certification process and arrives with high hopes of bolstering the city's economic development and job creation through music.
Gov. Abbott was keen to laud Carrollton's efforts, saying, "Music is key to the Texas brand and is deeply rooted in the cultural traditions of our great state." He went on to credit Music Friendly Texas Communities for working tirelessly to attract, and develop the local music industry. This statewide initiative contributes to an industry generating more than $26 billion in economic activity and supports upwards of 192,000 jobs. Carrollton's new status, as the 69th member of this exclusive club, places it on the map for potential music industry stakeholders who might seek new venues and audiences, as reported by the Office of the Texas Governor.
Local representatives shared their city pride, with Representative Julie Johnson highlighting Carrollton's cultural diversity and Representative Benjamin Bumgarner celebrating the communal joy of music. Mayor Steve Babick and Executive Director of Development Ravi Shah both recognized the certification as a reflection of Carrollton's ongoing dedication to arts and entertainment, as emphasized in its Destination 2040 community development plan.
The official ceremony for Carrollton's certification is set to be a high note in the city's calendar, taking place at the Festival at the Switchyard. This venue is no foreign concept to blending music, community, and economic growth. The Texas Music Office, a division of the Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office, which operates within the Office of the Governor, has been fostering the growth of the state's music businesses since 1990, and running the unique Music Friendly Community Program since 2016. It's a linchpin for industry info, liaison services, and economic attraction, seeing music not just as the heart, but also the hard currency of Texas's cultural heritage.
For more details on Carrollton's musical milestone, festival-goers and curious citizens alike can find information on the event through Carrollton's marketing manager, Susan Prosoco. Those looking into the wider Music Friendly Texas program can tune into what's unfolding across the state, as cities and communities alike strike chords for economic and cultural growth in unison.
