Annexation Ceremony for UTHSCT

TYLER — Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass and Dr. Kirk Calhoun, president of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler (UTHSCT), jointly hosted a ceremony Wednesday to mark the annexation of UTHSCT into the city limits of Tyler. “As illustrated in the Industry Growth Initiative plan, the higher education and healthcare industries are critical components of Tyler’s local economy,” said Bass. “Health care provides for more than 25,000 jobs in our region and has an economic impact estimated at $3.1 billion. By annexing UTHSCT into Tyler city limits, we are taking an important step in continuing to support and grow these industries.”

“We are pleased to see this process move forward,” said Calhoun. “We look forward to becoming a part of Tyler not only in name, but as a partner in our city’s future growth and development.” Calhoun notes that the move will allow the two entities to jointly pursue grants in community and public health, as well as educational opportunities. An announcement was in fact made about a new joint community education program. Calhoun says it will give citizens, particularly younger ones, opportunities to experience the workings of the health center first-hand.

The voluntary annexation of the campus was initiated by representatives of UTHSCT and is allowed under the State Annexation Law in the Texas Local Government Code. With the addition of the campus, Tyler is now 57.02 square miles or 36,494.90 acres.