During a recent Midland City Council meeting, Mayor Lori Blom announced the celebration of National Business Women's Week, proclaiming October 21-25 as a time to honor the contributions of working women. The highlight of the event was the recognition of Krista Escamilla as this year's Woman of Achievement. Escamilla, a local business owner, expressed gratitude for the honor, emphasizing the importance of community and collaboration among women in the workforce.

The Business and Professional Women's Association of Midland, which supports women in business and raises awareness for community issues, played a significant role in the celebration. The organization aims to promote equality and improve conditions for working women, reflecting the broader national trend where women constitute nearly half of the workforce and own 35% of U.S. businesses.

In addition to the celebration, the meeting included discussions on infrastructure development. Gabe McClellan from the engineering services department presented on the city-county partnership for roadway development, highlighting the collaborative efforts that have led to significant improvements in local infrastructure. Over the past several years, the partnership has completed 16 roadway projects, with a total investment of approximately $6 million.

McClellan detailed ongoing and future projects, including the construction of Occidental Parkway, which is set to begin in January 2025. This project aims to enhance connectivity in Northeast Midland, addressing the growing traffic demands in the area. The council also discussed the importance of right-of-way acquisition and the need for continued collaboration with Midland County to meet the infrastructure needs of the expanding community.

Overall, the meeting underscored the city's commitment to supporting women in business while also addressing critical infrastructure challenges through strategic partnerships.