Tomball Economic Development Corporation staff and program participants told council the EDC's Summer Youth Employment Program placed 33 paid interns this year and is seeking additional funding to expand placements. "I am elated with the progress that this program has has made both with our participating businesses as well as our interns," said Tiffany, TEDC staff, during the workshop. Tiffany said 19 businesses participated, 118 students applied, and the EDC placed 33 students into paid internships; interns worked between 140 and 280 hours depending on roles. The program is for students aged about 16 to 20, with an extension to age 22 for interns with disabilities, Tiffany said. Students and business representatives who spoke on the program described hands-on benefits. One youth participant said, "It feels like Tomball's really cared, you know, and that's not something many people in other cities can say." Another participant told the meeting the program "break(s) it down into a way that's digestible" for young people without prior workforce experience. The EDC recommended increasing the SYEP budget to $250,000 for fiscal 2026 to enlarge business participation and student placements; staff described a near-term goal of raising placements substantially (staff said they would aim for 39 part-time and 40 full-time positions under one proposed scenario and longer-term goals of 100 or more placements over several years). Tiffany said the EDC plans to form an advisory committee of business owners and education representatives to guide growth and to return with further recommendations as part of the EDC budget process. The recommendation appeared in the EDC packet and was presented to council during the workshop; the EDC board previously approved its draft budget on Aug. 19 and the council workshop served as the public presentation prior to any council action. The program also received national recognition: EDC staff said the organization won two gold awards and one bronze from the International Economic Development Council, including a gold for the summer youth employment program. Discussion vs. decision: the proposed $250,000 allocation is a staff recommendation within the EDC's proposed FY26 budget; it requires council approval to be appropriated.