Kirk Preston Watson - Mayor of Austin, Texas | Twitter
Kirk Preston Watson - Mayor of Austin, Texas | Twitter
The City of Austin has formalized a Friendship Cities Agreement with Greater Manchester, England. The agreement was signed on March 7 by Austin Mayor Kirk Watson and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham at a ceremony held at Austin City Hall.
This partnership is designed to promote collaboration in areas such as economic development, innovation, science and technology, education, tourism, arts and music, and urban development. It aims to facilitate knowledge sharing and foster business connections and cultural exchanges for the benefit of both cities' residents and businesses.
“Austin thrives on creativity, entrepreneurship, and connection,” said Mayor Watson. “Greater Manchester mirrors that energy. By joining forces, we are setting the stage for incredible collaborations that will inspire growth and opportunity in both cities."
An initial series of cultural and business exchanges will focus on music. The first event under this agreement is the Austin Music Trade Alliance Kick-Off on March 9. This free community concert will be part of SXSW Community Concerts at Lady Bird Lake. Greater Manchester’s OneDa will perform alongside Austin-based bands as part of an ongoing partnership between SXSW and the City of Austin Office of Arts, Culture, Music & Entertainment.
“Greater Manchester and Austin are cities that don’t just adapt to change; we drive it,” stated Mayor Burnham. “Whether in tech, music, or business, we are ready to exchange ideas.”
The agreement encourages engagement between government agencies, businesses, and cultural organizations in both cities. It also establishes an annual implementation plan to guide collaboration efforts. A visit to Manchester is planned for next year to further explore the potential for elevating the relationship to a formal Sister City designation.
Austin currently has 14 Sister Cities along with two Friendship Cities. The relationships are managed by Austin Sister Cities International (ASCI), a volunteer-led initiative.
For more information about the Economic Development Department's Global Business Expansion Division, interested parties can visit their website.
Alerts Sign-up