Information on preparedness, plans and events will be provided for this once in a lifetime event
KILLEEN, Texas (Nov. 6, 2023) – The City of Killeen will host a 2024 Solar Eclipse Community Townhall on Monday, Dec. 4 at 6p.m. at City Hall.
The discussion will include preparedness plans, business information, as well as activities and events surrounding the big day — Monday, April 8, 2024 — and the weekend leading up to it.
Killeen’s population of 160,000 is expected to double over a four-day period. Killeen has a prime location in the path of the 2024 eclipse, as it’s in the direct path of totality when the sky will darken at 1:36p.m. in the afternoon, lasting 4 minutes and 16 seconds.
Killeen has 2,500 rooms in 40 hotels across the city and all brand hotels have been sold out in the area. Local businesses have a unique opportunity to attract visitors and increase revenue. The City has also held two business townhalls with the Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce that covered topics such as marketing strategies, staffing plans, predicted impact, planned events, and safety measures.
Attendees will have the chance to ask questions and gather valuable information at the townhall. The City of Killeen has partnered with Central Texas College and the Mayborn Science Theater/Planetarium for the 2024 Solar Eclipse and CTC will be participating in the Community Townhall. The Mayborn Science Theater is the only planetarium within a 70-mile radius and the school is hosting several activities during the 2024 Solar Eclipse weekend that can be viewed at www.KilleenTexas.gov/Eclipse.
The City hosted a joint press conference with CTC in November 2022 that can be viewed on the website. The City has also been working with the following organizations in preparation for the event: The Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce, National Mounted Warrior Museum, III Corps and Fort Hood, Texas A&M University-Central Texas, the Killeen Independent School District, Bell County Emergency Management and Bell County.
The City’s Emergency Management team and staff have been working on safety plans since Spring 2021, as safety is the City’s top priority.
Killeen has 23 parks and residents/businesses are welcome to get a permit to host safe and secure watch parties. More information will be released on the permit process at the townhall.
With the right preparation, the 2024 solar eclipse can bring a significant boost to the local economy.
For more information, visit the City of Killeen Solar Eclipse website at www.KilleenTexas.gov/Eclipse and/or the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Eclipse site at www.KilleenEclipse.us.