New partnership aims to strengthen links in trade, innovation, culture and music between the two fast-growing cities...
Greater Manchester has formally strengthened its relationship with Austin, Texas, after signing a new Sister City Agreement designed to encourage closer collaboration between the two cities.
The agreement was signed by Greater Manchester Deputy Mayor Kate Green and Kirk Watson, Mayor of the Texan hipster capital – known for its unofficial mantra ‘Keep Austin Weird’ – during a visit by a delegation of business, civic and cultural leaders from the US city.
The partnership will focus on areas including innovation, education, tourism, culture, music, trade and investment.
The signing marks the latest milestone in a relationship that has developed over several years, following Greater Manchester trade missions to Texas in 2023 and 2025. As part of that work, 16 businesses from Greater Manchester’s creative industries have visited the US through the GM Business Growth Hub’s Create Growth programme.
Austin, the capital of Texas, is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States and is known for its strengths in digital technology, life sciences, engineering and manufacturing. The city is also internationally recognised for its music scene, hosting major events including SXSW and Austin City Limits.
During the visit, the Austin delegation attended a business reception at Manchester’s innovation district, SISTER, toured the University of Manchester’s Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre, and visited businesses with operations in both cities, including Cloud Imperium Games and AECOM.
The signing ceremony was followed by a celebration event at MediaCity featuring performances from artists from both Greater Manchester and Austin.
Kate Green said: “Our Sister City Agreement is the culmination of working with our friends in Austin over many years, but it is also the start of an exciting new chapter. There are real opportunities for us to work more closely together on trade and investment, research and innovation, education, and the culture and music that both our places are known for, all underpinned by the shared values and civic spirit that connect us.
“We thank Mayor Watson and the Austin delegation for joining us in Greater Manchester, and we look forward to turning this agreement into meaningful collaboration and shared success.”
Kirk Watson said: “Today’s signing unlocks opportunities for Austin and Greater Manchester in economic development, innovation, science and technology, education, tourism, arts and music, and urban development.
“Connecting with international partners brings massive wins straight back home to Austinites. The high-wage jobs we’re creating don’t just boost our quality of life – they attract funding for medical breakthroughs and green tech, bring microchip manufacturing back to the US, and pay for the parks, roads, and city services we use every day.
“Plus, this global attention keeps our iconic live music and arts culture thriving. As we mature into our role on the world stage, we’re focused on growing these benefits for our entire community.”
Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council and Greater Manchester Deputy Mayor for Economy, Business and Inclusive Growth, said: “We have a strong and growing partnership with Austin, progressive cities built on our shared values, two of the fastest growing city economies in our respective countries, industrial strengths and vibrant cultural and music scenes.
“Greater Manchester cultivates long term partnerships that bring benefits, jobs and opportunities to our residents. This agreement marks an important milestone and reflects the confidence both places have in what we can achieve together.”
The agreement is the first partnership between a UK city region and Texas since the UK Government and the State of Texas signed a Statement of Mutual Cooperation on economic development and trade in 2024.
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