Trust me... You will WANT TO LIVE HERE!

(Excerpted from a recent memo about Economic Development from Mel Pendland, Georgetown Chamber of Commerce President)

1. Georgetown has grown by more than 60% since the 2000 Census.

2. As of 2006, Georgetown was the 55th fastest growing community over 10,000 in population in the nation. (Forbes)

3. Georgetown has added more than 3 million square feet of retail, commercial, industrial, and office space in Georgetown since 2002.

4. We added 5,279 new jobs in Georgetown between 2002 and 2007, with an average hourly wage of $17.25.

5. Our primary Zip Code, 78628 has an average household income of $100,000.

6. Williamson County Schools are ranked 9th in the entire nation in quality of education per dollar of spending per student (Forbes).

7. We have added more miles of new roads (and invested more in their construction) in Williamson County since 2000 than any other county in the United States.

8. The growth in our Healthcare Sector in Williamson County leads the nation. (Five new or expanded hospitals).

9. We are on the verge of building a new medical school that will generate 50,000 new jobs in our economy.

10. We recruited the first Tier II Toyota supplier to locate in Georgetown. (Tasa Corporation)

11. We landed the national data center for the number one company on the Fortune 100.

12. We were successful in retaining Airborn, Inc., and that will result not only in saving 350 jobs, but creating 500 new jobs over three years.

13. We have continued to see very strong growth in the residential building sector, with almost 1,100 new homes in 2006, and many more this year and planned for the future.

14. We are currently working on 17 site selection opportunities that all have the potential to close within 12 months.

15. We are about to open the Texas Life Sciences Commercialization Center (with more than $250,000 being committed by the city).

16. Southwestern University is ranked near the top of every Liberal Arts listing, including the Princeton Review, and is contemplating building a new conference center and hotel.

17. Three major projects are moving forward in our Downtown Overlay District.

18. The Chamber will soon have 1,100 members, and with the approval of our requested lease extension, will be able to expand our facilities and be guaranteed sustainability for the next 38 years.

19. We have the finest movie theater and will soon have the finest bowling center in Central Texas. There are actually things for young people and families to do in Georgetown.

20. We have grown the citys tax base to more than $3.5 billion and have been able to achieve the highest possible bond rating for cities of less than 300,000 in population.

21. We continue to have one of the lowest crime rates in the nation.

22. We now have a majority on our City Council that supports economic development and understands the importance of a strong business community.

23. We are blessed with good and caring leaders who are committed to caring for those less fortunate, and are doing so more effectively than in any community of which I am aware.

24. Our community of faith continues to grow, with new or expanded houses of worship everywhere you look.

25. We have great people like you who will never be satisfied until we truly become a community of excellence.

All the best,
Mel

It takes only one hike up Austin's popular Mt. Bonnell to see just about everything that makes this area so unique. From its 1000 foot peak in the center of Austin, you can gaze out on a stunning variety of sights. To the south, the Colorado River cuts a blue-green swath through the heart of downtown. The bold granite Capitol complex can be seen surrounded by towering office buildings and lively streets bordered on either side with eclectic shops, restaurants, and live music venues. To the west, you see the dramatic Hill Country, with homes hugging the rises; their decks looking out over breathtaking sunsets. In the far distance, you catch a hint of deep blue where a string of lakes offers elegant living and nonstop water play.

From family life to singles life to century-old neighborhoods and modern international businesses to internationally renown cuts of barbecue, Central Texas has it all.

At A Glance
Waterloo, River City, Live Music Capital of the World…Central Texas is known by many names. From its humble start at a bend in the Colorado River, it has grown into the 23rd largest city in the country with a rainbow of cultures from every corner of the globe.

Median age: 31.8

Average days of sunshine per year: 300

Metro area: 2,705 square miles

Highest bookstore sales in the U.S. ($195 per household)

Most computer literate city in America, with more than 69% of the populace using computers

Most highly educated workforce in the country - 64% of adults have completed one or more years of college

Outdoors
With natural surroundings that match its eclectic personality, the city offers everything you need to enjoy the great outdoors, with plenty of opportunities to hike, bike, golf, canoe, swim, rock climb, garden, water ski and practically anything else you can think of to do outside.

Area Lakes: The chain of six Highland Lakes stretches 150 miles. Enjoy your favorite watersports on Lake Georgetown, Lake Austin, Town Lake, and Lake Travis. Or drive a little deeper in the Hill Country to Lake Marble Falls or Lake LBJ.

Hike-and-Bike Trails: A six mile continuous loop around Town Lake in the heart of downtown. Georgetown has just procured a Federal Grant of $1.1 million for another Hike-and-Bike Trail around Lake Georgetown.

Bat Watching: The largest urban colony of Mexican free-tailed bats in North America make its home beneath the Congress Avenue Bridge mid-March to early November.

Lady Bird Johnson National Wildflower Center: The dream child of former First Lady Lady Bird Johnson. A stunning explosion of nature's beauty, it reflects the beauty of this area.

Wild Basin Preserve: In the hills of west Austin, this valley has been set aside to preserve the natural habitats of many native animals and birds. A great place for nature lovers to catch sight of Texas' endangered Golden Cheeked Warbler.

Sports & Activities
It's an understatement to say Austinites are physically active. Every day, tens of thousands of adults, teens, and kids flock to the city's many jogging trails, parks, playing fields, sports complexes, golf courses, swimming spots, and hike-and-bike trails.

Golf Courses: Crenshaw, Kite, Fazio. Not only have these greats played Austin's courses, they left their mark by creating seven private clubs to complement the city's 13 golfing venues.

Marathons and Bike Races: A runner's and biker's paradise, Austin hosts several nationally and internationally recognized marathons and races.

City Leagues: Soccer, softball, volleyball, and football fields are filled every weekend with city league activities.

Professional Sports: If a hot dog in the stands is more to your liking, Austin is host to a professional hockey and semi-pro soccer team. The Round Rock Express AA Minor League baseball team, owned by Nolan Ryan and his son Reid, opened their first season in the spring of 2000.

Olympia ydefense National Collegiate Sports: It's hard not to notice Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on the University of Texas campus, home of the Texas Longhorn football team. In addition, UT has some of the best collegiate baseball, basketball, tennis, volleyball, and swimming teams in the nation. With six other colleges and universities holding their fair share of athletic titles, there's plenty to keep the armchair athlete occupied.

Family Fun

Young at heart and replete with many young families, Austin offers plenty to do with the kids. From more than 200 parks, preserves and playgrounds covering over 22,000 acres of greenspace to 47 city swimming pools, there's something for the kid in all of us to enjoy.

Austin Children's Museum: Hands-on learning fun for kids of all ages.

Austin Nature and Science Center: Educational indoor/outdoor exhibits and activities about native plants and animals.

Blue Hole Swim Area:

Georgetown’s Historic Palace Theatre:

Zilker Park: Home to Barton Springs pool, a beautiful natural swimming hole, and the Zilker Park train. Over 350 acres to enjoy and explore.

The Business Climate
With articles in practically every national publication, Austin's businesses are booming. Nicknamed "Silicon Hills," Austin is home to some of the most innovative and successful electronics and high-tech companies in the world- Dell, Motorola, Advanced Micro Devices, Samsung, TI, 3M, IBM, Tivoli, to name a few. The city also boasts its share of cutting-edge start-ups. In fact, Fortune magazine recently ranked Austin "The Best City for Business in North America."

The University of Texas Higher Education

University of Texas: With a pool of one of the most educated and best read populations in the country to hire from, it's no wonder so many innovative businesses operate here. The highly lauded University of Texas sprawls to the north of downtown. The third largest state university in the country, UT has 48,000 students who are guided by leaders in research and education.

Southwestern University:

Georgetown:

"Far enough away to be a part of historic, rural Texas. Close enough to be a part of vibrant, modern Austin."

Amid the stretches of green farm and ranch lands to the north of Austin lies the picturesque and historic community of Georgetown. The small town atmosphere, combined with an excellent school district and modern conveniences, have made this community a popular address. An easy 25 mile drive up the interstate from Austin, 150 year old Georgetown offers an inviting mix of historic Victorian mansions and modern, well thought out housing communities. Some of these include the much-praised neo-traditional neighborhood development of Georgetown Village and the estate homes in Fountainwood, Westlake of the Woods, the Estates of Westlake, and Woodland Park. For the ultimate in privacy and Jack Nicklaus golf, have a look at Cimarron Hills, Georgetowns most exclusive community!

Georgetown Convention & Visitors Bureau

Downtown Georgetown Association

Southwestern University

Georgetown Independent School District

Some local Georgetown History

An example of how the Arts are alive and well in Georgetown Texas.

Round Rock:

Affordable Living with easy access to all that the area has to offer.

South of Georgetown and only 15 miles from Austin's central business district is Round Rock. This community shares the same proud rural heritage as its neighbor to the north, and has a number of premier housing developments offering a pleasant small town personality while embracing modern, high-tech living. Enjoy Major League Baseball just down Highway 79 at the Dell Diamond, home to the Astros farm club, the Round Rock Express.

North And Northwest Austin:

"Residents of North and Northwest Austin mix high-technology with sophisticated living."

CEOs and new-hires alike are attracted to the neighborhoods of these areas not only because of their natural beauty, but their easy access to Austin's high-tech corridor, downtown and UT, along with a growing list of nearby first class amenities like the Arboretum shopping center. For many years, a Cat Mountain address not only awarded impressive views, but unmatched prestige. And like this jewel of Northwest Austin, the newer communities to the north and west continue to offer a tremendous range of homestyles for a wide range of lifestyles. Singles, young families, and professionals are flocking to these rapidly growing areas, attracted by established schools and contemporary/upscale living.

Westlake:

"Limestone cliffs, lakefront vistas, rugged hills. Just on the south side of the river."

Cross over to the southwest side of the Colorado River and discover neighborhoods with winding streets that lead to inviting hollows and homes designed to capture the rustic tranquility of the nature surrounding them. Houses with unmatched views and privacy dot the escarpments along Lake Austin. The Westlake area encompasses several well established communities, each with its own distinct and extraordinary personality. Some of the city's most fashionable and prestigious hillside and lakefront residences lie 10 minutes from downtown in the incorporated communities of West Lake Hills and Rollingwood. A few miles further along the "Peninsula" of Lake Austin's west bank are the easily accessible subdivisions of Davenport Ranch, Westview, and Green Park that have been nestled among the cedar groves and limestone rises within the past 15 years. New development is still brisk in the luxurious neighborhoods of Rob Roy and Hunterwood. The communities of Lost Creek, Bee Cave Woods, Treemont, and Barton Creek West are popular among newcomers seeking the peace and quiet of a rural setting, with all the conveniences of city living only a hill and a valley away .

Barton Creek:

"Residents of North and Northwest Austin mix high-technology with sophisticated living."

The highly acclaimed resort, country club and conference center of Barton Creek is located just west of its namesake, picturesque Barton Creek, and is the focal point of surrounding development. Hallmarked for their privacy and easy accessibility to all the amenities of Barton Creek Country Club, the condominium/townhome developments of The Ridge and The Fairways express the resort lifestyle at its finest with "modest to mansion" cost. The custom homes and homesites available in the wooded enclaves of The Estates of Barton Creek offer their own sanctuary of quiet living less than nine miles from the hustle and bustle of commercial enterprise.

Central Austin:

"From the rustic to the refined. Homes along these streets return their residents to the Austin of old."

The historic and more traditional neighborhoods of Old Enfield, Hyde Park and Pemberton Heights are like enclaves of an earlier Austin. Homes in these communities are some of the most sought after in the city. An eclectic mixture of styles-quaint bungalows to elegant mansions-share the same oak and elm lined streets. A very short distance to the west of these neighborhoods is the post WWII community of Tarrytown. Its most splendid residences line the water's edge along Lake Austin. A refreshing sprinkling of "old" and "new" residents live in the neighborhoods of Brykerwoods and Allandale. Vintage construction is not all that attracts individuals to these neighborhoods. The central location puts them only a stone's throw away from downtown, the Capitol complex and the University of Texas. The area is brimming with unique shops, inviting parks, public and private schools, churches, and specialty groceries. All these amenities combined with their historical backdrop allow Central Austin residents to be rewarded daily with the satisfaction of living in a neighborhood overflowing with multi-generational charm and small town atmosphere.

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Trust me... You will WANT TO LIVE HERE!

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