Community Almanac

Despite the slow economic growth currently, Central Texas is still the place to be. The Real Estate Center Online News summarized an Austin American Statesman story on June 5th with the following: ...

Despite the slow economic growth currently, Central Texas is still the place to be. The Real Estate Center Online News summarized an Austin American Statesman story on June 5th with the following:  

"The Austin area stood out for the third month in a row as the nation's strongest job market among big cities, according to data released Wednesday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Among the 38 metro areas with a workforce of at least 750,000, only Austin gained jobs from April 2008 to April 2009.

The area posted a 0.4 percent gain, adding a total of 3,400 jobs and bringing the regional job count to 781,400."

 

As we consider Pflugerville in 2030, I challenge everyone to evaluate role of our community in the prosperity of our region and ultimately how that reflects, positively or negatively, upon the City, including its image, its schools, its economic base and ultimately, its quality of life. People - households and employers, will base future decisions about living in and/or investing in Pflugerville based on these and a myriad of other factors.

With our geographic situation proximate to Austin and northern suburbs, Pflugerville is the path of growth. The challenge to our City will be how prepared and effectively we handle it. The Pflugerville 2030 plan, will be based on the input received through our meetings this summer, surveys and other forums, such as this blog. 

The challenge has been issued, and it impacts policies regarding land use, transportation/mobility, housing, the environment, the economy (local/regional), parks and recreation, water and utilities and so on.

Consider this story from the Austin Business Journal summarized again by the Real Estate Center Online News on June 5th, "The population of the Austin metro area is projected to grow to more than 2.7 million by 2025, according to an analysis by bizjournals.

 

Austin's projected growth rate ranks fifth among 250 U.S. metros studied.

Bizjournals forecasts an 87 percent growth rate from the area's 2005 estimated population of 1.5 million to a 2025 projected population of 2.7 million, giving it the highest growth rate of any Texas city.

The McAllen-Edinburg area is projected to be the second-fastest growing area in Texas with an estimated 56 percent growth in population.

Among other Texas cities:

• Dallas–Fort Worth — 50 percent increase to 8.8 million
• Houston — 48 percent increase to 7.9 million
• San Antonio — 41 percent increase to 2.7 million"

 

I encourage anyone with a stake in Pflugerville to answer the call to participate in the development of the Pflugerville 2030 Comprehensive Plan. How we address the challenge must be of a collaborative effort - your voice, your choice - hope to see you there!