The State of Texas is prepared to spend big money to lure social networking site Facebook to the Austin area. The $1.4 million incentive package is intended to make Austin even more attractive to Facebook, which has its main corporate headquarters in Palo Alto, California and has recently announced plans to open a national [...]
The State of Texas is prepared to spend big money to lure social networking site Facebook to the Austin area. The $1.4 million incentive package is intended to make Austin even more attractive to Facebook, which has its main corporate headquarters in Palo Alto, California and has recently announced plans to open a national office outside the California area. The new office is expected to provide around 200 well-paying jobs in the sales, customer service and risk management fields, making it a valuable asset for the city Facebook selects. The incentive package offered by Texas will be funded by the Texas Enterprise Fund and is dependent on the city of Austin agreeing to ante up approximately $200,000 worth of local incentives; the proposed incentive plan will go before a public hearing on March 11, 2010.
Austin has long been considered one of the high-tech centers in the region, and the addition of a national Facebook office would add to the city’s well-deserved reputation. Chief Operating Officer of Facebook Sheryl Sandberg indicated that Austin was under serious consideration as a potential site for the office, stating “Austin, with its deep talent pool, would allow us to hire the high-caliber employees we need to properly serve the people, advertisers and developers that rely on our service.” Facebook currently has over 400 million active users, so its presence in Austin would be a high-profile addition to the city’s already vibrant high-tech industry scene.
This is not the first time a major online company has chosen Austin as a site for expansion; Google opened an office in Austin in 2008, but closed it along with several other offices worldwide soon after due to financial cutbacks throughout the company. While only twenty jobs were lost due to the closing, the Austin community felt the blow to its reputation as a high-tech hub. If Austin is able to snag the Facebook office, the effects will be felt not only economically but also psychologically throughout the region.
Facebook’s interest in opening an Austin office follows on the heels of recent announcements by LegalZoom and Pioneer Surgical Technology to open offices in Austin; LegalZoom’s new expansion is expected to bring around 600 jobs to Austin in the next few years, while Pioneer Surgical’s new office will employ around 30 people when it opens in the second quarter of this year. These acquisitions are expected to boost the local economy still further in the latter part of 2010.
One of the great advantages of living in Texas is the outstanding quality of the chili produced here in the Lone Star State. While most historians believe chili con carne was first widely served in San Antonio starting in the 1860s, the exact origins of this uniquely Texan dish are unknown. Some theorists [...]
One of the great advantages of living in Texas is the outstanding quality of the chili produced here in the Lone Star State. While most historians believe chili con carne was first widely served in San Antonio starting in the 1860s, the exact origins of this uniquely Texan dish are unknown. Some theorists believe that the spices used in the first chili dishes were originally from the Canary Islands of Spain and brought over by immigrants to the San Antonio area; certainly cumin is one of the favored spices in Morocco and the Canary Island area. Chili powder was not invented until the 1900s, and revolutionized the art of chili making by providing an easy way to measure the amount of fiery spice and allowing cooks to standardize their chili recipes.
You've not had chili until you've had it Texas style!
Most Austin chili purists insist that true Texas-style chili con carne should contain no beans. This also makes it much more versatile as a side dish or accompaniment to tamales, nachos, hot dogs, and hamburgers. At a minimum, most chili recipes include chili peppers, garlic, onions, and cumin; most contain chicken, venison, pork or beef. Some chili recipes include tomatoes, but historically they have no place in a classic Texas chili pot. While some vegetarian chili recipes exist and may be quite popular, most chili experts do not class them as true Texas chili. Meat is the main ingredient in Texas chili, and the second most prominent ingredient is the chili peppers themselves, making this a spicy warm-up on cold winter evenings.
Austin boasts some outstanding chili restaurants, from the ubiquitous Chuy’s to the Saturday night Firehouse Chili special at Houston’s. Many Austin residents swear by the chili served at the Waterloo Ice House locations; what it lacks in spice, it makes up for in outstanding ingredients and a first-rate recipe. The Alamo Draft House offers a unique movie-going experience along with a sirloin-based cup of moderately spicy chili to keep you warm while you watch. Perhaps the most famous chili parlor in all of Austin, however, is the Texas Chili Parlor; a favorite among locals, the restaurant itself is something of a dive, but is so well known it was used as a setting by Quentin Tarantino in the movie “Death Proof,” which starred Kurt Russell. A down-home beer joint, the Texas Chili Parlor serves up bowls of chili ranging from the single X mild to the famed XXX, which is rumored to require a release form before it can be served to customers. Vegetarian and black bean chili dishes are also on the menu at this Austin landmark. Whichever establishment you prefer, Austin has something to please the palate of even the most particular chili lover.
Austin is slated to receive $4.8 million in funding for job education and training in the high-demand field of solar technology through the U.S. Department of Labor. The program, administered by the Electrical Joint Apprenticeship Training Program, is expected to provide training for approximately 1,000 workers in the Austin area, preparing them for [...]
Austin's drawing new solar technolgy jobs and expertise to the area.
Austin is slated to receive $4.8 million in funding for job education and training in the high-demand field of solar technology through the U.S. Department of Labor. The program, administered by the Electrical Joint Apprenticeship Training Program, is expected to provide training for approximately 1,000 workers in the Austin area, preparing them for crucial positions in solar power plants throughout the region and as far afield as Kansas, New Mexico and Arizona. The Electrical Joint Apprenticeship Training Program is sponsored by a number of national and Austin-based groups, including the Austin Workforce Investment Board, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the National Electrical Contractors Association, and ImagineSolar.
Part of the economic stimulus package passed by Congress, the initiative is one aspect of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. It is intended to provide employment opportunities for veterans, women, and minorities as well as offering unemployed individuals the chance to learn a new set of job skills. Austin’s highly-trained workforce and commitment to green technology played a significant part in its selection; it is one of only 25 sites to receive similar funding. The initiative is slated to distribute $100 million in funds over the next year; grants available through the stimulus program range between $1.4 million and $5 million, making the Austin grant one of the largest distributed to local programs.
This news comes on the heels of an initial report by the Cleantech Group and Deloitte showing a 33% decline in venture capital investment in the green technology sector in 2009. While at first glance these figures seem to spell bad news for the overall clean and green technology industries, the overall picture for venture capital investment was far worse. In relative terms, green technologies still attract investors and funds at a higher rate than most other sectors of the investment economy. Solar technology still leads the pack, with about 21% of all green technology investment in this area.
Texas ranks third in green technology investment in the nation, with only California and Massachusetts investing more in this area. Austin is especially proactive in the area of green technology, with many homes and businesses incorporating solar collection and energy efficient design in their initial construction. The additional funding provided through the Electrical Joint Apprenticeship Training Program will help Austin remain on the cutting edge of clean, green energy sources and ensure a brighter economic outlook for the entire area.
If you are selling your home you have no doubt heard the term ‘curb appeal’; your landscaping is the cornerstone of that curb appeal. With the right look your home can be both appealing and cost effective. Although you have several options for your landscaping, the best choices come from home. Texas is full [...]
If you are selling your home you have no doubt heard the term ‘curb appeal’; your landscaping is the cornerstone of that curb appeal. With the right look your home can be both appealing and cost effective. Although you have several options for your landscaping, the best choices come from home. Texas is full of beautiful options that will enthrall your mind and delight your budget. Some of the options available are considered to be succulent. This becomes advantageous for drought and budget.
Lantana is a wonderful trailing flowering plant for central Texas.
Texas has endured both a drought and flood, so the right planets can make a big difference. The succulence that most people think about are cactus, however they are not the only plants that require less water. There are some beautiful flowering options that will thrive in your Austin, Texas landscape.
One good flowering option is the Snap Dragon, a simply beautiful cluster of color and life for any Texas home. The Snap Dragon does not require excessive amounts of water and it survives in both heat and cold well. Agave plant is another nice, decorative plant that fairs well in drought and can add beauty to your home. Placed well, the Agave can complement the entire property. There is also the common Cactus plants that grow throughout the western part of the United States, Texas included.
The National Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set requirements and standards that all states are legally bound to adhere to, in the Clean Air Act. These are designed to reduce green house emissions from cars, and other modes of transportation. Texas, like every other state, is permitted to set up their own method of [...]
The National Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set requirements and standards that all states are legally bound to adhere to, in the Clean Air Act. These are designed to reduce green house emissions from cars, and other modes of transportation. Texas, like every other state, is permitted to set up their own method of enforcement and focal areas. Annually the EPA will take time to evaluate a state and their policies to make sure they are in line with the anticipated task.
After review this year, the EPA has determined that Texas does not reach the predetermined goals, making numerous violations. The worst offenders are Dallas and Houston which have never fallen within clean air standards. Currently Austin metro area is teetering on the edge of those standards. By regulating vehicle emissions in Travis and Williamson counties, Austin was able to avoid federal clean air management. This year it does not look good, as the requirements have become more stringent. This just means that Texas needs to clear the air on what can and can’t be done to keep it clean.
Currently as a result of this year’s evaluations, Texas officials are working with the EPA to ascertain how to approach this situation and how to maximize efforts to minimize noxious gases in the air. In this effort more than 30 new proposals have been made for the management of emissions from cars and vehicles to businesses and energy factories.
Austin tops the lists again!
Brookings Institute in Washington, DC conducts their ‘MetroMonitor’ survey every quarter. They released their comparison research for the last quarter of 2008 to the first quarter of 2009. The top 5 cities are all in the South West Region. Naturally, Austin has ranked among the top 5, which also include San [...]
Austin tops the lists again!
Brookings Institute in Washington, DC conducts their ‘MetroMonitor’ survey every quarter. They released their comparison research for the last quarter of 2008 to the first quarter of 2009. The top 5 cities are all in the South West Region. Naturally, Austin has ranked among the top 5, which also include San Antonio, Houston, and Dallas in Texas and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
The Metro Monitor survey reviews several aspects of a city to narrow the field. They choices include unemployment vs employment opportunities, average wages in the metropolitan area, and housing costs. After receiving Forbes recognition it was obvious that Austin would rank high on all of those criteria.
Austin’s results on the Brookings MetroMonitor were as follows:
Unemployment: remained steady
Job Opportunities: down .05%
Average Wages: Up 1.4%
Housing Costs: Increased 2.4 %
The state of Texas has many cities with positive opportunities, but Austin ranks at the top. Once again, it is obvious to see why Austin is doing so well while so many others are not. This is the place to raise a family, own a busienss, and develop your real estate investment network.
Forbes once again has to recognize the brilliance that is Austin, Texas. After performing a survey of the most affordable place to live, and the most pleasant on your wallet, Austin took first place. This survey evaluated 4 questions across 50 major metropolitan cities and local vicinities. This makes official what Austenites already knew, you [...]
Forbes once again has to recognize the brilliance that is Austin, Texas. After performing a survey of the most affordable place to live, and the most pleasant on your wallet, Austin took first place. This survey evaluated 4 questions across 50 major metropolitan cities and local vicinities. This makes official what Austenites already knew, you get more value for your dollar in Texas than any other part of the country.
According to Forbes the top 4 criteria include: housing opportunities (homes available for rent or sale), unemployment, average salary, cost of living. Of all of them, Austin rated in the top 25. In the area of unemployment Austin came in as number 1. For housing opportunities they rated as 24, the lowest of the 4 options for Austin. Regarding cost of living, of the 50 cities reviewed, Austin landed at 3 with average salary coming in at 20. This creates a wonderful picture of the grandeur of ‘the weird city’ of Austin, Texas.
As often as Forbes does their surveys, Austin continues to surprise them by topping the lists. From green recognition to best bang for your buck, this is the place to live. Moving to Austin is easier than ever, with the right Realtor. When are ready to move, contact the team here to find your place to live in this wonderful city we call Austin.
Of the major metropolitan areas across the United States of America with a potential labor force above 750 thousand, only 1 has gained jobs since 2008. That incredible achievement was reached in Austin, Texas. The National Bureau of Labor released the results comparing Apr. 2008 and Apr. 2009, and for the 3rd month in a [...]
Of the major metropolitan areas across the United States of America with a potential labor force above 750 thousand, only 1 has gained jobs since 2008. That incredible achievement was reached in Austin, Texas. The National Bureau of Labor released the results comparing Apr. 2008 and Apr. 2009, and for the 3rd month in a row, Austin bested all others in job gains. The current unemployment rate for Austin, Texas is 5.8 percent down 3.6% from the national average of 9.4 percent. Only the 38 top metropolitan labor force cities were involved in this survey.
The significant job increases for 2009 have been in the industries related to Restaurants, Retail, and Hospitality. These services are provided direct to the public and even through a recession they are seeing modest growth opportunities. Direct impact on Austin’s job market, goods producing industries and technology based industries are down across the region. The jobs in the direct to consumer industries mentioned above, compensate significantly for those jobs lost.
The lowest unemployment rates in Texas are Austin with 5.8 percent and San Antonio with 5.4 percent. After that the next closest job healthy cities are Huston at 6.3 percent and Dallas-Fort Worth with 6.6 percent. Both are still below the national average, as are many smaller metro area’s who are reported at 8 percent and above unemployment. This proves the value that the Austin Metropolitan area offers to their residents and new home owners.
The city of Austin has been a true diamond in the rough throughout this recession. While many comparable cities have struggled with enormous foreclosure and unemployment rates, Austin has steadily maintained home values and prices. The city actually managed to create jobs while nationwide hundreds of thousands of employees were being laid off. Recently, NewGeography.com [...]
The city of Austin has been a true diamond in the rough throughout this recession. While many comparable cities have struggled with enormous foreclosure and unemployment rates, Austin has steadily maintained home values and prices. The city actually managed to create jobs while nationwide hundreds of thousands of employees were being laid off. Recently, NewGeography.com placed Austin at #1 on its list of big cities with the best employment potential. In 2008, there was a job growth in Austin of 1%, which may not seem like very much, but was much higher than many large cities in the nation.
The job market will directly affect the real estate market. While Austin has not seen the type of bubble burst that other cities have, there has been a significant slowdown over the past several years. Since Texas as a whole did not fully fall in to the no money down, less than perfect credit lending practices that so many states did, there are far fewer homes here in foreclosure. Homes have sat longer on the market, but average home prices have remained fairly stable throughout the market decline. Add to that, downtown Austin is in high demand and the city is doing its best to provide easy access. Mixed use properties and transportation are high on the list of improvements the city intends to make. Businesses are still moving to Austin, and employment will remain high in the area.
Austin is expected to come out on top at the end of this recession. Everything points to a great recovery for the area. More people are moving to Austin to take advantage of the great economy and growth is expected to continue. Austin is not just pretty views; it’s a place where you can find a job and a home.
With an economy that is still creating jobs, it is no wonder why Austin has been doing so well throughout this recession. The city has had tremendous focus on business friendly developments over the last several years. Home prices continue to be reasonable, and the natural beauty only enhances the pull of the area. Austin [...]
With an economy that is still creating jobs, it is no wonder why Austin has been doing so well throughout this recession. The city has had tremendous focus on business friendly developments over the last several years. Home prices continue to be reasonable, and the natural beauty only enhances the pull of the area. Austin has maintained a fairly stable economy and an almost nonexistent unemployment rate despite the national declines of late. A recent online consumer resource group report shows that more people are moving to Austin than leaving.
Relocation.com analyzed the migration into and out of Austin during the time from 2007 to 2009 and has reported that interstate moves to Austin were at 62%, while moves away were less than 40%. This influx is due to the job market and more stable real estate market of Austin and the surrounding areas. There has been astonishing job loss statistics since January, and many people have learned to find a job, it may be necessary to relocate. Austin offers everything that not only employees, but employers need as well. The population is expected to continue its growth. As more educated workers move into the area, more businesses will be inclined to move here as well.
Austin offers a little of everything for everyone. Many cities are being affected so strongly by the recession that it may take years for them to recover. While Austin is not going to be completely unscathed during these trying times, the city is certainly doing much better than others of comparable size.
