| City Tapped as Top Center For Growth | | Print | |
| Wednesday, 27 January 2010 04:49 |
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Four out of the nine top cities are in Texas. The complete "Gadberry Group's 9 from 2009" list is, in order, Braselton, Ga., Atascocita (Houston suburb), Spring Hill, Tenn., Lincoln, Calif., Katy (Houston suburb), Wake Forest, N.C., Mansfield (Dallas suburb), Wylie, and Buckeye, Ariz. "Compiling the 2009 list was especially interesting as we anticipated the impact of current economic conditions," said Larry Martin, Gadberry Group principal. Martin also said that, in light of current economic challenges, the 2009 list might well include the "most resilient areas featured yet." This year's list averaged household growth of 170 percent from 2000 to 2009, compared to the 2009 list's average of 267 percent for the same period. Martin noted that Texas appears to be "bucking national economic trends," capturing four of this year's nine slots. "Industry research indicates that a comparatively stable housing market is likely a contributing factor," he said. Information from Gadberry Group said that traditionally, the U.S. Census data has been the standard for understanding the distribution and demographic makeup of the nations' population, but the group supplements census information with other data. This is due to the fact that "Census data is more than 9 years old, so changes in demographic characteristics can't be identified or measured accurately using only census-based estimates," Martin said. Gadberry Group's study includes data regarding percent change, absolute change, and emerging census blocks (those growing from less than 10 households in census 2000 to over 100 in 2009) to identify these areas of the country. "The analysis uses key demographic variables such as ethnicity, household income, net worth, economic stability, length of residence and age," the summary said. Sam Satterwhite, executive director of Wylie Economic Development Corporation, said this type of rating will be a valuable marketing tool for the city. "The WEDC will utilize this information as part of our promotional materials to those companies considering locating to the area," he said. "In such a competitive environment for new retail and commercial development, this type of data can only assist us in our efforts to attract new jobs and increased investment to the Wylie community." Wylie Mayor Eric Hogue said he is pleased with this nod, but not surprised. "The Gadberry report confirms what we have seen over the last year in Wylie. In 2009, one out of every two homes built in this region was built in Wylie, Texas. While the 250 homes built this past year pales compared to the 1,000-plus years, we are proud of this level of growth in a year in which the national economic condition has so significantly impacted all areas of development. "As a result of this residential activity, Wylie is beginning to experience retail and commercial growth opportunities. The community has already benefited greatly from a public private partnership between the City of Wylie and Direct Development, which is currently building the second phase of the Woodbridge Shopping Center. In 2009, we saw the opening of the SuperTarget and ViewPoint Bank at this shopping center and a number of other smaller businesses and restaurants are slated to open in the coming weeks." He also said infrastructure improvements are adding to the desirability of the area. "Also key to Wylie's future are the 21 miles of roadway projects that are currently at some stage of planning, design or construction. With over $84 million dollars of federal, state, county and local funding approved and allocated for these roads, the brief inconvenience caused by construction will be followed with much-needed and improved access to our homes, our schools, and our commercial centers. We believe this will also enhance the future of our economic development oportunities and overall quality of life in Wylie." Satterwhite echoed the mayor's comments. "I believe the Gadberry rating is a good reminder for us as to why our roads are under construction and our schools continue to manage the growth," he said. Hogue said, however, that this is not the time for the city to rest on its laurels. "If we focus on just one of these past accomplishments and successes, then we are not preparing our community for the future," he said. "Weak retail sales not only impact Wall Street, but also Ballard Street. Prolonged unemployment of friends, family and neighbors has had an impact on all of us. Uneasiness continues for many North Texas cities with falling property values and their impact on local budgets. Wylie has been impacted as well, but our city staff and the city council have taken proactive steps to deliver an annual budget for this year that did not raise taxes in our community and did not affect the services we are able to provide to our citizens. Our actions during these difficult times will be what defines us as we move forward." "The city has felt, and will continue to feel, the pressure of the ecnomic downturn; but Wylie's long-term planning, conservative budgeting, fiscal restraint and aggressive economic development plan has left us better positioned than many cities throughout the country," said City Manager Mindy Manson. "The Gadberry report is a reflection of our quality, affordable housing, convenient location, great parks and developing infrastructure. Wylie contines to be attractive to new businesses and families looking for a place to call home."
For more information, please visit http://gadberry.net/ By Judy Truesdell |