Today I went to a luncheon where the Waco Chamber of Commerce www.GreaterWacoChamberofCommerce.com gave their quarterly report on the state of the Waco economy. The news was GREAT!
Unemployment rate: March 2008 March 2009
United States 5.2% 9.0%
Texas 4.3% 6.7%
Waco 4.1 % 6.0
Industry Job Growth, non agriculture:
2008 to 2009
Mining & Construction 5,900 -100
Manufacturing 14,800 -700
Trade, Transportation & Utilities 18,500 0
Information 1,600 -100
Financial Services 6,600 0
Professional & Business Services 8,400 -300
Education and Health Services 19,600 +600
Leisure & Hospitality 9,500 +100
Other Services 3,800 -100
Government 17,800 +500
Sales Growth ( local sales receipts in millions) 2007 $27.5, in 2008 $28.08, an all time record.
In the last couple of years the Chamber has really focused on revitalizing downtown and have had a quarter of a million put into new construction or remodeling, including condos, restuarants and business. These include Austin Avenue Flatts, The Olive Branch, Square Bar, Austins on the Avenue, a new building for the Department of Social Services, and an office building, The Livingston.
Coming in the next year or two are Heritage Quarters and the Hotel Indigo, which will be on the bank of the Brazos River. There are many other future projects which are too numerous to fit in this blog!
So if you or your company is looking for a family friendly, energetic , growing town Waco is the place!
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Ann, this really is good news. It's so exciting to see the positive changes and growth in Waco. I really love the lifestyle here.