The Austin-Round Rock area gained 1,500 jobs in May, keeping the local unemployment rate in check at 3.2 percent, according to the latest labor figures from the state.

Also according to one of Austin's Economic Development Groups, Opportunity Austin, in its first three years, Opportunity Austin surpassed its five-year job creation goals, reporting 80,900 new jobs in the metropolitan area as of year-end 2006, well ahead of the 72,000 it had hoped to generate by the end of 2008.

It has been noted that for Austin to KEEP these jobs and CONTINUE job growth some economic factors will have to be adjusted. The recent announcement by Dell to layoff thousands is one of the indicators that they are correct.

However, with unemployment at a historic low and with Austin Real Estate still relatively affordable, especially along the outskirts of town, Austin's economy should still flourish through the rest of this year for sure.