Austin: The Human Capital

Austin’s well-educated high-quality workforce, overall low business costs and available, affordable commercial space offer unparalleled opportunity for business growth. And the vibrant quality of life and wide range of housing choices make it easy to attract and keep the best talent.

But don’t take our word for it. Look at what companies are doing in Austin and elsewhere in the Central Texas region.

Merkatum chose Austin as the new location for its headquarters, relocating from Miami. This leading provider of biometric technology software and services was attracted to Austin’s “unique personality” and “strong entrepreneurial climate that offers a high quality of life at moderate costs.”

IndyMac Bancorp Inc., a Pasadena, Calif.-based mortgage company, announced plans to hire 300 people over the next two to three years for a new home loan servicing center in North Austin and may eventually create more than 600 jobs.

Borland Software Corp. (NASDAQ: BORL), the global leader in Open Application Lifecycle Management (ALM), announced that it will relocate its corporate headquarters from Cupertino, Calif. to Austin. The company plans to expand its existing Austin research and development. center with the relocation of the finance, human resources, facilities, IT and sales operations functions.

PayPal announced the official grand opening of its new technology center in Austin, PayPal Data Services, Inc. PayPal Data Services Inc. is a whollyowned subsidiary of PayPal, Inc. employing technology and engineering professionals who are helping to build PayPal's global payment platform. PayPal plans to hire hundreds of talented local professionals in the next three years.

Hewlett-Packard announced it would build two data centers totaling about 400,000-plus square feet including 50,000 square feet of raised floor space.

Opportunities abound for growing companies with long-term expansion plans.

Regional Economic Overview

Austin, the capital of Texas, is at the heart of a dynamic five-county region recognized for its talented workforce and superior business environment. Three of the region's five counties: Bastrop, Hays and Williamson are among the 100 fastest-growing in the nation.

Diversity defines the region, and Austin's economy thrives on a balance of technology industries, business services, education and government. Software development, electronics design and computer hardware manufacturing established Austin as a technology center, but the region's economy does not rely on these industries. Life sciences, film and music, business services and distribution firms are industries with strong presence in the Austin economy.

Austin's state-of-the-art international airport and location on I-35 make it a logical distribution point to the rest of North America and beyond.

Seven colleges and universities, with renowned academic programs and a combined enrollment of more than 116,000 students, are an immediate source of well-educated employees and continuing education for the existing labor force.

The region has much to offer for business development.