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SAVE THE DATE: The Austin-San Antonio Corridor Council’s General Membership Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 19 at the International Center located at 203 S. St. Mary’s St., Suite 313 in San Antonio. Mayor Will Wynn of Austin will be guest speaker. To RSVP contact council@thecorridor.org or call 512-558-7360 for more information.
The Corridor Council will be participating in an "Austin-San Antonio Growth Summit" with the Austin Business Journal in San Marcos, Friday, September 21, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at Texas State University. Discover the 'Hot Spots' between Austin and San Antonio. Business leaders and government officials will outline opportunities and obstacles of the identified areas. Luncheon featuring Joe Krier and Keynote Speaker Red McCombs. Info: 512.494.2548 or ceilers@bizjournals.com.
Infrastructure
Caldwell County officials have approved a timeline that would put a new jail annex on the path for a letting of construction bids in September. They'll be advertising in the next two weeks. Details here.
There's a new chapter in that supposed-conspiracy to link Mexico, the US, and Canada into a single country with the Trans-Texas Corridor as the connective tissue. This time, one of the "Swift-boat" authors who went after John Kerry last election cycle says there's even a planned currency unit, the "Amero." Hilarious. Details.
Following that awful bridge collapse in Minnesota there have been a lot of calls for an increase in the Federal gas tax for increased infrastructure funding. But the Wall Street Journal pointed out over the weekend that without structural reforms, such a tax would be distributed under the same methods (and legislators) that passed the $256 billion transportation bill diverting billions away from bridge repair and highways into parks, trails, etc. Worth thinking about. See it here.
TxDOT reports that - toll criticism notwithstanding - residents from Bastrop, Bell, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Gonzales, Hays, Lampasas, Llano, Milam, Travis and Williamson counties have all purchased TxTags with Travis and Williamson counties accounting for the highest number of residents holding tags. Among cities, Austin and Round Rock rank the highest.
New lanes for US 281 in San Antonio has cleared one hurdle, after the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) approved an environmental study for the project, six to eight toll lanes as replacement for the current highway. The Alamo Regional Mobility Authority has assumed responsibility for the project, with costs estimated at upwards of $600 million for the 7.5-mile stretch of highway.
Economic Development
More than 200 real estate agents and brokers were in New Braunfels last week for a three-day conference and networking event held at the Civic Center. The annual “Texoma Rally” takes place in a different area of Texas or Oklahoma each year, organizers said. In past years, the event has traveled to San Antonio, Dallas and Austin. This was their first trip to New Braunfels.
The cost of Austin-area homes has increased 5.6% in the last 12 months as prices on the national stage dropped 1.5%. The median price for a home in Austin-Round Rock market stood at $186,600 at the end of the 2nd quarter, up from $176,700 in the 2nd quarter of 2006.
Next month, the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) will take a team of researchers to Antarctica as part of a two-month expedition funded by the National Science Foundation. Five UTSA researchers will join a crew of 22 researchers from throughout the world in exploring Antarctica's Amundsen Sea. This will be the first time in more than 100 years that explorers ventured to this region of the world.
The San Antonio River Authority (SARA) Board of Directors have voted to approve Suzanne Scott, assistant general manager of the river authority, as the new general manager. Scott is replacing Greg Rothe, who announced in May that he will be retiring after 33 years in public service. The promotion becomes effective Sept. 1.
The City of Austin received $13.5 million in sales tax revenue allocations this month, up 20% compared with Aug. 2006, according to data from the state comptroller's office. So far this year, Austin's gotten $98.6 million from sales taxes, an 11% increase over the same period last year.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has awarded a $753,750 regional habitat conservation planning grant to Hays County. For a quick look at the project, sensitive wildlife in Hays County, and federal regulations regarding endangered species. Explore this website for more detailed information and project updates.
Effective Sept. 1, Scott Martinez will be the new Economic Development Director for the Hutto Economic Development Corporation.
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