Economic Development in the 21st Century
In this unit, you have looked at efforts in the late 1800’s to try to ensure growth for Austin and prosperity for future
generations of its citizens. This remains a relevant issue today, although the goal of building a solid economic
future for Austin and surrounding communities now exists alongside heightened concern that unplanned growth
may degrade rather than enhance quality of life. As you look at these materials, notice the degree to which plans
for growth center on preserving central Texas’s key attractions for businesses and residents—the area’s natural
beauty, distinctive character, and comfortable lifestyle.
In this activity, you will take a quick glimpse at modern economic development efforts for central Texas, reflect on
some of the ways they are different from economic development in the 1880’s, and discuss with your classmates
what you want Austin to look like when your children are in high school.
A. Profile of Austin: Examine the Austin Chamber of Commerce’s profile of Austin at
http://www.austin-chamber.org/DoBusiness/GreaterAustinProfile/index.html, and use it to answer
the following questions:
(1) In promoting the city to businesses looking for a location, the Chamber highlights nine
aspects of life in Austin. Identify them below, and for each briefly indicate what makes it
an appealing attribute of Austin.
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(2) Which items on your list above are similar to considerations that were important to
Austin’s leaders in the 1871-1892 time tour? Explain.
(3) Which items on the list above are thoroughly modern considerations, with no parallel from
the Gilded Age? Explain what has changed that increased the importance of these factors.
(4) In the next twenty to thirty years, the five-county region that includes Austin is projected
to grow from 1.4 million to 2.5 million residents. Which items on the list above are most
threatened by this expected growth? Explain.
B. Case Study: Austin’s Bid for Samsung: In April 2006, Austin convinced Samsung to build a new factory
next to its existing one in Northeast Austin, a decision that the Austin American-Statesman said “solidifies
the future” of Central Texas. Read “News Articles: Austin’s Bid for Samsung,” and answer the following
questions.
(1) Explain the new “economic reality” that this decision illustrates, and explain how this reality is
affecting Central Texas. What kinds of jobs are coming to Central Texas (and to the U.S. as a
whole), and what kinds are leaving?
(2) Does your answer to Question (1) underscore the importance of particular issues highlighted on the
Chamber of Commerce profile? Explain.
(3) What was the “clincher” of the Austin team’s presentation in Seoul? Why?
(4) What concerns did Samsung have about Austin?
(5) Why does the article suggest that the Samsung expansion in Austin should be acceptable even to
people in Austin who are concerned about growth?
(6) What different levels of government were involved in the effort to attract Samsung? What did they
contribute or agree to? What will Manor schools get in return? Why do you think, as the editorial
suggests, this practice “remains controversial”?
C. Your Vision of Austin’s Future: In 2002, a group of area leaders organized an effort, called Envision
Central Texas, to “build consensus around a vision [to] preserve and enhance our region’s quality of life,
natural resources and economic prosperity.” Read their 2004 report at
http://envisioncentraltexas.org/resources/ECT_visiondoc.pdf. Then, in your group, discuss how close
the area around your high school is to this vision. What is lacking? Are there things that are present that
interfere with quality of life? What would have to change, and what are some of the obstacles to these
changes?
If you have children who are going to this high school 25 years from now, what would you want the area to
look like? Prepare a 5-minute group presentation giving a detailed picture of the area as you envision it.
(Consider an area that extends for about a one-mile radius around your campus.) Describe where people
will live, work, and shop; what recreation areas they will have; the available means of transportation; and
any other factors that will help the audience (your classmates) get a sense of community life as you
envision it. Also include:
 At least one illustration (either of a specific site, or of the overall area);
 A discussion of the biggest challenges in getting from the neighborhood that exists today to the one
you envision, and how you might tackle those challenges; and
 A discussion of whether you would favor new businesses locating in that area. If a large
international company wanted to build an auto parts manufacturing plant two blocks from your
school, would you support or oppose tax abatements to bring that business to Austin? Explain.