13 Austin companies make Inc. 500 list
Austin Business Journal (8/24/10)
Thirteen Austin companies were recognized on Inc. magazine's fastest-growing list. The publication's 29th annual Inc. 500 list ranks businesses with the highest percentage revenue growth across three years… Read More

Austin tops green/quality of life ranking
Austin Business Journal (8/18/10)
Austin was well represented in the recent issue of Business Facilities magazine, taking the top spot in two rankings. The magazine's July/August issue features rankings of metropolitan areas, states and countries…Read More

Austin holds one of top job-growth spots
Austin Business Journal (7/28/10)
Austin and the three other major Texas markets registered the nation's strongest employment gains during the past five years, according to figures released Wednesday morning by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics…Read More

Dog gym and 'social club' opens in Austin
Austin Business Journal (7/14/10)
Austin pet lovers now have a new way to keep their pups healthy and socialized. Local entrepreneur Michele Mendoza opened the doors this week to the Zoom Room franchise; a social, sporty gym and training facility for dogs…Read More

Round Rock ranked among best family towns
Austin Business Journal (7/7/10)
Round Rock was picked as one of the nation's top 10 towns for families, according to Family Circle magazine. The national publication chose communities with ample affordable housing, good neighbors…Read More

University of Texas picked to serve on 'Gulf Project'
Austin Business Journal (7/7/10)
The University of Texas was picked to serve on a new group formed to devise safer drilling and oil production practices. Texas Gov. Rick Perry announced the Gulf Project Tuesday during a press conference... Read More

Austin launches landscape rebate program
Austin Business Journal (6/30/10)
The city of Austin is launching Thursday a new green landscapes rebate program. Beginning July, residents can apply to be receive up to $30 per 100 square feet to swap grass for native beds and or permeable hardscapes…Read More

Leander to open $4M fire station
Austin Business Journal (6/30/10)
Leander will open the doors to its new 16,000–square–foot, $4 million fire station next week. The Leander Fire Administration, Training and Station No. 3 was finished on time and on-budget, according to Houston-based builder...Read More

Austin receives $200K to promote volunteerism
Austin Business Journal (6/30/10)
Austin is one of 10 cities receiving a $200,000 grant to hire an temporary employee, charged with developing and executing a plan to increase volunteers to address priority city needs, Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell…Read More

Austin among America's most recession-proof cities
CNNMoney.com (6/24/10)
The "Keep Austin Weird" campaign must have worked, because the Texas capital is among the country's oddball cities that bucked the downturn. In fact, Texas cities starred on the new list of recession-proof metro areas…Read More

Williamson County among top 10 fastest-growing counties
CNNMoney (6/18/10)
The fastest-growing counties in the country, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, are mostly in suburban areas outside of urban centers. The census numbers govern the distribution of more than $400 billion…Read More

Austin named best city for jobs growth
Monster.com (6/10)
Austin is 2010's best city for job growth, thanks to its favorable business climate, growing clean energy and technology initiatives, and collaboration between university and business researchers. Ranking cities…Read More

256-unit apartment complex opening in North Austin
Austin Business Journal (6/15/10)
A joint venture is preparing to open a 256-unit apartment complex in North Austin called Archstone Tech Ridge. Englewood, Colo.-based Archstone and New York-based Bluerock Real Estate LLC formed a…Read More

Austin studio developing Disney Wii game
Austin Business Journal (6/15/10)
Junction Point Studios Inc. in Austin is designing a Mickey Mouse-themed Wii video game scheduled for release this winter. The Disney Interactive Studios' game, "Disney Epic Mickey," is described as…Read More

North Austin complex to becoming affordable housing
Austin Business Journal (6/11/10)
In what city officials are touting the largest deal of its kind funded by stimulus dollars in Texas, a New York-based housing company plans to convert a 476-unit complex in North Austin into all affordable housing units…Read More

City of Austin OKs $44M for water treatment plant
Austin Business Journal (6/11/10)
Austin City Council members Thursday approved, by a 4-3 vote, about $44 million to spur the next phase of construction for Water Treatment Plant 4. Council approved an amendment…Read More

Aetna gives $93.5K to Austin nonprofits
Austin Business Journal (6/11/10)
Health insurer Aetna Inc. has donated $93,500 to 14 Austin nonprofits. Through its philanthropic foundation, Aetna selected Austin organizations leading disease prevention, obesity and health screening…Read More

Two high-profile Austin condos opening
Austin Business Journal (6/10/10)
Residents are moving this month into two high-profile condo projects that will shape downtown Austin's skyline, the Four Seasons Residences Austin and Austonian, which have been highly anticipated in the real estate…Read More

Austin's music heating up
Austin Business Journal (6/3/10)
The city's summer music scene is heating up. Here's a sampling of outdoor live music events that are happening around Austin this month: Bemba Entertainment is hosting World Beat Cruise on Lady Bird Lake…Read More

Austin ranked #1 best city for the next decade
Kiplinger.com (July 2010)
Everything may be bigger in Texas, but Austin's genius is nurturing the power of small. Just ask Rob Neville, who wants to develop his biotech firm, Savara Pharmaceuticals, into a major player in the field of inhaled-drug therapy…Read More

Forbes: Austin No. 2 most innovative city
Austin Business Journal (5/25/10)
Austin was ranked No. 2 on a Forbes.com listing of the nation's "most innovative" cities. To no one's surprise, Silicon Valley technology mecca San Jose, Calif. took the crown on the list ranking 100 of the nation's largest metros…Read More

Austin ranked among top fit cities, again
Austin Business Journal (5/24/10)
Austin was a listed among the country's healthiest cities on two rankings released last week and Monday. The Texas capital city fell one spot to No. 10 fittest city on the American College of Sports Medicine's…Read More

Austin ranks high on quality of life
Austin Business Journal (5/24/10)
In Austin, it's good to be young. Locals are apparently living the ninth best quality of life in the U.S, according to a new study by Portfolio.com/bizjournals that cited the city's youth as a major contributing factor. Austin's strong population…Read More

Austin ranked #1 for best commercial real estate prospects in 2010
Austin Business Journal (5/10/10)
The latest quarterly survey from D.C.-based Real Estate Roundtable suggests commercial real estate trends are stabilizing, but it predicts a slow and uneven recovery. The group surveyed more than 100 senior real estate executives for its quarterly report...Read More

Pediatric cancer program coming to Austin
Austin Business Journal (5/10/10)
Baylor College of Medicine professor Dr. David Poplack was awarded $953,000 from the Cancer Prevention and Research Initiative of Texas to expand the "Passport for Care" pediatric cancer survivor program. Poplack, who is also the Texas Children's Cancer...Read More

Austin Energy building 21 solar learning centers
Austin Business Journal (5/10/10)
Austin Energy, in collaboration with the Austin Independent School District, is installing solar learning centers at 21 area schools. The outdoor centers will include functioning solar generators that power the host school and teach students about the solar industry...Read More

Austin ranked among cleanest air cities
Austin Business Journal (4/28/10)
Austin was ranked as having one of the lowest levels of soot-air concentrations in the U.S., according to a recent American Lung Association report. The "State of the Air 2010" report said Atlanta, Ga.; Cincinnati, Ohio; Cleveland, Ohio; New York City...Read More

Austin radio station looking for Austin's best unsigned band
Austin Business Journal (4/27/10)
Austin's 101X KROX is looking for the city's best unsigned band. Tequila maker Cabo Wabo, founded by Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar, launched the "Your Shot to Rock" campaign, and is recognizing winning bands in seven cities including Austin...Read More

Austin favorite music destination
Austin Business Journal (4/22/10)
Austin was picked as Budget Travel reader's favorite music scene, according to a "best of" poll released recently. Readers voted Austin their No. 1 favorite place for music, ahead Memphis, New York, Los Angeles, Seattle and Chicago, which also...Read More

CA investor buys $43M in Austin real estate
Austin Business Journal (4/22/10)
A California-based equity investor has picked up a $42.9 million, 704,000 square foot portfolio of Austin commercial real estate. Glendale, Calif.-based PS Business Parks Inc. (NYSE:PSB) paid cash in the sale closed Wednesday, according to a release...Read More

Austin green building/solar program gets $10M
Austin Business Journal (4/22/10)
The city of Austin is pouring another $10 million into its green building energy efficiency program, thanks to a stimulus grant awarded Wednesday. The Department of Energy distributed "Retrofit Ramp-Up" grants to 25 communities nationwide...Read More

Austin passes sweeping green energy plan
Austin Business Journal (4/22/10)
Austin City Council unanimously passed the controversial Austin Energy Resource, Generation, and Climate Protection Plan today, but the proposal will not take effect until the council approves a subsequent affordability plan. The resource planning tool is meant...Read More

Solar thermal power facility coming to Austin
Austin Business Journal (4/21/10)
Wholesale clean energy provider ThermalSoul is looking for sites to build Austin's first solar thermal power generation facility. The Austin-based company said Wednesday the new plant will be its first in the United States. Its others are in Mexico...Read More

Austin 3rd best city to relocate to
Austin Business Journal (4/20/10)
Austin was ranked the third best city to move to in the United States, according to a RelocateAmerica.com report. The relocating resources website listed Austin just behind Huntsville, Ala. and Washington D.C. for overall best place to move...Read More

Austin unemployment rate falls to 7.1%, adds 4,600 jobs
Austin Business Journal (4/16/10)
The Central Texas unemployment rate fell for the second consecutive month in March, hitting about 7.1 percent from 7.3 percent in February, the Texas Workforce Commission reported. The Austin-San Marcos-Round Rock area also added about 4,600...Read More

Austin among top hybrid car-buying cities
Austin Business Journal (4/16/10)
Austin was ranked among cities most interested in buying hybrid and electric vehicles, an analysis of national shopping trends found. Virtual car dealership Cars.com ranked Austin 22nd most green car inclined. The company compiled the list according to...Read More

Austin orgs rally for musicians' health
Austin Business Journal (4/15/10)
Two independent nonprofits dedicated to helping Austin musicians stay healthy and happy are rallying for the business community's support this spring. The SIMS Foundation, which provides mental health and addiction recovery services to musicians, kicked off...Read More

Austinites' average wage increased in '09
Austin Business Journal (3/23/10)
Workers living in the Austin-Round Rock metropolitan area earned an average of $20.59 per hour in May 2009 compared with $19.92 a year before, according to survey results from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The National Compensation Survey lists wage data...Read More

Austin grocers taking food donations year-round
Austin Business Journal (3/23/10)
The Capital Area Food Bank of Texas is kicking off a program to let H.E. Butt Grocery Co., Central Market and Randalls Food Market customers give food donations year round. Through the food bank's in-store program, "Fill the Barrel, Feed the Need," the agency...Read More

Austin companies hiring in Q2
Forbes (3/2/10)
Businesses in the Austin-Round Rock area expect to hire at an active pace through the second quarter of 2010, according to a report issued Tuesday by employment firm Manpower Inc. Milwaukee-based Manpower (Nyse:MAN) said 16 percent...Read More

Austin ties for #1 spot on list of cities where recession is easing
Austin Business Journal (2/4/10)
Government spending hasn't hurt Austin, Texas, either. It's the seat of state government and tied for No. 1 on our list of 10 cities best surviving the recession. Jobs have been lost nearly everywhere in the last three years, but between December 2007...Read More

Austin Community College buying property to expand Rio Grande campus
Austin Business Journal (2/4/10)
Austin Community College Board of Trustees approved a contract to purchase properties where it would eventually expand its downtown Rio Grande Campus. ACC will purchase three tracts of land adjacent to the campus, totaling about half an acre...Read More

Free IHOP pancakes in Austin February 23
Austin Business Journal (2/4/10)
The International House of Pancakes LLC has teamed up with Shriners Hospitals for Children to give away free buttermilk pancakes Feb. 23. Austinites who visit one of nine area pancake houses between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. can receive...Read More

Austin top-booked Valentine's destination
Austin Business Journal (2/4/10)
Austin was among the top 20 most-booked U.S. Valentine's Day destinations, according to a Priceline.com Inc. (Nasdaq: PCLN) report today. The online discount hotel, flight and car booking engine sorted more than 30,000 trip requests...Read More

City approves new solar rebate program
Austin Business Journal (2/4/10)
Austin City Council passed the restructured solar rebate program today in an effort to stretch the initiative's budget, which was suspended last fall. Council members voted 6-0 to approve the Austin Energy proposal, amending the solar...Read More

'Music for the City' hits the ground running
Austin Business Journal (2/4/10)
Music for the City, a new nonprofit connecting Austin music and business communities' support for local charities, is off to a busy start in its first few months. Nate Navarro, the organization's co-founder, said the startup had planned to host its first...Read More

Austin reported least job losses in '09
Austin Business Journal (2/2/10)
The Austin-Round Rock region lost the least number of jobs in Texas last year, shedding a net 2,300 positions, or 0.3 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics year-end report released today. The area's workforce performance...Read More

Schlitterbahn's Cedar Park resort will add 'thousands of jobs'
Austin Business Journal (1/29/10)
Cedar Park City Council members unanimously approved a $360 million Schlitterbahn water park, resort and conference center Thursday evening, creating the potential for "thousands of new jobs." New Braunfels-based Schlitterbahn...Read More

Austin 5th best city of film
Austin Business Journal (1/29/10)
Austin was ranked the fifth best city to make movies today. The trade publication MovieMaker listed the country's 10 best places to film in its latest issue, and moved Austin to the No. 5 slot from its 10th place ranking last year...Read More

Travis County bond rating elevated, Fitch cites Austin's 'resilient economy'
Austin Business Journal (1/29/10)
Fitch Ratings elevated Travis County Emergency Services' District 1 bond rating to "BBB+" from "BBB" Thursday, citing Austin's "resilient area economy." The North Lake Austin fire protection and emergency services team has...Read More

SXSW moves trade show to larger space
Austin Business Journals (1/20/10)
The 24th annual South by Southwest trade show was moved to the Austin Convention Center ground floor to accommodate 25 percent more participants, officials said today. The interactive, film and music festival's trade show is usually...Read More

St. David's South Austin Hospital to get $72M makeover
Austin Business Journal (1/15/10)
St. David's South Austin Hospital is getting a new name and undergoing a $72 million renovation and expansion. On top of that, it's also getting a new CEO. Erol Akdamar, who led the South Austin hospital for five years, left last week...Read More

Texas, Austin joins Haiti relief efforts
Austin Business Journal (1/15/10)
Gov. Rick Perry formed a search and rescue task force including 18 Austinites that will assist in earthquake recovery efforts in Haiti. "In the wake of the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti, Texas is standing by to deliver much needed...Read More

Texas ranks low of U.S. foreclosure rates
Austin Business Journal (1/14/10)
Texas fared better than most in a ranking of U.S. foreclosure rates, according to new research from RealtyTrac Inc. Though 4 percent more foreclosed in 2009, the Texas came in 29th among U.S. states. Slightly more than 1 percent of homes...Read More

Austin housing market OK, will improve later this year
Austin Business Journal (1/14/10)
The spiraling home market has neared stabilization and could see a slight rebound in Austin this year, according to local real estate experts during a 2010 housing forecast Wednesday. Speakers during the Austin Board of Realtors and the...Read More

Slightly more traveled to Austin in November
Austin Business Journal (1/8/10)
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport experienced a 1 percent bump in passenger traffic in November last year compared with November 2008, according to the latest report from the airport. Roughly 678,920 passengers traveled through the airport...Read More

Austin planning committee wants to stall tall building rule changes
Austin Business Journal (1/8/10)
The Austin Planning Commission executive committee wants to wait another four months to adopt a new density bonus program that would govern how much money developers would pay the city to build tall buildings downtown, sources said. The committee also plans to...Read More

Austin receives $4.8M in stimulus green job funds
Austin Business Journal (1/6/10)
Austin will receive $4.8 million in stimulus funds for solar industry job development, U.S. Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) announced today. The U.S. Department of Labor funds will support efficiency and renewable energy job training programs...Read More

UT Uteach program expands to 20 universities
Austin Business Journal (1/6/10)
A University of Texas program designed to increase the number of math and science teachers will be expanded to 20 other universities this year, officials announced today. Pres. Barack Obama announced the extended National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) UTeach initiative...Read More

Austin office leasing stabilizes, price increases a good sign
Austin Business Journal (1/5/10)
Medical office rentals continued to dominate new commercial real estate deals in fourth quarter 2009, while vacancy increases and price depreciation slowed across the Austin market as a whole, Oxford Commercial Inc. reported today...Read More

Central Texas garners job creation stimulus funds
Austin Business Journal (1/5/10)
The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded a $2.2 million grant meant to employ and train 500 laid off workers in Central and Southeast Texas. "Texas construction and manufacturing workers have contributed immensely to our nation, and they deserve...Read More

Austin ranked best city to invest in commercial real estate
Austin Business Journal (1/4/10)
Austin has the best prospects for commercial real estate investment this year, a Grubb & Ellis Co. (NYSE:GBE) forecast reported today. The Santa Ana, Calif-based real estate services and investment firm said it expects...Read More

University of Texas deemed economical choice for students
Austin Business Journal (1/4/10)
University of Texas at Austin is the 25th best education for the money, according to Kiplinger's 100 Best Values in Public Colleges ranking. UT is one of three Texas schools deemed economical for students in 2010, according to the...Read More

Q4 home construction down slightly
Austin Business Journal (1/4/10)
Austin area home builders broke ground on 1,389 new homes during the last three months of 2009, down slightly from the same quarter a year ago, according to a report from Residential Strategies Inc. "We view this market performance favorably...Read More

Census creates 4,000 Central Texas jobs
Austin Business Journal (1/4/10)
Austin area home builders broke ground on 1,389 new homes during the last three months of 2009, down slightly from the same quarter a year ago, according to a report from Residential Strategies Inc. "We view this market performance favorably...Read More