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Everything will be fine in 2009

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2009 is officially here! There was a lot of development in 2008 in Central Texas. Even though the rest of the country's economy fell into a recession, the Hill Country is thriving.

The 1890 Ranch Shopping Center brought a wealth of new businesses and new tax revenue to our city. Local governments depend on the sales taxes to help offset the property taxes which must be levied. Home owners don't like seeing their property taxes go up, so anytime local government can get money from somewhere other than property taxes, they love it.

Leander gained a Lowe's, Taco Bell, a McDonald's and a Kohl's. These types of businesses brought in sales tax revenue Leander has starved for. Leander recently began stiffening the restrictions on the types of neighborhoods it allows developers to build in the city. It is a lot easier to turn down a housing development with small lots if you have a strong retail tax base to help pay the bills. Home building has slowed in Leander but the neighborhoods going in are as nice as anywhere.

In 2009, light rail will officially come to Leander. The number of people actually riding the train will depend more on the price of gasoline than anything else. Leander will still get a lot of mileage by being on the end of or beginning of the rail line. Mayor Cowman is particularly fond of saying Leander is the start of the rail line and Austin is the end.

The biggest event of the year in this area will be the opening of the Cedar Park Center. The Texas Stars will have an influence on the area but more important will be the wide variety of shows and events which will also be held here. City leaders hope the event center will help turn Cedar Park into a destination city. When big name entertainers and events are staged at the center it is sure to bring out visitors from Austin to Waco. Many of these visitors will be coming to Cedar Park for the first time.

When the parking lot is full at the entertainment center you can bet area businesses will be reaping the benefits and our economy will continue to out-perform the rest of the country.

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