Live, Work, Play, Shop, Eat and Stay in Leander
Leander’s population just reached 50,000, and with a growth rate of over 11% (16 people a day) it is now the fastest growing city over 50,000 in the country. With almost 1,600 single family housing starts last year and a number of new multifamily projects either open or under construction there seems to be no stopping the city’s expansion.
The Leander Transit Oriented Development (TOD) district, focused on the city’s rail depot providing the only commuter rail line into downtown Austin, is rapidly developing and is expected to be home to over 30,000 people when complete. With a 100 acre Austin Community College campus under construction and a 50 acre St. David’s hospital/medical complex set to break ground shortly within the TOD, city leaders are in the process of seeking property for its next mixed use development center.
Add to that the “Old Town Small Business Grant Program” (three grants made and more on the way) that is revitalizing the older part of the TOD and you can see why Leander is progressing so rapidly.
The Leander Independent School District is one of the fastest growing districts in Texas, maintaining its high standards as it grows. Serving close to 40,000 students in five high schools, eight middle schools, twenty-four elementary schools and two alternative schools, the district expects to continue to add approximately 1.5 schools annually in the foreseeable future.
Over 70 primary employers, representing 35 North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) codes, call Leander home employing more than 2,000 people and occupying over 750,000 square feet of industrial/light industrial space and growing.
With a working population boasting an over 40% attainment of a college bachelor’s degree or better, the city is attracting considerable interest from employers requiring a highly skilled workforce.
A Few Facts on Why Leander is Such a Great Place to Open A Business:
• Forbes ranks Leander as #3 in the nation, Best Small Cities for Families
• Easy access to the Hill Country to the west and proximity to Austin, made easier via the only commuter rail line to the downtown center of the city, creates opportunities few cities in the MSA can offer
• Leander ISD is the 10th fastest growing district in the nation and has an excellent academic reputation
• The city will soon have a 100 acre college campus that is projected to serve 12,500 students when fully built out
• Construction of a new hospital and at least one new hotel are scheduled to begin shortly
• Companies are finding that via reverse commutes via the Cap Metro rail line, they are able to access a more diverse workforce than almost any other location in the area can offer
“Our family has always had a great relationship with Texas, which is home to many of our relatives. I personally spent years in Dallas studying law at SMU. As amazing as NY City is, it becomes depressingly difficult to raise a healthy family, to afford commonly sought after amenities without breaking the bank. Between state income tax, union imposed deals and taxation, traffic, crime, cost of living overall, the quality of everyday life becomes decimated.
We wanted to get out of NYC and move to a small suburbia where a big city was in close proximity, that had great schools, good weather, with a middle-aged residential trend, economic potential that was not tied to a single tier economic direction and at the same time without much pollution risks. We found Leander, and it seemed to be the perfect choice. Not surprising, years later it still feels to be the perfect choice. Leander combined all the salient features in our list, and, we did not think twice about it. Bonus to the list, Leander had a train line right at the heart of town. Last but not least, Leander is in the heart of Williamson County. We appreciate conservative values and leadership, and Leander has the best of it.
In Leander we found a strong, focused business network supportive of our venture. This business network comprised key players such as the Chamber of Commerce, the City of Leander Business Development Department, business consultants, realtors, doctors and more. With their love and support, over the years, we expanded from the small local eatery to a dinning experience with the perfect space to relax, to enjoy a one-of-a-kind personalized experience. Luigis has been voted widely in the last five years, and enjoys a tremendous local following. Additionally, in Autumn of 2014, we opened the doors to the already popular Leander Beer Market, and starting this February are expanding this store to serve ice cream, craft coffee, Mediterranean desserts in addition to the beer and wine.
Our customers can always expect a very relaxed, comfortable space and high quality products. We are looking to expand and bring more friends and relatives from NYC to Leander in the next few years, its so good in Leander. We are truly blessed for the choice we made and the friendship we found in Leander.”
– Genc Krasniqi
Luigis Ristorante Italiano
