AUSTIN | Economic Development

[Cottonwood]

I'm not sure if this is the best thread to post this in, but I thought that those of you in Austin might find this article interesting.


Is Boise like Austin 20 years ago? Lessons from Texas’ capital city provide clues to Boise’s possible future

https://boisedev.com/news/2021/03/17...e-as-it-grows/

The Lone Star State’s capital may be 1,600 miles away, but Austin and Boise share many similarities. They’re both blue cities in red states, host a research university, lack a strong public transportation system, and are experiencing rapid growth due to quality of life and a strong economy.

Twenty-five years ago Austin’s metro area was the same size as the Treasure Valley is now. Looking at Austin gives Boiseans an idea of what challenges could be in store for our city’s future and how Austinites wish they prepared for their current moment. It’s not perfect, but it allows Idahoans a little glimpse ahead in time.

Steven Pedigo, a professor at University of Texas Austin’s LBJ School of Public Affairs, said the city’s weak public transit system hobbled the city’s growth and helped push working-class residents to the outskirts. He said once a city hits 2 million residents and it doesn’t have an efficient transit system, the city’s growth stalls as congestion eats up workers’ time and cuts into what made the city livable in the first place.