Success Breeds Success in Round Rock, Texas

Why does the name of Round Rock, Texas sound familiar? Dell and DuPont Photomasks made it a household word when they chose that community for their corporate headquarters.

Here are just a few reasons why Round Rock is synonymous for business success:

Sizzling Location: Only 15 minutes north of Austin on Interstate 35, this town of 82,000 is positioned for prosperity. Just 22 miles to the south is a major international airport, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, and within 45 minutes, you have access to 12 colleges and universities, including the University of Texas.

Highly Educated Workforce: The Austin-Round Rock MSA is the 2nd most educated workforce in the country. Over 35% of the population over age 25 have at least a Bachelors degree. Opening in August 2005, the new Round Rock Higher Education Center, a collaboration of Texas State University, Temple College and Austin Community College, will further boost educational choices by offering workforce training, certificate, associates, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.

Planning for Prosperity: In order to provide seamless transport routes and a system to move a growing populace, city officials designed a plan in 1997 to devote a half-cent sales tax to transit projects. The sales tax has helped fund $93 million in new road projects since 1999. Two major projects, SH 45 and SH 130, will provide additional connectivity for commuters and interstate traffic to San Antonio.

A Focus on Lowering Taxes and Costs: A single-family home in Round Rock costs approximately 8 % less than in nearby Austin.  Round Rock voters chose to dedicate one half-cent sales tax to property tax reduction, which has led to lower taxes for property owners. Round Rock residents and businesses pay the lowest combined average monthly utility and tax cost over any other city in Central Texas. City services continue to earn a 91% satisfaction rating among residents and business owners alike.

The State of Texas has no corporate or personal income tax. Combine that with the lowest property taxes in the region and you’ll find a business community dedicated to your success.

The latest ACCRA Cost of Living Index score for Round Rock was 88.0 with a national composite average being 100. This was one of the lowest cost of living scores among comparable technology-driven communities. Compare Denver: 103.3, Phoenix: 97.9, San Jose: 68.9, and Raleigh: 92.7.

Rapid Response: To entice industry,Round Rock has implemented a pro-business attitude of swift action and elimination of “red tape.” Cypress Semiconductor’s location process illustrates this point. The semiconductor manufacturer went from discussions to shipping product in one year. Similarly, DuPont Photomasks, a manufacturer of photomasks for microchip makers, began business just 10 months after receiving its first permit.

Success Breeds Success: In 1994, just before Dell announced their selection of Round Rock for their corporate headquarters, no one would have guessed that Round Rock would become the boomtown of Central Texas in just 10 short years. Seeking a diversified economy, Round Rock has enticed key industry and employers such as Hospira, a health care products manufacturer employing 1,300; Michael Angelo’s, an Italian food manufacturer employing 600; Teco/Westinghouse, manufacturing heavy equipment motors and employing 450; and Sears Customer Care Network with their call center of 1,450.

Put Round Rock on your short list and visit us to learn more about how we grow success.

Scott Martinez
VP-Economic Development
Round Rock Economic Development Partnership
221 East Main Street
Round Rock, TX 78664
512.255.5805 or 800.747.3479 smartinez@roundrockchamber.org