Recent years have brought unprecedented growth to Central Texas communities. In fact, our collective population in Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis and Williamson Counties now surpasses 1.7 million. And it's not going to stop there. By 2030, the population for Central Texas is projected to reach over 3 million.

Envision Central Texas (ECT) was founded in 2002 by regional leaders striving for a new approach to address the tremendous growth pressures on our five-county region. They realized the need for a common vision that would help us take proactive and innovative steps to manage growth in a positive way. The ECT visioning process was unprecedented, with thousands of people from throughout the five-county region discussing future growth as a connected community. The vision took shape as we listened to citizens through workshops, surveys, and community outreach over two years. In May 2004, the Envision Central Texas Vision was released (see the Vision [PDF]), which paints a compelling portrait of what we would like life to be like in our community 20-40 years from today.

In 2005, ECT transitioned from visioning to implementation. Much of ECT's work is done though its Implementation Committees and Task Forces. Highlights of ECT projects, initiatives, tools and resources developed in recent years include:

• Quality Growth Toolbox
• Vision for Natural Areas and Open Space
• Mixed Use Matters: Beginning a Regional Conversation on How We Can Better Design Mixed-Use Communities
• Numerous presentations, workshops and seminars on issues such as: State Highway 130, regional rail, transit oriented development, demographic trends, community design, land development and planning
• Vision Progress Assessment
• Annual Community Stewardship Awards Program
• Regional Planner Roundtables
• Education and advocacy on local funding options for transportation and county growth management authority
• Central Texas Greenprint for Growth
• Regional Forum Series on coordination of regional infrastructure

ECT continues to fulfill its critical role of educating and engaging citizens in an ongoing dialogue about the challenges of growth and the opportunities to shape our region's future. ECT also is a resource to the region on issues related to key growth trends, best practices and strategies that support quality growth and move us closer to the ECT Vision. Read more about our current program of work.

Another important role that ECT plays is recognizing and honoring the innovative people, projects and processes that are addressing the challenges facing our region in ways that will help ensure our quality of life and move us closer to the Vision. Each year, local governments, non-profit and community organizations, businesses, builders, and others are invited to apply for the ECT Community Stewardship Awards. The award categories include New Development, Redevelopment, Innovation, Public Planning and Policy, and Raising Public Awareness, as well as the W. Neal Kocurek Legacy Award. Award recipients are recognized at the annual Community Stewardship Awards Luncheon and their projects and initiatives are featured in ECT educational materials throughout the year. Click on the links below to learn more about the award recipients and finalists of the Community Stewardship Awards:

2006 Community Stewardship Awards

2007 Community Stewardship Awards

2008 Community Stewardship Awards

2009 Community Stewardship Awards

2010 Community Stewardship Awards

2011 Community Stewardship Awards

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