FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ECT to host Regional Growth Meetings in Hays County Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Envision Central Texas to host Regional Growth Meetings
for Hays County on March 24 and April 2

(AUSTIN) - Envision Central Texas (ECT), a non-profit visioning and planning organization, is hosting Regional Growth Meetings for Hays County on Monday, March 24 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the San Marcos Activity Center, Room 3, at 501 Hopkins Road in San Marcos and on Wednesday, April 2 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Dripping Springs ISD Administration Building at 510 West Mercer Street in Dripping Springs. The purpose of the meetings is to gather input from Hays County citizens about important growth-related issues in the Central Texas Region.

Five years ago, Envision Central Texas asked citizens to weigh in on how they would like to see the region grow, including how and where land is developed for housing and jobs, the types of homes we live in, how we travel around the region, and how we treat our environment. The input from many thousands of Central Texans formed the basis of a regional Vision which describes the principles, features and priorities that citizens deemed critical to preserving and enhancing our quality of life, today and in the future.

Envision Central Texas is currently conducting a Vision Progress Assessment to determine how the region has changed since 2002, if it is moving toward the concepts described in the Vision and the key priorities for moving forward. Input gathered from Regional Growth Meetings in each of the five Central Texas counties will be included in the Vision Progress Assessment report to be completed in May.

Presenters at the ECT Regional Growth Meeting for Hays County will summarize key changes that have occurred in Hays County and the rest of the region over the past five years, discuss some of the significant opportunities and challenges that are emerging and gather input from citizens on issues like transportation, the local economy, land use and the environment.

Citizens are invited to attend this significant meeting and voice their opinions about how they would like to see their community grow. No reservations are required for the meeting. Refreshments will be served. For questions, please call Wendy Peeples at Envision Central Texas at 512-916-6012 or visit the ECT website at www.envisioncentraltexas.org.


Regional Growth Meetings Schedule

Caldwell County
Date: Thursday, March 20
Time: 6:30 pm - 8 pm
Location: Lockhart City Hall
Room: The Sam Glosserman Room
Address: 308 W. San Antonio St., Lockhart

Hays County #1
Date: Monday, March 24
Time: 6:30 pm - 8 pm
Location: San Marcos Activity Center
Room: Meeting Room 3
Address: 501 Hopkins, San Marcos

Bastrop County
Date: Wednesday, March 26
Time: 6:30 pm - 8 pm
Location: Bastrop Public Library
Room: Meeting Room
Address: 1100 Church Street, Bastrop

Williamson County #1
Date: Monday, March 31
Time: 6:30 pm - 8 pm
Location: Cedar Park Public Library
Room: Community/Conference Room
Address: 550 Discovery Blvd., Cedar Park

Williamson County #2
Date: Tuesday, April 1
Time: 6:30 pm - 8 pm
Location: Round Rock Stony Point 9th Grade Center
Room: Cafeteria
Address: 1901 Sunrise Road, Round Rock

Hays County #2
Date: Wednesday, April 2
Time: 6:30 pm - 8 pm
Location: Dripping Springs ISD Administration Building
Room: Board Room
Address: 510 West Mercer Street, Dripping Springs

Travis County #1
Date: Monday, April 7
Time: 6:30 pm - 8 pm
Location: Austin Community College Eastview Campus
Room: Multi-Purpose Room
Address: 3401 Webberville Rd., Austin

Travis County #2
Date: Wednesday, April 9
Time: 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Location: City of Sunset Valley Municipal Building
Room: Council Chambers
Address: 3205 Jones Road, Sunset Valley

The Key Elements of the Regional Vision are:
- An effective transportation system that improves mobility throughout the region, increases choices of how we get around - including roads, rail, trails and bikeways - and is coordinated with land use planning.
- Protection of our environment and natural resources so we will have the open space, parks and trails that people cherish, preserve our ecologically sensitive land and ensure sustainable clean water and air for future generations.
- A diverse and thriving economy with a robust base of businesses throughout the region and quality job opportunities for our citizens.
- A variety of housing choices that are affordable for everyone in the region and offer a mix of styles, such as neighborhoods with pedestrian-friendly streets or housing within walking distance of transit and stores.
- Preservation of our region's unique character by protecting and enhancing our neighborhoods, towns, rural areas, historic sites and special sense of place.
- An understanding that social equity and racial harmony are core values that strengthen us and actions that foster respect, civility, and opportunities for all.
- A region-wide understanding that our fortunes are tied together requiring planning, participation and collaboration by stakeholders throughout our region to ensure a successful and livable Central Texas in the future.
Envision Central Texas:
Central Texas will add more than a million people over the next 20 to 30 years. To help address this growth, Envision Central Texas will promote a common vision for the region which preserves and enhances our natural resources, economic vitality, social equity and overall quality of living. Envision Central Texas (ECT), a five-county non-profit organization, serves as a catalyst for change in our region's growth management strategies so that we can advance Central Texas' Vision for the future. For more information visit http://www.envisioncentraltexas.org.

Envision Central Texas, 6800 Burleson Road, Building 310, Suite 165, Austin, Texas 78704
Phone: 512.916.6037, Fax: 512: 916.6001
Email: dmiller@envisioncentraltexas.org
Website: www.envisioncentraltexas.org

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