Financial Industries Corporation | FIC Careers

Singular City, U.S.A.
(Reprinted with the permission of The Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce)

"Cowboy boots, business suits, and Birkenstocks . . . defining Austin is no easy task. Known for its Hill Country beauty and its flair for the offbeat. Austin is an eclectic Texas blend of old west, high-tech, and new bohemia.

And, as hard as Austin is to pigeon hole, it's a city where the celebration of the individual permeates the city's culture as well as its economy. While the entrepreneurial spirit of Austinites has generated a sense of independence, it's also created a strong marketplace. Accordingly, Austin has nurtured scores of entrepreneurs, often under the age of 30, many of who have ventured into software development, creating a realm of innovation and a forward-thinking workforce. Called Silicon Hills, Austin's thriving high-tech sector has become one of the most prominent in the nation.

However, Austin's economy is diverse. As the state's capital, Austin employs many through federal, state and city jobs. The University of Texas at Austin is also one of the city's major job providers. And, as the advanced technology sector grows, so do banking and finance, conventions and tourism, and retail and restaurants.

In addition to its financial wealth, Austin is rich in natural beauty, its limestone cliffs, scrubby cedars and emerald springs inspiring environmental interest and attracting outdoor enthusiasts of all types. Patrons of Mother nature pay homage to the setting sun over Lake Travis with a standing ovation as they flock to the Congress Avenue bridge to watch over a million Mexican free-tailed bats take flight at dusk over the Colorado River. When Austin's historic, 500-year-old Treaty Oak almost died in 1989, Austinites expressed their sorrow and love through vigils and totems.

Austin lies in the heart of Texas on the Balcones Escarpment, a fault line – named by the Spaniards for its balconylike appearance – that separates the Texas coastal plains from the Hill Country. It's a location that is not only geographically significant, but also central to major markets in this country and Latin America. As the 16th largest city in the United States, Austin is fewer than 200 miles from three of the 10 largest cities in the country – Houston, Dallas and San Antonio – and 225 miles from the Mexican border.

In large part due to the area's growing reputation as a business powerhouse and cultural hot spot, Austin and its neighboring communities have seen tremendous growth over the past decade. Measured as part of a five-county metropolitan area – Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis and Williamson counties – Austin's regional population has skyrocketed to more than 1 million, only half of whom live in the city of Austin itself.

Williamson County, just north of Austin, has led the pack in growth in recent years. The cities of Georgetown and Round Rock, both in Williamson County, have become viable economic centers in their own right, attracting newcomers with job opportunities and an excellent quality of life.

San Marcos, in Hays County to the south; Bastrop, in Bastrop County to the east; and Lockhart, in Caldwell County southwest of Bastrop, have also shared Austin's prosperity. Linked by Interstate 35 and other smaller highways, they provide small town comforts with easy access to the Capital City – a city that's as singular in both style and substance as the individuals that live here.

Whether it's being labeled the third-hottest place for jobs by Time, one of the safest places to live by Parade, one of the best cities for business by Fortune, or a city of the future by Forbes, the Austin area offers a bounty of opportunities.

So for those into Tex-Mex or tofu, barbecue or cappuccino, welcome to the little big city of diversity.

Austin Factoids
Source: Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and U.S. Census Bureau

Founded — 1839
Austin MSA Population — 1.45 million
Elevation — 425-1,000 feet above sea level
Average Days of Sunshine per Year — 300
Average Temperatures — 42 to 62 degrees in winter & 75 to 95 degrees in the summer
Average rainfall — 32.49 inches. Snowfall is rare.
State Income Tax — None
Local Sales Tax — 8.25%

Distances from Major Texas Cities
Dallas / Ft. Worth — 200 miles
Houston — 175 miles
San Antonio — 80 miles

Home Prices
Average Price, existing home — $163,800 (as of Q1 2005)

Sights and Attractions
(Reprinted with the permission of The Austin Chamber of Commerce)

Situated on the threshold of the Texas Hill Country, Austin lures newcomers and natives alike with its stunning natural beauty. Whether you take a stroll around Town Lake or mountain bike through the Barton Creek Greenbelt, it's impossible to resist Austin's God-given splendor.

For those who prefer to spend more time indoors, Austin's culture and history are also very attractive. A political powerhouse, Austin enjoys the accessibility of the Capital, the Governor's mansion and the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

But the region also holds many one-of-a-kind gems, like the Austin's Children Museum and Schlitterbahn Waterpark and Resorts, that make living in the Austin area such a quality experience.

Bat Watching — Austin has the largest population of urban bats in North America. Watching the winged creatures take flight at dusk each summer has become a popular local pastime.

Austin Zoo — This southwest Austin landmark is home to an assortment of fascinating domestic and wild animals.

Auditorium Shores — This wide-open area on the south shore of Town Lake hosts many special events, including a number of annual festivals and concerts. Home of the Stevie Ray Vaughan statue, its open spaces and glistening waters invite all types of adventurists.

Hill Country Flyer — Austin's own steam excursion train of refurbished 1920s-era coaches and lounges, pulled by a restored 1916 steam engine runs on weekends.

Lyndon Baines Johnson Library & Museum — Located on the University of Texas Campus, it is the most visited presidential library.

Barton Springs Pool — Spring-fed water averaging 68 degrees Fahrenheit gushes up to fill Austin's favorite watering hole, a 1,000 foot-long pool.

Highland Lakes — 150-mile chain of seven Highland Lakes is the largest concentration of fresh water lakes in Texas with more than 700 miles of shoreline, 56,000 acres of water and some of the best fishing in the state.

"It's impossible to resist Austin's God-given splendor."