Communities

As the first city south of Austin along the Interstate 35 Innovation Corridor, Buda offers businesses strategic access to one of the nation's fastest-growing metropolitan economies while maintaining a business-friendly environment and an exceptional quality of life. With direct connectivity to SH 130, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, and Central Texas' regional transportation network, Buda is ideally positioned for companies serving both the Austin and San Antonio markets.

The Buda Economic Development Corporation is intentionally growing a carefully curated business community by recruiting and supporting advanced manufacturing, aerospace and defense, knowledge-intensive business services, destination retail and restaurants, entrepreneurship, and innovation-driven companies. Businesses choose Buda for its available industrial and commercial sites, expedited permitting, competitive incentives, highly educated workforce, collaborative local leadership, and a community committed to long-term, sustainable growth. With more than 3 million square feet of Class A industrial space and a strategic focus on quality investment, You Belong in Buda.

Contact the Buda EDC to learn more about programs, recruitment & development, or general inquiries: [email protected]

With more than 43,000 residents, the area located just southeast of the state’s capital city is poised for major growth. With SH-130 – a toll road with an 85 MPH speed limit – running through the county, the area has the fastest highway in America, giving quick and easy access to both Austin and San Antonio. SH-130 also connects with Interstate 10, allowing easy access to Houston as well.

The County is host to the cities of Lockhart (BBQ Capital of Texas) and Luling (world-renowned Watermelon Thump event) which offer their own unique characteristics and benefits. Caldwell County is also the site of the country’s first and largest Job Corps program, Gary Job Corps, located adjacent to the San Marcos Regional Airport. 

Recent locations in Caldwell County include Iron Ox, Hershey's Ice Cream, VFT Technologies and McElroy Metal, Inc. 

While the population of Dripping Springs is close to 7,000 within the official city limits, the Retail Trade Area is home to 67,000 residents. Countless entrepreneurs and telecommuters have been attracted to the community for its proximity to the Austin/San Antonio technology sectors and ease of air travel from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. With more than 60% of the population having 4-year college degrees or higher, the community provides an existing talent pool for various industry verticals.

As the population grows, Dripping Springs works to preserve its bucolic charm through thoughtful and intentional planning. The city is a designated International Dark Sky Community and the offers more than 270 acres of preserved park lands. A “district of innovation,” the Dripping Springs Independent School District is a major draw to the area due to its curriculum and high performance in virtually every area. The success of DSISD graduates is undeniable – the Class of 2019 seniors performed a cumulative 46,127 hours of community service and earned more than $5 million in scholarships. The Class of 2022 also boasted a graduation rate of 98.6%!

Adjacent to Austin and nestled in Texas Hill Country, Dripping Springs is positioned for continued growth and success. Both residents and businesses are proud to call Dripping Springs home, and work to embrace small town sensibilities and protect the unique culture as the city flourishes with expansion. A thriving destination tourism district completes the trifecta for a live-work-play quality of life in Dripping Springs.

Hays County, the nation’s fastest-growing county and center of the Texas Innovation Corridor, is the southern-most portion of the Austin MSA. Hays County is a diverse area made up of unique natural assets, multiple workforce development institutions including Texas State University and Austin Community College, world-class shopping and wineries, the “Wedding Capital of Texas” and the “Pie Capital of Texas”, and a myriad of major employers.

Kyle is strategically located along the I-35 corridor, between two Top Performing Cities in Texas. Just 7 miles south of Austin city limits and 39 miles north of San Antonio city limits, Kyle is in the enviable position along the booming corridor in the direct path of rapid growth. Within an extremely short period of time, Kyle has seen massive growth, investment and commitment from commercial businesses and developers. 

The City of Kyle is the nation's third fastest growing city with a population of over 50,000 and is poised to be the largest city in Hays County. Our population multiplied seven times over since the 2000 Census from 5,000 citizens to just over 56,500 in 2023. We maintain a small town value system including dedication, integrity and creativity to our residents and business communities. We strongly encourage you to begin or continue your Central Texas search here in Kyle.

Nestled between the two major hubs of Austin and San Antonio, Lockhart’s prime position in central Texas and its accessibility to major highways, intermodal transportation via the Union Pacific Railway, and international transportation outlets, including air and Texas’ deepwater ports, make us a great place to start, relocate or expand your business, as well as distribute goods on a regional, national and international scale.

Lockhart has experienced a substantial 14% job growth between 2010 and 2020, considerably higher than United States. Over the same time period, Lockhart has also seen rises in resident’s wages, with an increase of almost 36%.

The city's job and wage growth paired with some of the Austin region’s most affordable land costs and dedication to funding Lockhart’s growth through our Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), which has included the addition of a new water tower, water lines, and further investments in local infrastructure, make Lockhart a great place for businesses to thrive and for residents to put down roots.

The City of Luling is a rural Caldwell County community of just over 5,000 residents located along the San Marcos River at the intersection of Interstate Hwy. 10 and U.S. Hwy. 183, just 23 miles from Interstate Hwy. 35 in San Marcos. Luling has a historic economic base in agriculture and oil. The City is at the extreme southern edge of the Austin - San Marcos MSA, giving it a rural/urban juxtaposition offering the advantages of reasonable land and labor costs within an hour's drive of two major international airports, three regional airports, thirteen colleges and universities and the amenities associated with two of Texas' major metropolitan areas – San Antonio and Austin.

Luling is able to meet the corporate needs for sustainable human and natural resources at reasonable costs to prospective companies. The City can provide a home in a user-friendly atmosphere with immediate access to the decision makers, as well as a community eager to work to make your project a success. A quaint, but progressive town, Luling boasts a tremendous rural quality of life.

Located at the gateway to the Texas Hill Country, San Marcos was recognized as the fastest growing city in the U.S from 2013 to 2015. It is midway between the two major metros of San Antonio and Austin. The spring-fed San Marcos River provides a refreshing playground for swimming, canoeing, tubing, and glass bottom boat rides at the Aquarena Center. San Marcos is the seat of Hays County and is home to Texas State University, the seventh-largest university in Texas and an Emerging Research University with more than 38,000 students. San Marcos also claims the most parkland per capita of any city in the Austin-Round Rock MSA. San Marcos attracts millions of domestic and international visitors to its outlet malls and is home to brand-name companies like Amazon, Best Buy, H-E-B and a host of innovative start-ups.

Uhland sits on top of the county lines of Hays to the west and Caldwell to the east, with Highway 21 utilized as its main road artery. Located in a growing area between IH35 and SH130, Uhland is about 11 miles from San Marcos, 20 miles from Austin, 164 miles from Houston and 220 miles from Dallas/Fort Worth. The City of Uhland currently holds no debt, and with a utility partner in County Line Special Utility District, the area is poised to handle what is coming its way. More than 3,600 acres are available in Caldwell Valley, and another 600+ acres are primed for development in Caldwell Ranch.

Wimberley is in central Hays County between Austin and San Antonio, about 17 miles from San Marcos, 180 miles from Houston and 235 miles from Dallas/Fort Worth.  The drive to Wimberley from almost any direction is scenic and lovely. Ranch Road 12 from San Marcos or Dripping Springs, or the Devil's Backbone, Ranch Road 32 from Blanco, are each a relaxing drive in the country.  "Wimberley," or the Wimberley Valley, includes the incorporated City of Wimberley and the City of Woodcreek, as well as most of central and western Hays County. The center of Wimberley is situated at the confluence of Cypress Creek and the Blanco River, roughly 1,000 feet above sea level on the Edwards Plateau.

With a charming downtown Square, beautiful vistas, delightful boutiques, gourmet restaurants and renowned art galleries in additional to delicious wineries and breweries. Wimberley is a true destination City for visitors worldwide.