2. NEW BRAUNFELS
NEW BRAUNFELS
Opportunities don’t just grow here –
Opportunities don’t just grow here; communities like New Braunfels are unique; cultivated by old world
German heritage mixed with industry-diversified businesses strong in the manufacturing, healthcare,
logistics and distribution, and aviation sectors; balanced by an affordable quality of life. Outpacing the area’s
average, New Braunfels has grown 22% in the last five years and has access to a growing 400,000+ affordable,
well-trained labor force and 10 colleges and universities within a 30-minute commute. Complimented with a
pro-business leadership attitude, generous incentives, low tax burden and easy accessibility to IH-35 and
IH-10, it’s no wonder companies such as Ashley Furniture, HD Supply and Leisure Pools have relocated to the
area in the past few years. Over 300 days of sunshine a year and nearby rivers, lakes, Schlitterbahn – American’s
#1 Waterpark and 500+ acres of outdoor recreation make New Braunfels a desirable destination for work –
or play, year round.
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3. STRATEGIC LOCATION
STRATEGIC LOCATION
Centered between Austin and San Antonio
Each year, more than 2-million visitors come to New Braunfels to explore the shopping and recreational activities
steeped in German culture and heritage. Its strategic location has created opportunities to grow in the global
market and satisfy the needs of the international shopper.
Almost equal distance between the seventh largest city in the U.S. (San Antonio) and the State Capitol (Austin),
New Braunfels has easy access to major highways with IH-35 running through the city’s center; a major NAFTA
artery expected to keep pace of growth in the next 10-15 years. IH-10 is only 10 minutes east. Our strategic
location is 15 minutes from the new Caterpillar manufacturing plant, 45-minutes from the Toyota manufacturing
plant and only a 3-hour drive to trade gateways into Mexico, Central and South America. Along with immediate
access to highways, New Braunfels is close to nearby air, rail and bus services:
Highways Serving Area – on Interstate 35 (north-south DISTANCE TO MAJOR CITIES
system) and nine miles from Interstate 10 (east-west system) The city is within a four hour drive of over 12 million people.
connected by State Highway 46. Loop 337 circles city, San Antonio 30
connecting IH-35 north and south. A proposed outer-loop Austin 45
is being assessed by local officials in response to a 2005 Houston 178
thoroughfare plan in an effort to accomodate future Corpus Christi 176
traffic congestion. Laredo 196
Dallas 245
Bus – Greyhound/Trailways – 7 northbound and 6 Monterrey 431
southbound daily. Mexico City 781
Los Angeles 1383
Motor Freight Carriers – Central, Consolidated, Roadway New York 1786
Express serve the city. Southeastern has a local terminal.
FedEx has a large terminal servicing the New Braunfels and
Comal County area. TRAFFIC COUNTS
Railroads – Union Pacific with 38 daily freight trains TRAFFIC INTERSECTION # OF CARS
(19 northbound and 19 southbound) with local switcher. IH-35N and Watson Lane 71,000
IH-35 and Hwy 46 99,000
Air Service – Non-commercial jet service available at Hwy 46E & FM1101 27,000
New Braunfels Municipal Airport. Commercial service at Hwy 46W & Loop 337 26,000
San Antonio International Airport, only 25-minute drive IH-35S & Walnut 94,000
served by most major carriers (21). Austin-Bergstrom Hwy 46W & FM 2722 14,100
International Airport is 45 minutes north and is served by Hwy 46E & FM 758 20,000
17 major carriers.
NEW BRAUNFELS MUNICIpAL AIRpORT
FM306 extended near the new retail development, Town Center
at Creekside, has paved the way for easier access to the New
Braunfels Municipal Airport (BAZ) and the recently adopted
Airport Master Plan giving a targeted direction to increase
traffic and business development. Complete with $8.5 million
in improvements in t-hangars, runways, drainage and signage
planned, a new $1.5 million Air Traffic Control Tower and a 5,000
sq. ft. terminal building, the New Braunfels Municipal Airport
continues to provide a safe and efficient portal with upscale,
quality service.
• Runway 17/35 is 5,364 x 100 ft., Weight
Limitations - Single wheel: 25,000 lbs
• Runway 13/31 is 5,352 x 100 ft., Weight
Limitations - Single wheel: 30,000 lbs
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4. dEMOGRApHICS
DEMOGRAphICS
Growing Population
New Braunfels is experiencing an unprecedented growth rate – growing at an average of 4-6% per year, a 35%
increase in the last 8 years with a population that surpassed 56,000 in 2008 and projected to reach 70,000 by
2015. Founded in 1845 by German settlers, New Braunfels population consists of German descendants, and
one-third of the population is Hispanic.
The Median age for New Braunfels is 32.8; Average Family Size is 3.14
2007 pOpULATION By RACE COMAL COUNTy hOUSING UNITS
White 43,756 86.3% 50,000
Black or African American 1,400 2.8%
American Indian and Alaska Native 378 0.7% 40,000
Asian 929 1.8%
Some other race 5,228 10.3% 30,000
Source: Census. gov, 2007 ACS
20,000
2007 pOpULATION By GENDER
Male 24,593 48.5%
Female 26,087 51.5%
10,000
Source: Census.gov, 2007 ACS
0
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
33,031 34,290 34,472 36,880 38,513 40,240 42,285 42,370
28% increase over the last 8 years
2007 pOpULATION By AGE Source: Census.gov, 2007 ACS
Under 5 years 3,826 7.5%
5 to 9 years 3,349 6.6%
10 to 14 years 3,758 7.4%
15 to 19 years 2,986 5.9% 2007 pOpULATION By INDUSTRy
20 to 24 years 4,040 8.0% Construction 2,331 9.8%
25 to 34 years 8,678 17.1% Manufacturing 2,000 8.4%
35 to 44 years 6,409 12.6% Retail trade 3,598 15.2%
45 to 54 years 6,065 12.0% Transportation & Warehousing, and Utilities 1,126 4.8%
55 to 59 years 2,523 5.0% Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Rental
60 to 64 years 1,861 3.7% and Leasing 1,661 7.0%
65 to 74 years 3,351 6.6% Professional, Scientific Management 2,257 9.5%
Source: Census.gov, 2007 ACS Educational Services, Health Care,
& Social Assistance 4,539 19.2%
Arts, Entertainment, Recreation,
Accommodation & Food services 2,694 11.4%
2007 pOpULATION By Public administration 1,053 4.4%
EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT Source: Census. gov, 2007 ACS
Less than 9th grade 1,887 5.8%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma 2,996 9.2%
High school graduate (includes equivalency) 9,247 28.3%
Some college, no degree 7,455 22.8%
Associate’s degree 2,012 6.1%
Bachelor’s degree 6,803 20.8%
Graduate or professional degree 2,321 7.1%
Percent high school graduate or higher 85.1%
Percent bachelor’s degree or higher 27.9%
Source: Census.gov, 2007 ACS
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5. TALENT
TALENT
Skilled, Reliable Workforce
The center of a well-trained available workforce, New Braunfels touts a strong work ethic among its population.
The diverse industry sector employs workers in a variety of professions including: aerospace, automotive,
construction, engineering, financial, healthcare and manufacturing. In the last six years, the workforce has increased
by almost 20%, 8.85% just in the last year and new primary jobs have kept pace by adding 37.8% of all new jobs
since 2003.
2008 MAJOR EMpLOyERS AvAILABLE WORkFORCE
EMpLOYER - pROdUCT OR SERVICE EMpLOYEES COMAL COUNTY NEW BRAUNFELS
Schlitterbahn Waterpark 1,800 Seasonal CLF 53,562 26,266
Comal ISD School District 1,700 Employed 50,480 24,822
The Scooter Store 1,400 Un-Employed 3,082 1,444
Wal-Mart Distribution Center 1,200 Rate 5.8 5.5
New Braunfels ISD School District 912 Texas Unemployment Rate: 6.8
Christus Santa Rosa - New Braunfels 900 Source: TLMR, Feb. 2009
HD Supply Facilities Maintenance 600
Hunter Industries, Ltd. Highway 500
City of New Braunfels 450
Wal-Mart Super Center Retail Store 435
WAGE RATES
Checks in the Mail Check Printing 328 $700
HEB Retail Grocery 300
$650
ANNUAL WEEKLY WAGE
Source: www.buildnb.org
$600
$550
$500
$250
400,000+
WORkFORCE WIThIN
0
1ST QTR
2008
$644.72
2ND QTR
2008
$617.93
3RD QTR
2008
$635.00
30 MIN. COMMUTE Tri-county (New Braunfels, San Marcos & Seguin) Average Weekly Wage is $15.50/hr
Source: Texas LMCI Tracer
2007 COMMUTE TO WORk
Car, Truck, or Van – Drove Alone 19,020 81.8%
Car, Truck, or Van – Carpooled 2,750 11.8%
Walked 346 1.5%
Other Means 512 2.2%
Worked at Home 631 2.7%
Mean Travel Time to Work (minutes) 22.0 (X)
Source: Census.gov, 2007 ACS
Source: Buildnb.org
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6. QUALITY OF pLACE
QUALITy OF pLACE
Affordable Cost of Living, Unique Quality of Life
An affordable cost of living is enhanced by low city, county and school district taxes. Combined with a composite
cost of living score 6% below the national average and only rising by 1.6% in the last two years; average home
prices 30% lower than the national average. New Braunfels is considered a great place to live, work and play.
ATTRACTIONS MEDIAN hOME vALUE
pARkS: Twelve (12) in City Limits, ten (10) Special New Braunfels ISD $181,507
Use Areas and four (4) Greenbelt Areas – City of New Braunfels $165,253
totaling over 500 acres for outdoor recre Tri-County Area $159,689
ation. Includes 18-hole & miniature golf, Source: Buildingnb.org/NBUAAD
arboretum, nature trail, paddle boats, play RENTAL-OCCUpIED UNITS
ground, picnic areas, mini-train rides,
# Renter-occupied units 6,470
Olympic & Spring fed pools, recreation
Median cost (dollars) $823
center, historical areas, soccer & softball Source: Census.gov, 2007 ACS
fields, “tube” chute, concessions, volleyball,
basketball and tennis courts. MEDIAN COST OF RENTAL & MORTGAGE RATES
NEARBY LAkES: Canyon Lake - 16 miles. Boating, fishing, # Housing units with a mortgage 7,691
scuba diving, water skiing, camping and Median cost (dollars) $1,313
Source: Census.gov, 2007 ACS
dining. Also, Lake Dunlap in City & Lake
McQueeney 5 miles east. pROpERTy TAx RATES
RIVERS: Guadalupe & Comal. Tubing, rafting, Ad Valorem Taxes by Taxing Authority Rate per $100 Valuation
kayaking, swimming and fishing. on 100% of Current Market Value
City of New Braunfels $ 0.409862
WATER pARkS: Schlitterbahn - largest in state. 65-acres of Comal County 0.315201
water recreation and rides. Comal ISD 1.64
NUMBER OF New Braunfels ISD 1.6525
HOTEL/MOTEL & 2,764 State of Texas 0.00
Total tax rate if in NBISD $2.377563
CONdO ROOMS:
Total tax rate if in CISD $2.365063
MUSEUMS: Seven Sales tax: 8.25%
Source: Buildnb.org (6.25% state, 1.5% city, .5% county)
NO pERSONAL OR CORpORATE INCOME TAX IN TEXAS
ANNUAL FESTIvALS AND EvENTS UTILITIES
Texas Legislative Conference Texas Metal Arts Festival ELECTRICITY WATER NATURAL GAS
Americana Music Jam Gruene Music & Wine Festival Supplier: LCRA Supplier: NBU Supplier: Enterprise
Golffest Texas Clay Festival Distributor: NBU Distributor: Wells, Products Partners
Folkfest Tour de Gruene Avg Monthly Bill: Surface Water/ Distributor/Source:
Res – $117.87/1,385 Sewer Centerpoint Energy
Wein & Sangerfest Wurstfest Avg. Month Bill:
kwh Avg. Monthly Bill:
Chamber of Commerce Holidays in Gruene Res $26.71/8,484 $10.33/mcf;
Business Trade Show Festtage gallons; Small Commercial –
Comal County Fair & Parade & more… Commercial – contracts available
$69.84/28,727
Source: Buildnb.org
pER CApITA AND hOUSEhOLD INCOME
NEW BRAUNFELS COMAL CO. HAYS CO. GUAdALUpE CO. % CHANGE FROM 2000
2008 2008 2008 2008 (NEW BRAUNFELS)
Median Household Income $53,471 $59,450 $52,396 $53,009 +25%
Per Capital Income $25,503 $28,410 $23,763 $23,253 +27%
Total Households 18,559 36,583 43,153 36,322 +27%
Median Family Income $62,333 $68,414 $71,406 $63,243 +25%
% Below Poverty Level 13% 11.1% 15% 10% +16%
Source: Census.gov, 2007 ACS
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7. EdUCATION
EDUCATION
Making Room for Future Generations
Comal County and the City of New Braunfels have two school districts: New Braunfels ISD is primarily within the city
limits and Comal Independent School District which spans 589 miles of central Texas, including parts of five central
Texas counties: Comal, Bexar, Hays, Kendall, and Guadalupe.
CISD has 12 elementary schools, five middle schools, and three high schools in the district and is rated as a Recog-
nized school district by the Texas Education Agency. NBISD has 11 total schools within the district and rated as an
academically accepted school district.
To keep pace with the explosive population growth in the area, both CISD and NBISD have passed bonds to build
and expand schools, upgrade technology and purchase land for future schools. In 2005, CISD voters passed a $189
million bond issue followed by another bond in 2008 for $202.85-million to build three new elementary schools
and expand the current middle and high schools. NBISD voters passed a $42 million bond package in May 2006 to
address the current and projected student enrollment. For more information about CISD, vist www.comalisd.org,
and for New Braunfels, visit www.newbraunfels.txed.net
OctOber ‘08 Student / teacher May 2008 attendance rate
enrOllMent ratiO (‘08) GraduateS 2006-2007
(tX avg 95.5%)
New Braunfels ISD 7,503 15.3/1 354 95.5%
Comal ISD 16,015 15.2/1 950 96%
NEARBy COLLEGES/UNIvERSITIES pRIvATE, pAROChIAL AND SpECIAL
Texas Lutheran University in Seguin, 13 miles east SChOOLS IN NEW BRAUNFELS *
Texas State University in San Marcos, 16 miles north Calvary Baptist Academy
Cross Lutheran School
COLLEGES AND UNIvERSITIES IN New Braunfels Christian Academy
SAN ANTONIO ** St. Peter & Paul Catholic School
(36 Miles south of New Braunfels)
Northwest Vista College
Northeast Campus
Our Lady of the Lake University
Palo Alto College
San Antonio College
St. Mary’s University
UTSA in San Antonio
**This list does not include all campuses in the San Antonio area.
CENTRAL TExAS TEChNOLOGy CENTER
(CTTC)
The Central Texas Techology Center (CTTC), located in New
Braunfels, serves as the regional workforce development campus
for New Braunfels, Seguin and the regional area as well as provide
higher education for the local communities. The CTTC offers a wide
range of academic, technical and continuing education programs
to include associate degrees through the colleges of the Alamo
Community College District. Students can complete licensing and
certification requirements in many trade programs through
specialized curriculum. Workforce training programs can be
created or tailored to fit the needs of the local industries as an
added benefit.
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8. Build NB is a non-profit umbrella organization that OUR SERvICES
serves as the public/private partnership involving • Regional demographic and socioeconomic data
• Site selection information through our GIS
the City of New Braunfels via their 4B Board, the
New Braunfels prospector program
Greater New Braunfels Economic development
• Introductions/testimonials with
Foundation and The Greater New Braunfels industry professionals
Chamber of Commerce. Our role is to provide • Coordinate labor market analysis
• Arrange for community briefing and custom
a confidential, single point of contact and offer
tours of New Braunfels
corporate support for businesses looking to • Introduction to community partners
create new jobs in the area; either by relocating • Prepare a customized package of
new business or helping existing ones expand. Local/State “Incentives”
• Assist with specialized market research needs
Visit www.buildnb.org to learn more about the
• Follow-through with the development process
services and incentives we offer.
• Permit expediting through city departments
Build NB partners
MICHAEL MEEk JOHN MALIk HOLLY COVINGTON
Chamber president NBIdC Board president Chamber Economic
development Specialist
BARRY WILLIAMS RUSTY BROCkMAN
GNBEdF president Chamber Economic SANdI SCHENdEL
development director Administrative Assitant
390 S. Seguin Ave • New Braunfels, TX 78130 • 866/927.0905 • info@buildnb.org • www.buildnb.org
