January: Georgetown pursues balance amid residential, commercial growth
A booming tech industry and the rising population in the Georgetown area have housing developers turning dirt and city leaders focused on building a well-rounded community with homes, a variety of businesses and amenities.
With 60 subdivisions under construction and another 27 in the pipeline within Georgetown ISD, the city’s population boom is expected to continue.
February: Lower prices, more stock signal cooling market
Following a homebuying frenzy in the early spring and summer of 2022, the housing market in Georgetown and across Central Texas took a turn to finish out the year as the cost of homes dropped and for-sale signs sat in the ground longer.
However, industry experts anticipate offers on homes to start increasing, and many see the sluggish pace experienced in late 2022 as a sign of a better-balanced market.
February: Clean up efforts continue in Georgetown after winter storm
Following Winter Storm Mara, which moved through Central Texas on Jan. 31-Feb. 2, coating the area in ice, Georgetown residents are left to clear debris and assess damage caused by downed trees.
March: 2 systems, 1 problem: Williamson County corrections, juvenile justice systems navigate shortages
Williamson County is facing a shortage of adult corrections officers and juvenile supervision officers, forcing staff to work overtime, preventing youth from receiving individualized care and leaving officials searching for solutions.
April: 15 years in the making: Next phase of San Gabriel Park project to bring festival space, amenities
The third phase of improvements to San Gabriel Park is set to begin in early May, bringing new destinations to the park 15 years after they were approved and funded by voters in the 2008 Georgetown parks bond.
The $7.5 million renovation project includes building a new plaza area with splash fountains, a skate park, a restroom and a shade structure as well as transforming open fields into a festival space.
May: Georgetown looks to join Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter
Like many animal shelters in Central Texas, the Georgetown Animal Shelter and the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter continue to face capacity issues, leaving officials in search of a solution to address overcrowding.
June: EMS crews, hospitals in Georgetown expand services to keep up with patient population
As the city of Georgetown and Williamson County continue to grow, the region’s network of health care providers and first responders is bringing more services to meet the area’s current and future needs.
July: Developers target Hwy. 29 from Liberty Hill to Georgetown for thousands of homes
From Georgetown to Liberty Hill, thousands of homes now stand on what was once a bare corridor along Hwy. 29.
The stretch of road encompasses three school districts and includes Santa Rita Ranch, one of the largest neighborhoods, which could bring 7,753 homes to the area once fully built out. Other sizable subdivisions are under construction or planned.
August: Georgetown ISD navigates bus driver shortage
In Georgetown ISD, worker shortages have forced the district to adapt and make do with the staff it has so programs and services are not interrupted. In the weeks leading up to the start of school, the district was actively looking to fill vacant auxiliary positions in several departments.
It’s vacancies in the transportation department, though, that are often noticed first, GISD bus driver Steve Ledbetter said.
September: Drought conditions strain Georgetown water resources, necessitating restrictions
Despite cooler temperatures and some rain moving into the area, the effects of one of Central Texas' hottest summers recorded paired with extreme drought conditions linger.
These factors have led to one of Georgetown’s main sources of water—Stillhouse Hollow Lake—to dip to its lowest capacity in 33 years. The city’s other major reservoir, Lake Georgetown, is approaching the same levels it did during the region’s last major drought in 2011.
October: Georgetown's $130M bond could fund facility space
The city of Georgetown will have a bond package on the Nov. 7 ballot that includes an expansion of the recreation center. If approved by voters, it could add additional multipurpose rooms, addressing Marcus’ space constraints.
In all, the bond totals $130 million and aims to address the city’s growing population and add facilities to accommodate it.
November: Expanded Williamson County Children’s Advocacy Center provides more space for investigations, healing
The various colored doors of the Williamson County Children’s Advocacy Center welcome in different sectors of the community.
Having separate entrances is a best practice for children’s advocacy centers—nonprofit organizations that connect children who have experienced abuse or trauma to services—and it was one of many new features added during the 15,000-square-foot expansion completed in mid-October.
December: Business parks, industrial developments attracted to Georgetown highways spurring jobs, the economy
Industrial developments in the works along I-35 and SH 130 are transforming the city into a booming manufacturing hub.
In the past few years, officials with companies such as Tesla and Samsung have announced or opened operations in Central Texas. This has led other suppliers and industrial companies to move to Williamson County and the surrounding area.
