In 2011, several new businesses opened and expanded in Georgetown in response to the community's aging population. Several more are expected to open in 2012, which could include businesses in Village Gate at Sun City, a new commercial development at Williams Drive and Del Webb Boulevard.
Developers Omni Projects and Hall Properties finalized the development's plat in December and plan for the approximately 20-acre property to include nine lots for senior care and health-related options, including skilled nursing, assisted and independent living centers and other retail, said Bruce Barton of Omni Projects.
The property will be accessible from Williams Drive with an entrance from Sun City's Del Webb Boulevard.
"It's connected with driveways into Sun City, so people will be able to use their golf carts and automobiles to get in and out of there without getting on Williams Drive," Barton said. "We worked out a way to make it handy for Sun City residents but also not have a lot of extra traffic for Sun City."
Aging survey
Throughout the month of November, the Georgetown Aging Initiative hosted a survey to collect information about senior adults in Georgetown.
More than 1,800 community members took the survey, and results are expected to be released in March, said Vickie Orcutt, Family Eldercare Williamson County living well coordinator.
"With the increase in population, there was a concern that we have to be culturally competent of the diversity that encompasses that growth," she said.
The survey was designed for residents 60 years and older and asked a broad range of questions about basic needs, civic engagement and life-long learning, Orcutt said.
Dan Bonner, chairperson of the Georgetown Aging Initiative, said the group was created to determine the needs of the aging population and be available to help various organizations and the city with implementation.
"There are a variety of community partners within Georgetown that will benefit the [entire] community," Orcutt said. "This is not just for older adults if we are putting in services, they are going to serve across the lifespan [of Georgetown residents]."