Travis County investment remains high

Austin’s reputation as an economic hotbed continues, with a new study from SmartAsset showing that Central Texas is among the fastest-growing areas in the country in total economic activity. SmartAsset, a financial technology company, compiled stats on total investment and business growth across the U.S. and found that Travis County ranks 23rd overall. Texas posted two counties – Comal and Fort Bend – in the national top 10, with Travis County ranking eighth in the state. According to the data, the Austin area’s total number of businesses grew by 11 percent, its gross domestic product grew by $6.1 billion and it added 27.1 building permits per 1,000 homes. That gave the area an overall incoming investment index of 68.30. Neighboring counties Williamson and Hays ranked sixth and ninth, respectively.