Prosperity in Paradise
Published Aug 14, 2009
Port Aransas has long been a popular tourist destination. In fact, many of its residents are actually part-timers who primarily live in other cities but own second homes in the seaside resort.
“For example, we have several residents who reside much of the year in San Antonio but love spending some time in Port Aransas,” says Ann Bracher Vaughan, executive director of the Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce/Tourist Bureau. “We are on the Gulf Coast surrounded by water, the climate is nice, and we have a lot of raw, available land for potential homeowners. It’s an ideal situation.”
Vaughan says Port Aransas isn’t like most idyllic communities that are situated on a coast.
“We have beachfront property that is attractively priced, which makes us unusual and is why there continues to be much construction activity despite the tough national economy,” she says. “Over the past few years, Port Aransas has enjoyed a big economic boom of new condos and single-family homes built.”
One attractive Port Aransas residential development that began construction in 2009 is Cinnamon Shore, a subdivision that features a Southern Living Idea House – one of only two built in the U.S. in 2009. Other resort developments that are under construction include La Palmilla and La Joya de Island Moorings.
The city is also home to a recently built Arnold Palmer signature golf course, which is the only links-style course on the Texas Gulf Coast.
“Activities such as deep-sea fishing, birding, beachcombing and water sports are what Port Aransas is primarily known for, but we also have an exemplary and recognized school district,” Vaughan says. “We are also home to the University of Texas Marine Science Institute, which is a research facility for not only the Gulf of Mexico but all oceans and bays throughout the entire world.”
Corpus Christi is also lucky enough to be situated along the gulf. But besides the tourism aspect, several other factors contribute to the city’s fine quality of life.
“If I was to name the most significant asset for further developing the entire seven-county Coastal Bend regional economy and overall quality of life, it would be the Port of Corpus Christi,” says J.J. Johnston, executive vice president for Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development Corp. and chairman of the Coastal Bend Regional Marketing Alliance. “It is the sixth largest port in the United States in terms of tonnage, and is truly the gateway into the entire Coastal Bend region via the Gulf of Mexico.”
Johnston says people think of Corpus Christi and the entire Coastal Bend region as having only two industries that contribute to livability – the tourism sector and the oil refinery business. However, the area also has many developable sites, a large workforce and a good industry mix that is driven by heavy industry, the military, health care, the port and higher education.
“Right now, there is a total of $7 billion in upcoming capital investments on the Coastal Bend table, so the overall business and industry community is in pretty good shape,” he says. “As for quality of life, we have a symphony orchestra right here in Corpus Christi, and home prices have remained steady in the struggling national economy. It all adds up to Coastal Bend being an excellent place to live, work, play and visit.”
Story by Kevin Litwin
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