Business View Civil and Municipal | February 2021

72 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL FEBRUARY 2021 As the community continues to grow, so does the need for housing. Located just 25 miles from downtown Austin, there is an influx of commuters looking for accommodation in Taylor, creating an increase in residential housing development. According to Yantis, “We have about 900 residential units that are in the planning phase right now. This past year, we have issued about 180 single family residential permits, and we see that continuing to increase over the next several years; I don’t see it really slowing down anytime soon.” A comprehensive planning project under the name “Envision Taylor” is also underway, with some focus on optimizing development in the city’s interior, while making use of, and maintaining, existing infrastructure. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas is Taylor’s largest employer, providing more than 740 workforce positions in the city. Known as ERCOT, this non-profit corporation manages the flow of electric power to more than 26 million proud to be his hometown, We have people that come to visit Taylor just to learn more about Dan Moody – he was a great man.” An Amtrak stop in downtown Taylor offers a convenient way for tourists to plan a day trip to enjoy the unique experiences the city has to offer. With a robust trail and park system, residents of Taylor can walk, hike, or bike throughout the connected paths that run through the city. Taylor Regional Park, a baseball and softball complex, is host to many local and out of town tournaments. “It’s a big draw for people to our town,” says Yantis. “Right next to the park is the Williamson County Expo Center, where they host livestock shows, rodeos, and other expo type events in that facility. Both are really first class. In addition, the City of Taylor was excited to partner with Skyler Design Build on the construction of the new Dickey-Givens Community Center. This is an important project for the community and Skyler has been a key to the success of the project.”