AUSTIN, Texas, July 28, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Austin
residents are overwhelmingly positive about the area's economy and
confident about its continued growth. However, they are anxious
about the city's booming population, finds a new poll released
today by The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) and National
Journal.
The Allstate/National Journal Heartland Monitor Poll
explores Austin residents' perspectives about their city's
innovation, technology, employment, and quality of life. The poll
also takes an in-depth look at how residents are seeking innovative
ideas and solutions, particularly in local communities, to keep
their city moving forward.
To recognize local innovators, Allstate and Atlantic Media have
launched The Renewal Awards, a new program that will
spotlight and reward innovators who are taking creative approaches
to retaining local talent; attracting businesses to their areas;
creating social change; and improving neighborhoods.
"As an Austin business owner, I can tell you firsthand the pride
many of us feel about our city's history of entrepreneurism. The
Heartland Monitor data indicates that this pride continues to
encourage local pioneers to help our city flourish," said
Melissa Fleming, Austin Allstate agency owner. "New ideas and
solutions are part of what fuels Austin's distinct culture and have
led to innovative approaches to addressing community issues, which
is why Austin is a great illustration of the spirit of The
Renewal Awards."
When it comes to growth, Austin residents are highly optimistic
and proud of the area's innovation and local community:
- The majority of those living in the Austin area rate their
local economy positively. More than a quarter (27 percent) rate it
as excellent and nearly an additional half (47 percent) say it is
good.
- Nearly half (48 percent) believe that their local economy will
improve over the next year, while 45 percent think it will stay the
same, and only six percent think it will become worse.
- Looking 10 years into the future, 60 percent say the Austin
economy will have improved by that point, while 22 percent believe
it will be about the same. Only 15 percent say it will become
worse.
- Nearly half (47 percent) feel that the high-tech sector is the
most important industry for Austin's economic future, while other
industries like clean energy (11 percent), music and arts (10
percent), and biotech (8 percent) rate lower.
- Almost three-fourths (73 percent) think their local area is
headed in the right direction.
- More than half (62 percent) approve of their local political
leaders.
- More than two-thirds (69 percent) believe that new ideas and
solutions are more likely to come from state and local institutions
than from national institutions; however, when it comes to major
challenges facing the country, 39 percent believe more progress is
being made on the national level. The perception that progress is
occurring at the national level is higher than found in other
Heartland surveys conducted earlier this year in Denver and Detroit.
- Nearly two-thirds (65 percent) consider the music and arts
scene as the one thing that makes Austin unique as compared to
other metropolitan areas. Music superstar Willie Nelson (named by 21 percent of
respondents) received the most mentions as the best example of a
notable Austinite.
Austin's continued development and expansion comes with a number
of challenges for local residents, including traffic and
geographical identification:
- More than two-thirds (68 percent) feel that Austin is
unprepared to handle the population growth compared to 31 percent
who feel the city is prepared.
- More than half (52 percent) consider traffic and other issues
related to growth as the biggest challenge facing the area.
- Residents are split almost in half on the overall impact of
growth to the area, with 47 percent describing it as positive, and
44 percent as negative. A stark generation gap defines attitudes on
this question, with 55 percent of Millennials rating the area's
growth as mostly positive, and 56 percent of Baby Boomers terming
it mostly negative.
- Nearly half of the local residents identify as Austinites (44
percent), while the other half identify as Texans (49
percent).
- More than one-third (34 percent) of metro area residents say
that local institutions offer ideas and solutions that are "new and
forward-thinking." Yet, this is overshadowed by 41 percent who say
the offerings are "adequate but unremarkable," and 18 percent who
say ideas are "old and outdated."
"In one of the nation's most economically dynamic communities,
the Heartland Poll shows that Austin residents are optimistic about
their future, and proud of their distinctive culture, but anxious
about the effects of rapid growth," said Ronald Brownstein, editorial director of
Atlantic Media. "Many cities might welcome these problems, but it's
clear from this poll that Austin's biggest challenges include
managing economic success, and ensuring that the benefits of growth
are shared by all of its residents."
To see in-depth poll data from the Allstate/National
Journal Heartland Monitor Poll, please visit
www.HeartlandMonitor.com.
The Renewal Awards is the latest project from The Next
Economy series, a seven-year partnership between National
Journal, The Atlantic and Allstate. The series
encompasses reporting from National Journal and The
Atlantic, the Heartland Monitor Poll (which explores Americans'
shifting economic attitudes and experiences), and national and
local events.
Public nominations and official contest rules for The Renewal
Awards are available at
www.RenewalAwards.com.
Survey Methodology
The Allstate/National Journal Heartland Monitor Poll investigates
Austin metro area residents' views on the local economy and
institutions, innovation, and the city's future. The poll was
conducted by FTI Consulting from July 8-12,
2015. The survey included a sample of 400 adults age 18+
living in the Austin metro area, and the counties of Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop, and Caldwell, with 200 reached via cell phone and
200 reached via landline. Respondents were given the choice to take
the survey in English or Spanish. The margin of error for a sample
of 400 is +/- 4.9 in 95 out of 100 cases.
About Allstate Corporation
The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest
publicly held personal lines insurer, protecting approximately 16
million households from life's uncertainties through auto, home,
life and other insurance offered through its Allstate, Esurance,
Encompass and Answer Financial brand names. Allstate is widely
known through the slogan "You're In Good Hands With
Allstate®." The Allstate brand's network of small
businesses offers auto, home, life and retirement products and
services to customers in the United
States and Canada. In the
20 years since Allstate became a fully independent public company,
The Allstate Foundation, Allstate, its employees and agency owners
have donated more than $405 million
to support local communities.
About National Journal Group
National Journal Group (NJG) is a premium provider of essential
insights, analysis, and solutions for those operating in
Washington's policy and government
arenas. The brand currently reaches an audience of over 3
million through its editorial products, including
NationalJournal.com, Hotline, National Journal,
the magazine, and National Journal Daily. In
addition, NJG serves 700 of Washington's top organizations through its
robust Membership Services, and convenes the nation's top leaders
at its 75 widely attended live events each year.
Tim Hartman is the Chief
Executive Officer, Tim Grieve is
President and Editor-in-Chief and Poppy
MacDonald serves as President and Publisher. National
Journal Group is a division of Atlantic Media.
About The Next Economy
The Next Economy is based on a core idea: even in the
face of a political stalemate at the national level, our country
has not lost its capacity for self-renewal. Founded in 2009, the
program uses print, digital and live platforms to highlight how
America is adapting to the changing economy, with a special focus
on spotlighting local innovation driving progress in communities
around the country. Combining editorial, events and
the Heartland Monitor Poll, The Next
Economy is available at
NationalJournal.com/next-economy.
About FTI Consulting
FTI Consulting, Inc. (NYSE: FCN) is a global business advisory firm
dedicated to helping organizations protect and enhance enterprise
value in an increasingly complex legal, regulatory and economic
environment. With more than 4,400 employees located in 26
countries, FTI Consulting professionals work closely with clients
to anticipate, illuminate and overcome complex business challenges
in areas such as investigations, litigation, mergers and
acquisitions, regulatory issues, reputation management, strategic
communications and restructuring. The company generated
$1.76 billion in revenues during
fiscal year 2014. For more information,
visit www.fticonsulting.com and connect with us on
Twitter (@FTIConsulting), Facebook and LinkedIn.
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SOURCE The Allstate Corporation