Central Texas kept growing at a fast pace in 2018.
In fact, the City of Temple broke a record for the second straight year, for new home construction.
Families keep coming, keeping city leaders and planners hustling to stay one step ahead.
Like lots of folks, Melissa Cannady and her family recently moved to Temple due to a job opportunity, and they like it here.
"The weather is much colder than where we're from. We love the topography, the rolling hills are great. The people are very friendly," said Cannady.
In 2018, Temple broke a record for new home construction with at least 667 new homes going up in brand-new neighborhoods.
"We're not only seeing it in one area, but we're also seeing it in the north, east, south and west,” said Temple Assistant City Manager Erin Smith.
At about 79 square miles and a population of about 80,000, Temple leaders say they still have room to keep growing.
The thing keeping Temple growing is its the job market. Companies like Palladio, Reynolds, Lane and East Penn all have multi-million dollar expansions in the works. And all of those new workers have to live somewhere.
At the same time, city leaders have to manage that growth.
"You really need to manage your growth and put policies in place in order to do so, and so I think a lot of that comes, in future planning for our infrastructure projects, streets, water and sewer,” said Smith.
She says the city's upcoming revision of its comprehensive land use plan will lay out the roadmap for future growth in Temple.
"I like it. I like the idea of it. I'm more of a city person so I look forward to it. So, I welcome the growth, I do,” Cannady said.
City leaders say they see no end to the growth in sight.
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