Is the Waco/Temple/Killeen area the next DFW? (Dallas: military, income)

[JVTX72]

With all the growth in the Waco/Temple/Killeen area, are we poised to be the next DFW in the near future?

[Kofi713]

Originally Posted by JVTX72

With all the growth in the Waco/Temple/Killeen area, are we poised to be the next DFW in the near future?

I'm not seeing the big growth you're talking about.

Waco: Waco, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA) Population and Components of Change

Killeen/Temple: Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA) Population and Components of Change

You have about 600,000 people in the area, which is really good. But there doesn't seem to be a lot of explosive growth. It also seems like Killeen grows and declines with the troops.

[bellestaroftexas]

drive down Hwy 190 through Harker Heights and Killeen......lots of construction right now. lots of new shopping centers etc. in the big center they are building right now in Harker Heights, there will be a Target...but interesting to note, there is a Target just a few minutes drive down from there in Killeen.........i dont get it, but if a large chain like Target is putting up another store just a few exits away, then they must see the growth here

[Kofi713]

Originally Posted by bellestaroftexas

drive down Hwy 190 through Harker Heights and Killeen......lots of construction right now. lots of new shopping centers etc. in the big center they are building right now in Harker Heights, there will be a Target...but interesting to note, there is a Target just a few minutes drive down from there in Killeen.........i dont get it, but if a large chain like Target is putting up another store just a few exits away, then they must see the growth here

Click the links and look at the actual numbers.

[ChristieP]

I think that the retailers are finally realizing that all of those troops have money to spend and they'd like somewhere to shop besides the PX. Tinker AFB in OK City has the same new development right outside the main gates.

[Rakin]

Is the Waco/Temple/Killeen area the next DFW?

Let's hope not. We already have an area named DFW and it would be real confusing to have DFW 2. Especially if they built another big airport and named it DFW 2 Airport. Planes wouldn't know where to land.

How about we name it WTK or KTW ? We could have a drawing to see which initials come 1st.

[FarNorthDallas]

I talked to someone from Temple who said there is growth in Killeen, but not in Temple. I personally don't see that area being the next DFW - not until major corporations move their HQs there, which they won't do.

[Spade]

Originally Posted by FarNorthDallas

I talked to someone from Temple who said there is growth in Killeen, but not in Temple. I personally don't see that area being the next DFW - not until major corporations move their HQs there, which they won't do.

Killeen has seen the growth in the area over Temple for 20 years now. But no, it won't be a DFW. Killeen is growing and is starting to attract industry to the city other than just the military. When 2010 census comes out. Many expect Temple to have a pop of around 70,000 but Killeen could have over 120,000. Just the cities alone. Killeen is nearing the size of Waco and leaving Temple behind. This is only population though.

[JVTX72]

Originally Posted by Rakin

Let's hope not. We already have an area named DFW and it would be real confusing to have DFW 2. Especially if they built another big airport and named it DFW 2 Airport. Planes wouldn't know where to land.

How about we name it WTK or KTW ? We could have a drawing to see which initials come 1st.

I used to hear on KCEN channel 6, them calling our area the "CENTRO-PLEX". That name suits me just fine!!!!
And I hope planes don't just land themselves, I think they have pilots for that.

[bellestaroftexas]

oh heck yeah. i work on post, and almost everyone i know goes into Austin on a regular basis to shop at gourmet food warehouses like Whole Foods. so there are lots of us here who can afford gourmet foods etc.
military dependents can spend quite a bit of money-think about it, all those wives who are left behind for 15 month tours, have children to "entertain", and they take their kids places, buy things for them etc.
there is alot more disposable income than most would think. during deployments, there is a sizeable chunk of money coming in from hazard duty pay..and then there are the LARGE re-enlistment bonuses $10,000 and up that these families are cashing in on.........
so listen up Whole Foods and other big retailers, there is a market here-and we are smack between DFW and Austin, and there is a big ole empty pocket of area here that could use all the same stuff that these bigger cities have

Originally Posted by ChristieP

I think that the retailers are finally realizing that all of those troops have money to spend and they'd like somewhere to shop besides the PX. Tinker AFB in OK City has the same new development right outside the main gates.