Austin ranks second on Inc. Magazine's list of best places to start and grow a business

Supportkids.com and Lumatec are Austin businesses featured in article

(Austin, Texas) – November 29, 1999 – Austin is prominently featured in Inc. Magazine’s December, 1999, issue as the second-ranked small metro area in the nation to start and grow a business. The cities (“Hot Zones”) are ranked based on key resources available, including universities, a skilled labor force, good access to airports, inexpensive real estate, a local culture, and infrastructure that supports new businesses. The top five small metro areas are: Las Vegas (NV), Austin (TX), Fargo-Moorhead (ND-MN), Savannah (GA) and Sioux Falls (SD).

“Austin continues to shine and be recognized as an excellent place for establishing a business – be it large or small – and to experience strong growth,” said Austin Mayor Kirk Watson.“Several key factors are at play here in Austin that contribute to the favorable business climate – a strong economy, a highly educated workforce, and a quality of life unparalleled anywhere in the country.”

Two Austin companies are featured in the article as examples of businesses that have thrived, due in large part to having chosen Austin as their headquarters.

Supportkids.com, founded by Casey Hoffman in 1991, is the nation’s largest private child support enforcement company that works directly with families. (The company formerly offered its services as CSE Child Support Enforcement.) Hoffman credits much of the company’s success to its location in Austin as a central spot for national marketing campaigns, with ready access to a pool of high-tech and other skilled workers.

Venture capital firm Austin Ventures’ major investment has also played a pivotal role in the firm’s success. Hoffman was formerly a private attorney in Massachusetts but moved to Austin in the 1980s to head up the Texas attorney general’s child support enforcement division.

“We are pleased to be recognized by Inc. Magazine as a business that has benefited from Austin’s strong business climate,” Hoffman said. “We are a company devoted to helping families and find that Austin’s family-oriented atmosphere is an ideal fit with our company’s values and goals.”

The other Austin company highlighted in the article is Lumatec, which manufactures specialty lighting products, including book lights, credit-card-sized flashlights and other novelty lights. CEO Peter Altman credits Austin’s lifestyle quality and cost of living with helping to convince prospective employees to consider a move.

“Austin has met and exceeded my expectations as a great place to start a business. It’s a wonderful place to live and I’ve been fortunate to meet the right people and make the right connections,” Altman said.

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