A study was recently done by a New York tech company that conducted data analysis on 446 different US cities.
It revealed that Wichita Falls is the second best place to live for working parents. Smartasset, the group who conducted the study, revealed the top 10 cities for working parents. Quick travel, a low unemployment rate and low cost of child care are just a few reasons why the Falls was number two on the list.
Henry Florsheim, CEO of the Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce and Industry, says the methodology used favored Wichita Falls.
“They looked at things we knew we did well in,” Florsheim said. “Cost of housing and child care is very low here. Commute times is one of the greatest advantages we have. It does not take long to get anywhere.”
Florsheim says it could have a lasting impact on the city because the more people that want to live here, the more likely businesses are to move.
“The more we are a place that people want to live, the more companies will be interested in looking here,” Florsheim said. “Economic development does not work the way it used to, whereas a company would locate somewhere, and the jobs would follow the people. Nowadays, people move to cities they want to live in first. It does not matter how much cash, tax incentives or land. If they do not feel they can find the workforce they need here, they’re not coming. No matter how much we offer.”
It is not the only thing the city can rely on, but Florsheim says it will help, and people are excited about it.
“It is not the sole thing we can rely on to make our community grow,” Florsheim said, “but it is a factual look at who we are. That helps reinforce the story that we tell.”
Florsheim says that if you live in a large metropolitan area, you may have to commute up to an hour and a half a day, which is time you lose with your kids. Smartasset says that Wichita Falls offers a good school system and is the 32nd most affordable place to live out of the 446 cities listed.
– Newschannel 6
