Cedar Park gets first-of-kind state certification to bring more tech jobs to area

CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) -- Cedar Park is now home to a first-of-its-kind distinction in the state. The city is now hoping to cash in on the popularity of video games and virtual reality.

Cedar Park is now officially known as a "Digital Media Friendly Texas Certified Community."

"This program is really designed to bring in that tech and creative talent," Arthur Jackson, Chief Economic Development Officer for the city, said.

"It kind of underscores and shows that a city and community is really vested in the digital media and fostering the growth, and not only attracting the company, but showing that we're very innovative," Jackson added.

Jackson said the city wants to become a hub for things like virtual reality, animation, and video gaming.

To understand how popular the video gaming industry is alone, as of 2022, it was worth more than $347 billion, according to Forbes.

'We don't look at Austin as competition'

When it comes to location, Cedar Park said it has everything to offer future companies.

"We don't look at Austin as competition. Cities like Cedar Park and surrounding areas of Austin all benefit from our proximity to Austin," Jackson explained.

In fact, some of those new businesses are already eyeing the spot north of the capital.

"A big company in the chip space, whose CEO already moved here, they purchased a building here in Cedar Park and so we're going to continue to leverage this for more long-term success," Jackson said.

All while the city looks to level up in the tech world.

Joins other programs already in place statewide

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott gives out these designations to cities as a boost to help bring in more tourists, provide more exposure to smaller cities, and bolster economic development.

Other certified programs include: "Film friendly Texas," "Music friendly Texas," and "Tourism friendly Texas."

Read more about the programs on the state's website.