I first heard about the possibility of Austin getting a medical school at an Austin economic update that the Chamber of Commerce put on a few months ago.  As time has gone by, there has been more talk about the subject.  A number of higher-ups in the city including a senator and the mayor of Austin are calling for a medical school in Austin.  The Chamber estimates that a medical school could bring the city almost $2.5 billion into the economy.  There would be a lot of jobs created as well.

Austin's economy has had a lot of high tech for a number of years.  More recently, the area has entered the bio-technology arena, but it has a small presence in the market.  The addition of a medical school could change that for the better.  It has been estimated that a medical school could generate close to 20,000 new jobs when you consider the school itself and all that it would support, including more biotech jobs.

Where this school might be is something I have not heard.  The supporting school for it would be the University of Texas, which already supports medical schools in other areas.  Being the largest city besides San Jose, CA without a medical school makes me think that the powers that are working the establishment of one makes me think we will here a lot of positive developments about getting a medical school in Austin.  The city continues to grow, the economy is healthy and the existing hospitals and clinics could use the support of a medical school.

One thing this makes me wonder is whether or not the existing School of Nursing at UT might grow if a medical school was in Austin.  There is a huge shortage of nurses in the country as it is and I would personally like to see Austin produce more nurses.