February 19, 2010 - Yesterday the Austin City Council approved economic incentives for LegalZoom, which announced plans to locate its regional headquarters in Austin, Texas. This expansion will result in the creation of 600 jobs for Central Texas residents and marks the second successful relocation announcement of 2010 for Opportunity Austin.

“The Austin Chamber is pleased that LegalZoom chose Austin and looks forward to the continued growth of the e-commerce, technology and business services sectors of the Greater Austin economy,” said Tim Crowley, 2010 Opportunity Austin Chair. “LegalZoom stands to provide jobs with great benefits and career growth opportunities for Central Texas residents and we are proud to have their regional headquarters here.”

The City Council voted to approve an economic development package of $200,000 over 10 years, contingent on the company creating and maintaining 600 jobs and investing $1.75 million as well as naming Austin its regional headquarters.

"Texas is the best state in the nation for business thanks to our low taxes, reasonable and predictable regulatory environment, skilled workforce and incentives such as the TEF, which continues to be an essential deal closing fund for Texas, helping to attract jobs and capital investment across the state," said Gov. Perry. "This investment in LegalZoom will bring up to 600 jobs and millions of dollars in capital investment to Austin, and strengthen Central Texas' economy."

Governor Perry’s office has announced a $1 million award from the Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF) for the regional headquarter relocation to Austin. The city incentive agreement is part of a package developed in partnership with the State. This marks the seventh time the city and the State have joined forces to create jobs in Central Texas since the Enterprise Fund’s inception in 2003. The Texas Enterprise Fund was created to help ensure the growth of Texas businesses and create jobs throughout the state.

"We're thrilled with the City Council's vote and are very excited to move forward with our Austin expansion plans. Since we started in 2000 we've been based solely in Los Angeles. So selecting our first location outside of Los Angeles was a very big decision for us, which we carefully considered for over 6 months. We sincerely appreciate the efforts of Governor Perry, the Austin City Council and Chamber of Commerce in crafting a very attractive incentive package through both the Texas Enterprise Fund and the City's Economic Development Program. Their hard work and warm welcome were instrumental in our selecting Austin as our second home," said Frank Monestere, President & Chief Operating Officer LegalZoom.

LegalZoom is the nation’s leading on-line legal document preparation services which provide legal resources and tools to allow individuals to make their own legal decisions. Currently headquartered in Los Angeles, LegalZoom was launched with the purpose of providing the public with quick and easy online access to affordable, quality legal documents. The company has served over 700,000 customers and has a 95% referral rate since its inception in late 2000.

The Austin Chamber, through Opportunity Austin, worked with LegalZoom during their search to find a location for their expansion, encouraging the diversification of the Austin metro economy.

About Opportunity Austin
Opportunity Austin is the Austin Chamber of Commerce's five-year economic development initiative to foster sustainable growth through the creation of new jobs and increased payroll in the Central Texas region.