By Erica Flores, Manager, Economic Development
The Chamber’s Economic Development group has been working hard to support the strategic plan. This month, we have had some exciting staffing news, in addition to making strides with the DFW Marketing team to market the region. Read on for the details.
The DFW Marketing Team
Despite the often publicized and frequent competitions among local community economic developers for corporate projects, there exists a very productive and cooperative spirit among all when it comes to marketing our region. For several years, under the leadership of the Dallas Regional Chamber, Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce and Oncor, the DFW Marketing Team has embodied the working relationships among area economic development offices. Membership is open to economic development representatives from throughout DFW, and the Team engages an annual program of work, leveraging each other’s resources in order to attract attention and projects here. Last week, members of the team visited Southern California for several meetings with site selection consultants and others with influence upon corporate location decisions. Just a few weeks ago, the team exhibited at the International Council of Shopping Centers Expo, providing each member attending the chance to showcase the region and individual communities for new retail development. Other typical Team activities in a given year might include hosting site consultants for presentations here, at which we learn about trends in corporate location, or about state and regional competitors; and having a Team presence at major national conferences populated by those making corporate location decisions. The economic development professionals that work in the Dallas-Fort Worth region are second to none. Together, we enjoy and profit from working together as a team to jointly market this region.
Inogen
In the fall of 2011, while on a marketing trip in California, Dallas Regional Chamber staff traveled to Goleta, in the Santa Barbara area to visit with the full leadership team of Inogen, a company that designs, builds and sells portable oxygen devices. Inogen was outgrowing its location there, and considering other U.S. regions that made sense as possible expansion sites. Early this year, we had the pleasure of hosting members of the Inogen team here in DFW for meetings and tours, and this spring we made a return trip to Inogen’s home for additional presentations. It proved a worthwile effort, as Inogen recently announced it will expand into Richardson, creating 200 new jobs and becoming a great addition to our region’s technology business base. Ross Charest, who heads up manufacturing for the company, was our special guest speaker at the June 13th Economic Development Council meeting, and eloquently capsuled the company, its location decision process, and reasons why DFW and Richardson fit the bill.
Technology Business Recruitment Committee
We know there are many more examples like Inogen “out there”, and intend to identify and recruit more projects like this. A Technology Business Recruitment Committee is being formed to model, target, contact and help recruit tech companies here. Sarah Carabias-Rush, managing director, will lead Chamber staff and the committee toward our goal of recruiting more technology companies and creating the great jobs and tax base benefits that go along with wins like Inogen. Contact Sarah or Mike Rosa for more information on the committee and its qualifications for participation.
Team News
Along with our external progress, we have some exciting internal news to share. Carlie Moe has joined the Economic Development team as our newest Economic Development Coordinator. Carlie will coordinate all aspects of our Blueprint For Prosperity campaign and support economic development meetings and projects. Carlie joins Mike Rosa, Duane Dankesreiter, Sarah Carabias-Rush, Nancy Davis, Erica Flores, Jessica Heer, Jeremy Vickers and Ryan Tharp in supporting economic growth throughout the region. Welcome Carlie!
Corporate Moves
“UnitedHealth Group creats nearly 1,500 new jobs in Texas; including 800 at Connextions, in the Dallas Area” – Market Watch, June 2012
UnitedHealth Group, the nation’s leading health benefits and services company, announced today it is creating nearly 1,500 new jobs in Texas, expanding its already significant presence in the state.
“Healthpoint Biotherapeutics to create state-of-the-art cell sciences manufacturing facility in Fort Worth” – Company Press Release, June 2012
The new, state-of-the-art facilities will comprise 25,000 SF of manufacturing infrastructure, labs and clean room space for the production of cell-based therapies.
“Greatbatch Inc. moving corporate HQ to Frisco” – Dallas Business Journal, May 2012
The medical manufacturing company announced plans to relocate its global headquarters from Buffalo, NY to Frisco to take advantage of an already-established medical device cluster in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
“Inogen Inc. expands to Richardson; plans to hire 200 employees” – Dallas Business Journal, May 2012
California-based Inogen Inc., a manufacturer and oxygen therapy equipment and services provider, announced it will open a corporate office in Richardson and hire 200 employees in the next 18 months.
“Mobis to set up Lancaster distribution center” – Dallas Business Journal, April 2012
Mobis Parts America purchased the 442,000 SF South Point Building in Lancaster for a parts distribution center for regional Hyundai and Kia dealerships.
“California Transportation company relocates to Dallas” – Dallas Morning News, March 2012
California-based MV Transportation Inc., a large privately-owned transportation contract firm, will complete a corporate move to Dallas by June.
“CoreSpace to move HQ to Dallas from Las Vegas” – Dallas Business Journal, March 2012
CoreSpace Inc., a dedicated server and colocation data service provider, is relocating its headquarters to Dallas from Las Vegas.
News and Rankings
2012 Fortune Global 500 List Includes 4 DFW Companies
Dallas Business Journal – Link
DFW is No. 5 on Forbes List of Cities Where A Paycheck Stretches the Furthest
Forbes – Link
Forbes Listed Dallas (#8) and Fort Worth (#15) in Top 25 Best Places for Business and Careers
Forbes – Dallas Link – Fort Worth Link
DFW Ranks 14th (Top Quartile) for Economic Performance in the Brookings Institution June 2012 MetroMonitor
Brookings Institution – Link
Four DFW Cities Rank in the Top 10 Fastest Growing Large Cities since 2010 Census
Census Bureau – Link
City of Dallas has 6th Largest Numeric Increase in Population from April to July 2010
Census Bureau – Link
Dallas Ranked #5 on List of Top Cities for College Graduates
Dallas Morning News – Link
Dallas Non-Profit Arts and Culture Industry Generates $322M in Total Economic Activity
City of Dallas Briefing – Link
Dallas-Fort Worth is the 6th Most Popular Moving Destination
Dallas Business Journal – Link
Dallas Ranks 8th among America’s Most Economically Powerful Global Cities
The Atlantic – Link
Dallas Area Leads Nation in Population Growth, Adding 345 persons per day (One person every 4 minutes!)
Dallas Business Journal – Link
DFW Schools recognized in Newsweek, Washington Post Rankings
Dallas Business Journal – Link
Dallas-Fort Worth #2 Best City in Nation for Small Businesses
Thumbtack.com – Link
Dallas-Fort Worth Ranks in the Top 20 Best Cities for Tech Jobs
New Geography – Link
18 DFW Companies Listed in the 2012 Fortune 500
Dallas Business Journal – Link
About the Dallas Regional Chamber Economic Development Group
The Dallas Regional Chamber’s Strategic Plan, launched in 2010, identifies the DRC’s primary role: economic development. Every DRC initiative will support the Dallas region’s economic growth, thus fulfilling our mission:
Together, we will lead the Dallas region to become the most economically prosperous region — and the most desirable place to live and work — in the United States.
The DRC’s economic development team works vigorously to help support that mission. Each month we’ll provide an update on these initiatives and projects that support our strategic plan goals.
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