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December 2006 / January 2007 This issue home | Past issues | Chamber home Richardson Chamber Reflects On Banner Year
“We accomplished many of our key objectives in 2006, offering advocacy, networking and economic development services that make Richardson an even more exciting and vibrant place to live, work and play,” said Paul Voelker, outgoing chairman of the Richardson Chamber board of directors. “Looking forward to 2007, we already have a great annual banquet scheduled on Feb. 27, with Rich Templeton, president and CEO of Texas Instruments, as our keynote speaker. We look forward to sharing more details about our recent successes then, and also eagerly anticipate honoring our Richardson Citizen of the Year.” Advocacy Efforts In 2006 Among many notable 2006 achievements, the Chamber successfully advocated for the passage of school and city bond programs in the spring. Through the city bond package, Richardson will benefit from the renewal of vital infrastructure – including street repairs, neighborhood improvements, the complete reconstruction of the Huffhines Recreation Center, as well as vital improvements at City Hall, the City Library and a Southwest Richardson fire station. Additionally, the school bond program will ensure the continued success of our schools in educating the innovators, business leaders and outstanding citizens of the future. Chamber leaders also kept Richardson moving forward in 2006 by pushing for DART expansion along the Cotton Belt rail line. This line will eventually connect communities in Collin and northern Dallas counties to DFW International Airport and the heart of Fort Worth through passenger railways, and the Chamber galvanized support for development along the Cotton Belt line by partnering with organizations from around the North Texas region. Keeping our grocery stores strong was also on the Chamber’s 2006 agenda. On Nov. 7, Richardson residents overwhelmingly followed the Chamber’s lead in supporting a measure that allows these Richardson retailers to sell beer and wine. Most importantly, the initiative ensures that our grocery stores can compete on an equal footing with stores in neighboring areas strengthening Richardson shopping centers and providing greater incentives for retailers to locate or remain in the city. Chamber Programs Offer Networking, Education Opportunities As always, the Chamber offered numerous opportunities for networking and education throughout the year, and the Chamber was especially successful in featuring high-profile speakers and launching new initiatives in 2006. The past year marked 60 years of the Richardson Chamber’s leadership in the community, an occasion for reflecting on the group’s tradition of driving key community objectives. The Chamber’s annual Business & Industry Appreciation Luncheon held Nov. 8 employed the theme “Celebrating the Past, Building for the Future” and featured remarks from Richardson Mayor Gary Slagel, as well as a video tribute to past Chamber and leaders. This celebration was a strong way to end a year that began with a sold-out Annual Banquet in February featuring Ed E. Whitacre, Jr., chairman and CEO of AT&T. Speaker events attracting significant attention, and sizeable crowds, also included the April Signature Luncheon featuring John Sharp, former Texas comptroller and chair of the Texas Tax Reform Commission appointed by Gov. Rick Perry, as well as the September Signature Luncheon presentation by Martin Foster, president of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, on the current crisis in healthcare costs. Additionally, in 2006 the Chamber launched its Women in Leadership Program, offering a series of events where women business leaders and community leaders can meet and exchange ideas. Included among the group’s programs was a September presentation by Ebby Halliday, real estate pioneer and strong supporter of women entrepreneurs. The Chamber also selected its 22nd Leadership Richardson class, who are now participating in programs designed to introduce them to Richardson community organizations and their needs, and to groom them for future leadership positions. Economic Development Team Rings Up Notable Successes Chamber and Richardson Economic Development Partnership (REDP) leaders also played a key role in supporting the city’s economic prosperity and improving citizens’ quality of life, beginning with their role in supporting the redevelopment of Richardson Square Mall by attracting Lowe’s Home Improvement to this location. Also in the retail sector, the opening of The Shire complex at the Bush Turnpike and Jupiter Road brought new upscale dining, retail and office space to a rapidly growing area of the city. The Chamber and City also helped breathe new life into Richardson as developers broke ground in October on the Eastside project. This innovative mixed-use development will offer greater opportunities for working, living and playing in Richardson with 435 new urban style apartments and 90,000 square feet of retail space. Eastside will also contribute to the quality of life in Richardson by establishing a one-acre park equipped with an interactive fountain and amphitheater and walking trail connection to the nearby DART light rail stations at Arapaho and Galatyn Park. Just east of Central Expressway, Countrywide Financial Corp. also continues to expand its Richardson presence in Lakeside Tower adding to the original space by the Eisemann Center and moving closer to its goal of hiring 5,000 employees in Richardson by 2010. Chamber and REDP leaders also helped developers announce plans to revitalize the Collins Technology Park – 109 acres at the heart of the Telecom Corridor® area – as a data center campus. Skyrise Properties is currently converting more than one million square feet at the facility into a state-of-the-art data center campus, and the first tenants should be able to move in by mid-2007. Most recently, the Chamber and REDP facilitated the decision of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas to lease a new headquarters at the northeast corner of North Central Expressway and Lookout Drive, where it will consolidate most of its 2,700 local employees under one roof. The new facility will enable the health insurer to house 1,000 more employees than it currently has at its Richardson headquarters, and the new offices could eventually house more than 5,000 workers. Construction of the new facility by Koll Development Company is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2007, with move-in anticipated in early 2010. With REDP assistance, several other major companies set up new headquarters in the city in 2006, including MultiGen-Paradigm Inc., which makes 3D visual simulation products; Argo Data Resource Corp., which develops software for the financial services sector; and Automated Circuit Design, which creates printed circuit boards. All three will take advantage of Richardson’s strategic location and supportive corporate environment, bringing jobs and vital tax revenues to our city. Capping 2006 was the prestigious recognition awarded to the REDP by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), which presented its Technology-Based Economic Development Award to the REDP in September. This award recognizes the REDP, a joint effort of the City of Richardson and the Richardson Chamber of Commerce, for its major contributions to critical initiatives that have grown the high-tech business community in Richardson. Overall, the economic development activities resulted in more than 3,100 new or retained jobs announced in Richardson in 2006. Clearly, 2006 marked a banner year for the Richardson Chamber of Commerce and the city. The organization’s outstanding volunteer leadership and staff, as well as other volunteers, citizens, community partners and city officials, all contributed mightily to that success. The Chamber looks forward to celebrating even greater accomplishments in the New Year, with Richard Ramey taking the helm as board chairman for 2007. Action News is a monthly publication of the Richardson Chamber of Commerce Communications Department. To unsubscribe, e-mail administrator@telecomcorridor.com. 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As the Richardson Chamber of Commerce undertakes initiatives to benefit the business community and Richardson citizens in 2007, the organization proceeds with confidence – and with great pride in the previous year’s outstanding achievements.