November 2009

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Chamber Announces Business and Industry 2009 Award Winners

The Richardson Chamber of Commerce will present seven awards to local businesses for their contributions to the economy and community at the 27th Annual Business & Industry Awards Luncheon on Thursday, November 12.  The annual luncheon is again co-hosted by the RCC and the Richardson, Richardson East and Richardson Central Rotary Clubs.

In addition to the Business & Industry Awards, the Rotary Clubs will present the Rotary Ethics Award and the Service Above Self Award at the luncheon.

Sponsored by Frost Bank, the luncheon will take place from 11:15 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Richardson, 701 E. Campbell Road. Doors to the ballroom will open at 11:30 and the program will begin at 11:45.   Information about the luncheon can be found online.

Judges from the RCC, the RCC Signature Luncheon Committee, the Richardson Economic Development Partnership and the three Richardson Rotary Clubs selected this year’s Business & Industry Awards recipients. They are as follows:

  • 2009 Commercial Real Estate Project Award: Eastside project – Greenway Investment Company, Skyrise Properties and Post Properties
    • Given to a Richardson real estate project in office, industrial, retail, transit-oriented development or mixed-use that demonstrates a positive new vitality for the city and has a strong impact on Richardson’s commercial real estate sector. 
    • This extremely successful, $90 million mixed-use development in the heart of the Telecom Corridor® area includes six new restaurants, the only Richardson location of Frost Bank and 450 luxury apartments that are nearly 70 percent leased.  The project is emblematic of the “live, work, play” emphasis designed to attract young professionals to Richardson.

  • 2009 Community Involvement Award: ELCAN Optical Technologies, a Raytheon Company
    • Presented to a business that has consistently, over a number of years, contributed financial resources and personal time to Richardson-specific charitable, educational, civic and social organizations and causes.
    • ELCAN Optical has established an active partnership with Richardson ISD’s Math, Science & Technology Magnet Elementary School to interest more students in math, science and engineering careers.  ELCAN has also encouraged other technology companies to establish similar partnerships with local schools, with a goal of 100 partnerships by 2010.

  • 2009 Environmental Award (new award this year): RichlandCollege
    • Given to a business or organization for a sustainable and “green” initiative(s) that is effective and/or innovative and/or can be replicated.
    • A signatory of the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, Richland College has joined hundreds of other institutions across the U.S. in taking bold actions in pursuit of climate neutrality.  Richland is committed to achieving LEED certification on all new buildings, in addition to retrofitting existing buildings for greater energy efficiency.  Among other efforts, the college’s LEED Gold-built Garland Campus opened this summer, and the school’s new science facility opens in Jan. 2010 and is on track to be certified LEED Platinum, which will make it one of the first science laboratory facilities to achieve this highest-level LEED certification.

  • 2009 International Business Award: DFW Chinatown
    • Presented to a foreign-owned or ethnic-related business in Richardson that has given significant support and/or provided significant economic investments in the community or job creation.
    • DFW Chinatown is an 80,700-square-foot shopping center at 400 N. Greenville Ave. in Richardson.  Originally built in 1965, it is 100 percent leased with 11 restaurants, a large Asian grocery store and the Dallas Chinese Community Center.  The center brings significant recognition to Richardson’s diverse, international community and provides cultural amenities that are highly attractive to the many global companies doing business in Richardson.

  • 2009 Newcomer Business Award: Twin Rivers Senior Living
    • Given to a business that has located in Richardson since January 1, 2008, and has had a significant impact on the community either through economic investments, community visibility and support or other unique contributions.
    • Richardson-based co-developers Mike Cole and Mike Thompson developed the Twin Rivers Senior Living facility on the site of the former Twin Rivers Amusement Park, offering a high-quality community for seniors seeking an active, luxurious lifestyle.  As part of the development, Cole and Thompson contributed six acres of the property to the City of Richardson for the development of hike-and-bike trails that will connect to other city-operated trails, providing a great quality of life amenity for Twin Rivers residents and the surrounding neighborhood.

  • 2009 Public/Non-Profit/Educational Award: The University of Texas at Dallas
    • Presented to a public sector or non-profit entity, or an educational institution or unit thereof for its impact and distinguished service to the businesses and citizens of Richardson as evidenced by a recent achievement milestone.
    • UT Dallas’ recent accomplishments include successful legislative efforts to gain significant funding towards achieving Tier One research university status, its opening of the first new student residence hall, a major landscape transformation project and its commitment to a $500 million building and construction program.  UT Dallas’ UTeach program, which encourages students to become math and science teachers, was also honored this year with a Tech Titan of the Future Award by the Metroplex Technology Business Council.  UT Dallas also recently secured research grants totaling over $25 million for Texas Analog Research and other Texas Emerging Technology Fund awards, and the university is the new home of a consortium dedicated to technological advances in the silicon wafer.

  • 2009 Richardson Loyalty Award: Owens Foods
    • Presented to a business for its longevity in Richardson (minimum 10 years) or for renewing its commitment to a Richardson presence when there was a choice to move.
    • Owens Foods has been a part of Richardson for over 100 years and is widely reputed for its high-quality sausage products.  The company’s presence in Richardson includes the Owens Foods Museum and Owens Spring Creek Farm, which hosts thousands of visitors annually, and the company has long been a leader in supporting the Richardson Chamber and other community causes.
Action News is a monthly publication of the Richardson Chamber of Commerce Communications Department.

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Richardson, Texas 75080-5297

 

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