ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIPS

When it comes to attracting and retaining businesses, Irving offers what most cities can't: a community where business growth is fostered through cooperation and partnerships. The city's major stakeholders—both civic and private—work together to keep the city and its businesses healthy and growing.

Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber Economic Development Team.

The Chamber's Economic Development Team knows the city—its businesses, its government, its available sites, its resources. They serve as committed advocates and effective liaisons for both new and existing companies. From site selection through move-in—and beyond, to networking within the business community—the Chamber's Economic Development Team can help pave the way for a successful relocation to Irving or an expansion within it. The Chamber's Economic Development Team is under contract with the City of Irving to market the city and provide economic-development services. The team is the primary coordinator of Irving's economic development initiatives.

The City of Irving.

Irving's mayor, city council and staff work together and with all other members of Irving's Economic Development Partnership to promote quality growth in the city, employing:

  • Forward-thinking abatement policies
  • A creative approach to zoning
  • A point-person for the permitting and construction process
  • An understanding of the role of infrastructure in economic development
Economic Development Partnership Investors.

Few things demonstrate the vitality of Irving's business community as well as its Economic Development Investors. These companies support the City's Economic Development efforts with financial contributions, and in return receive visibility on the Chamber's Web site and in marketing materials given to relocation and expansion prospects. Economic Development Investors also benefit from special briefings on economic development issues and opportunities to meet the leaders of relocating companies.

Economic Development Advisory Council.

The council, whose members include local business leaders, reviews the mission, goals and strategies of the Chamber's Economic Development Team, and provides advice and direction. Members also help with business-retention efforts by making personal calls or visits to Irving companies.

Las Colinas Marketing Alliance.

Dedicated to promoting growth in Las Colinas, Irving's world-renowned master-planned community, the LCMA works closely with the Chamber's Economic Development Team, the Las Colinas Association, the City of Irving and other stakeholders to encourage and sustain quality development.

Technology Leadership Council.

This Chamber-sponsored organization works to attract new technology businesses to Irving by promoting the city as an important tech center with a highly educated workforce. Its programs keep its members apprised of cutting-edge technology innovations.

Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The ICVB promotes Irving as a great place to visit, for business or pleasure. It works with the City and Chamber's Economic Development Team to recruit and retain businesses that may positively affect hotel occupancy and visitor spending. The ICVB is also an important resource for businesses scheduling meetings and conferences. In conjunction with the City of Irving, it is developing the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas, a $137 million, 275,000-square-foot convention center master-planned with a mixed-use entertainment district. The convention center is slated to open in 2010.

The Las Colinas Association.

Las Colinas' quality standards are legendary, and the Las Colinas Association is a primary reason why. This powerful property owners association, which oversees the architectural review process for new Las Colinas developments, is an important part of Irving's economic development landscape.

Dallas County Utility and Reclamation District (DCURD).

Las Colinas' utility district, which constructed and maintains much of the development's infrastructure, grants abatements for its ad valorem taxes on real property for qualifying developments. It participates with the City on various infrastructure projects that have the potential to bring new growth to the area.

Dallas County.

The Chamber's Economic DevelopmentTeam works with Dallas County to identify abatements and advocates for companies that seek them.

Greater Dallas Chamber.

The Irving Chamber's Economic Development Team often works with this regional chamber of commerce to attract relocating companies to Irving. Both chambers share resources to keep the region's business climate strong.

Dallas/Fort Worth Marketing Team.

The Irving Chamber's Economic Development Team is a member of the DFW Marketing Team, a voluntary alliance of economic development organizations in North Texas that markets the D/FW Metroplex as a great place for new businesses. The organization's activities focus on building relationships with corporate real estate executives and site selectors, as well as generating leads.