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McKinney #5 on Money Magazine “Best Places to Live” list

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 22:05:11 GMT

McKINNEY, TEXAS (July 12, 2010) – In the August issue of Money Magazine, McKinney ranked # 5 on the Best Places to Live in the country. McKinney is the only Texas city in the top 10.

Money editors and writers look at employment, schools, crime and safety, economy and overall quality of life aspects to come up with the list. According to the listing, McKinney’s Historic Downtown and hometown spirit set the city apart from the rest.

“Lots of towns near Dallas have low crime, affordable homes, and good jobs; McKinney is no exception. What makes it stand out is its gem of a downtown…Though McKinney has grown like mad over the past decade, you'd never suspect it when driving through its tree-filled communities surrounded by ponds, parks, and hiking trails.” Money Magazine

To see the ranking, click here.

To see the video accompanying the article, click here.

“This is an incredible honor, but it doesn’t surprise anyone who lives in McKinney. We know how special our city is and why so many people love living here,” said Interim City Manager Rick Chaffin. “McKinney’s unique character is the result of careful city planning that preserves its historic neighborhoods and natural environment while the city continues to grow.

“Our community stands out because it has the whole package - diversified businesses, quality-of-life amenities, natural open spaces, entertainment options, and one-of-a-kind residential developments that keep our hometown charm alive.”

McKinney debuted on the list at #14 in 2008. Money Magazine ranked only cities with populations below 50,000 in 2009. Recent Census numbers also designate McKinney as the third-fastest growing city in the country from 2008 to 2009.

MEDC hosts TexasOne Recruitment Mission, Board Meeting

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 20:52:22 GMT

McKinney Economic Development Corporation hosted the TexasOne board meeting and recruitment mission, June 23, in Dallas. City of McKinney Mayor Brian Loughmiller and City Councilman David Brooks participated in the event.

Jessica Renier, Senior Economic Analyst and Coordinator of Economic and Financial Analysis for the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, provided an overview of the economy but reaffirmed a positive outlook for the Texas economy.

“Texas has a better business climate and lower cost of living than the rest of the country. Home prices did not fall in the southwest like they did in other parts of the country,” she said.

As the major source of economic development marketing funds for the State of Texas, TexasOne has directly enabled strategic economic development outreach at the state level.

In McKinney, state funds were used to finalize the negotiations that resulted in the corporation relocation of Torchmark from Alabama as well as a major relocation of a Raytheon division to McKinney from California.

“Our relationship with the governor’s office strengthens our exposure and negotiating power on a national and global scale, “said David Pitstick, CEO for McKinney Economic Development Corporation.

Morning break-out sessions included national site selectors from PricewaterhouseCoopers; CresaPartners; MAXIMUS Alliance; Binswanger; Site Selection Group; and Deloitte Tax LLP.

Pictured (L to R): Aaron Demerson, Director of Economic Development, Texas Governor's Office; Jessica; McKinney Mayor Brian Loughmiller; McKinney Councilman David Brooks; MEDC board member Marta Gore; and, MEDC board Vice-Chair Keith Clifton.

Mayor Presents on Governor's Panel at World Expo

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 17:22:31 GMT

View Gov. Rick Perry's Salute to McKinney

McKINNEY – McKinney Mayor Brian Loughmiller joined Gov. Rick Perry, State Comptroller Susan Combs, Texas Secretary of State Hope Andrade and representatives from DFW Airport, Texas Instruments and the cities of Houston, Dallas, Corpus Christi, and Brownsville to present at the ‘Invest in Texas” seminar June 15 in Shanghai. More than 130 Chinese business leaders attended the invitation-only event.

“China is the fastest-growing major economy in the world, and foreign direct investment from Asia and the Pacific accounted for over $13.8 billion in Texas in 2009. McKinney is well positioned with easy access to major markets, plentiful land for development and an international business aviation airport with on-site U.S. customs,” said Mayor Loughmiller.

“We are honored that the Governor, the Texas Department of Economic Development and Tourism, and TexasOneSM would include McKinney in such a prestigious panel where we will have the opportunity to highlight the many benefits of McKinney and the Collin County region,” he said.

Following the seminar, the McKinney delegation – including Loughmiller and McKinney Economic Development CEO David Pitstick -- hosted a reception for an additional 35 business leaders. According to Loughmiller, company executives traveled to Shanghai to learn about specific investment opportunities in McKinney . The McKinney delegation traveled to Shenzhen later in the week to tour the corporate headquarters of one of the companies represented at the reception.

As part of the Texas delegation, McKinney representatives also attended in the “Doing Business in China ” seminar, where they had the opportunity to interact with Chinese and state officials involved in commercial trade. According to state officials, China ranked third as an export destination in 2009 with almost $8.9 billion in Texas exports.

“With the North Texas branch of the Export-Import Bank located in McKinney , our local businesses have access to the help they need to sell their goods in China as well as other foreign markets,” Loughmiller said. “This trip provides a great opportunity to form business alliances and strengthen McKinney ’s positioning in an ever-expanding global marketplace.”

Craig Ranch Announces Traxxas As First Corporate Headquarters

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 15:54:47 GMT

(McKinney, TX) Craig Ranch announced today that Traxxas (traxxas.com), the leader in hobby-class radio controlled cars, trucks and boats, will relocate its corporate headquarters, research and development functions and distribution from Plano to McKinney, Texas. The announcement marks the first headquarter company to move to Craig Ranch following the unveiling of its $575 million employment district and partnership with KDC last month.

"Traxxas was first across the finish line to see that Craig Ranch has all the components companies are looking for in a headquarters: prime location, access to DFW Airport and quality of life amenities," said David Craig, master developer of Craig Ranch. "There were a lot of moving parts to this deal and I applaud and thank the City of McKinney and the Economic Development Corporation for their help in bringing Traxxas to Craig Ranch."

Plans call for Traxxas to build a $12-15 million, 160,000 to 200,000 square foot campus-style office complex on 12 acres at the northwest corner of Sam Rayburn SH121 Tollway and Stacy Road. A retail component is also planned as well as test facilities and race tracks with public access.

"We have spent the past three years looking for the right place to relocate the corporate headquarters of Traxxas," said Michael S. Jenkins, owner and president of Traxxas. "We immediately saw the value of being part of the Craig Ranch master plan and the City of McKinney provides a lot of attraction in its diverse talent pool of people. We have been welcomed warmly by the City and are proud that they are able to appreciate the value of what our business and our sport will bring to the community."

Jenkins added that the adjacency of the Traxxas campus to the athletic fields was valuable because families visiting the ball fields will also have the opportunity to drive radio controlled cars and trucks and compete on the race tracks.

Traxxas will initially move 100 employees in 2011, whose average salary is over $60,000. Jenkins says another 50 employees will be added by 2013. Craig Ranch gave $500,000 in infrastructure and incentives to Traxxas, the McKinney EDC gave $400,000 and the City of McKinney plans to grant tax abatements of approximately $280,000 for the project pending approval at the June 15 council meeting.

"We are excited that Traxxas has chosen McKinney for the expansion of its new corporate headquarters and facilities," said McKinney Mayor Brian Loughmiller. "Traxxas also has an exemplary history of community involvement and support, and we look forward to Traxxas becoming an involved corporate citizen in our community."

KDC is the construction manager of the project. Construction should begin later this year and will be complete by the end of 2011.

Craig Ranch is located within 30 minutes of DFW Airport and six miles from Collin County Regional Airport. It sits along a nearly two-mile stretch of the 12-lane Sam Rayburn SH121 Tollway with three full on/off interchanges that connect directly to the site. Craig Ranch has unique amenities including the TPC Craig Ranch golf course and the Cooper Fitness Center. More information on the Employment District can be found at craigranchcommercial.com.

McKinney leaders head to China for Shanghai World Expo

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 12:59:12 GMT

Cutter Aviation to consolidate metro-area operations to location at Collin County Regional Airport

Tue, 04 May 2010 16:32:25 GMT

MEDC is providing incentives for this project.

A leading provider of aviation services in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex area since 2002, Cutter Aviation has finalized a plan to consolidate all metro-area operations to Cutter Aviation’s growing North Dallas location in McKinney, Texas, at Collin County Regional Airport (TKI). The consolidation will move all aircraft maintenance and technical services operations from their current location at Dallas Executive Airport (RBD) in South Dallas to a new facility in McKinney later this summer, joining Cutter Aviation’s current fuel and line service, new and pre-owned aircraft sales and air charter departments already in operation at Cutter Aviation McKinney.

"This is a fantastic growth opportunity for both Cutter Aviation and Collin County Regional Airport in McKinney" said Steven Prieser, Vice President and CFO for Cutter Aviation. "Many of our customers live and work in the growing area in North Dallas, easily connected by Highway 75 and this consolidation brings a convenient, full-service Fixed-Based Operator (FBO) facility to McKinney for the first time to better serve them."

As part of the transition, Cutter Aviation’s Factory Authorized Aircraft Service Center certifications for Piper Aircraft, Daher-Socata TBM and Hawker Beechcraft will also be part of the move to McKinney as well as Authorized Service & Installation Center certifications for Pratt & Whitney Canada, Teledyne-Continental, Raisbeck Engineering, BLR Winglets and Blackhawk Modifications.

"We are proud to say that our experienced team of technicians, inspectors and administrators will be making the move to McKinney with us," said Dennis Constantine, Director of Cutter Aviation Technical Services. "The same great service and the same great people that our customers know and trust will be there in McKinney as they were at Dallas Executive."

Because of the consolidation decision, Cutter Aviation has also sold its fuel and line services business at Dallas Executive Airport to The Jet Center of Dallas. The Jet Center of Dallas took over these operations on May 4, 2010. Cutter Aviation Aircraft Service will remain in operation as a tenant of the Jet Center of Dallas at that location until our new facility in McKinney is ready for occupancy in late Summer.

"We’re still 100 percent open for all aircraft maintenance and service at Cutter Aviation Dallas Executive, and will remain so until the new shop in McKinney is ready for us," said Marty Sisk, Service Manager at Cutter Aviation Dallas. "We’re going to work very hard to make the move as easy as possible for our customers and expect only a short pause in active work when the actual move takes place later this summer."

Cutter Aviation encourages current and future service customers as well as anyone in the aviation community to sign up online for the email mailing list of regular updates on the status of the transition and the progress of the new facility through the summer. The website address to do so is: http://www.cutteraviation.com/dallas-update.

About Cutter Aviation
Founded in 1928 by William P. Cutter, Cutter Aviation is a full-service aviation company, offering aircraft fueling, maintenance and avionics solutions, aircraft charter and aircraft sales and management. Serving the business aviation industry, Cutter has operations at eight major airports in Arizona (Phoenix, Deer Valley and Phoenix, Sky Harbor), New Mexico (Albuquerque), Colorado (Colorado Springs) and Texas (Dallas, El Paso, McKinney and San Antonio). The company is a member of the Pinnacle Air Network, National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), and the National Air Transportation Association (NATA). Cutter is the oldest continuously family-owned and operated FBO (Fixed Base Operation) with over 82 years of serving the General & Commercial aviation industry.

Mayor, MEDC Board Chair Honor Top Real Estate Brokers

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 18:54:53 GMT

McKinney Mayor Brian Loughmiller(r) and McKinney Economic Development (MEDC) Board Chair Stan McWilliams(l) served as honoree presenters last week at Dallas Business Journal’s Heavy Hitters event honoring top real estate brokers.

The event was sponsored by the Collin County Regional Partnership, a collaborative effort between MEDC, Allen EDC, Frisco EDC and the Plano Economic Development Board.

A total of 209 brokers in eight categories were nominated. The winners were:

John Brewer, CB Richard Ellis - Industrial Project Leasing
Jack Fraker, CB Richard Ellis - Investment Property Sales
Jeff Kittleson, CB Richard Ellis - Retail
Mark Miller, NAI Robert Lynn - Industrial Tenant Rep
Stephanie Richardson Thompson, GVA Cawley – Rookie of the Year
Matt Schendle, Cousins Properties - Office Project Leasing
Jay Wagley, CB Richard Ellis - Investment Banking
Michael Wyatt, Cushman & Wakefield of Texas - Office Tenant Rep

The respective mayors and economic development board representatives of Allen, Frisco and Plano also participated.

The partnership was formed in 2005 to market the assets of Collin County which include a highly educated workforce, top schools, recreational venues, corporate headquarters, outstanding airport and quality of life.

Business Solutions 2010: Optimizing Resources for Today's Economy

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 16:37:41 GMT

McKinney wants Google!

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:53:08 GMT

For More Information, Please Call:

Anna Folmnsbee

City of McKinney

afolmnsb@mckinneytexas.org

972-547-7525

City enters ring to fight for Google test of ultra high-speed network

McKINNEY, TEXAS (March 8, 2010) – Across the city, residents, organizations, leaders and businesses are working together to lure one of the biggest companies in technology to McKinney. Google is searching for “test” communities in which to launch ultra-high speed broadband networks, and all of McKinney is out to prove why it is the best city for the pilot program.

To be a part of the pool of applicants, McKinney will fill out an extensive Request for Information (RFI) and launch an aggressive marketing and communications campaign to get the community involved. The RFI submission is due on March 26.

“This initiative would impact our community, our lives and our businesses. Just by mobilizing so many community organizations so quickly with a single goal in mind for the good of the entire city, we have reached a tremendous level of success. This is more than just filling out a form. We are out to show Google why McKinney is so special and unique from other cities that residents move here in record number. We have continually been one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, and only a network as fast as Google’s can keep up with our pace,” said Mayor Brian Loughmiller.

The Google technology will deliver Internet speeds more than 100 times faster than what most Americans have access to today, over 1 gigabit per second, fiber-to-home and business connections. Together with community organizations like the Chamber of Commerce, McKinney Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), McKinney Convention & Visitors Bureau (MCVB) and others, the city is working to engage businesses and residents to convince Google that McKinney is the ultimate place for their test.

“There are many, many applications for this service in McKinney. It would serve as a huge driver of economic development, help support and enhance public safety, impact health care and education, and even add to the quality of life for our residents. McKinney residents are excited about it, city leaders are excited about it, and it’s a win-win for McKinney and Google,” said Chamber of Commerce Director Jodi LaFreniere.

For residents, the technology can improve quality of life, help public safety, and provide a huge benefit for businesses currently in our community as well as adding tremendous incentive for other businesses to locate in McKinney.

A key component to the process is promotion. Today the groups launched a campaign to raise community awareness and encourage involvement. It centers on the altered city logo with the tagline “Google in McKinneyTX: Moving at the speed of McKinney,” which plays on the city’s consistent ranking among the fastest-growing cities in the country.

“We are calling on residents to join in this exciting opportunity. This is a community-wide effort, and everyone's participation will play a role in making sure that Google takes notice of McKinney,” said Deputy City Manager Jim Parrish.

Residents can visit http://www.google.com/appserve/fiberrfi, click ‘Get Involved’ then nominate McKinney for the process by filling out the short form, which only takes a few minutes. The city is using the official McKinney Facebook fan page, www.facebook.com/mckinneytx, as a gathering place for ideas, creative placements of Google in the community and as the central point for information on the campaign.

As an example of how residents can creatively express enthusiasm for Google’s new network, a video was posted on McKinney’s YouTube channel and on Facebook featuring images of speed and man-on-the-street interviews about why Google fits into the town. Residents are challenged to create their own videos and post them to the city’s Facebook fan page using the tagline created for the RFI, “Google in McKinneyTX: Moving at the speed of McKinney.”

The Google-centric city logo serves as a temporary substitute on several city photos thanks to some editing with Photoshop, and the photos will be posted on Facebook with another challenge to residents to see if they can “see Google” other places in McKinney. Or they can print the logo from the Facebook fan page and take a photo with it in their favorite McKinney destination to later share with fellow residents. Anyone wishing to participate can visit the Facebook page for instructions and details.

Simpson Strong-Tie wins the 2010 MEDC Corporate Performance Award

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:49:44 GMT

Simpson Strong-Tie has been awarded the 2010 MEDC Corporate Performance Award for its exceptional stewardship and contribution to the local economy since expanding to McKinney in 1983.

Vice President Phil Burton accepted the award on behalf of the company at the McKinney Chamber Community Awards Celebration in February.

Simpson Strong-Tie first opened the McKinney branch to manage its Southeast United States markets as well as export markets throughout the Caribbean and in Latin America. Since then, the McKinney facility has become the most productive and most revenue producing of Simpson’s five North American profit centers. In 2005, Simpson decided to expand the McKinney plant by doubling its size with a new 328,000 sf building.

“It made sense to stay here, “said Burton. “Our workers love McKinney and many have refused promotions if it meant leaving the city. We’ve even had many employees transfer to McKinney because of the cost of living and attractive lifestyle.”

Simpson Strong-Tie, based in Pleasanton, California is the world’s largest structural connector company. It is a national partner with Habitat for Humanity and provides funding, labor and support of Habitat’s North Collin County Division. The company is also active in other local organizations including Community Lifeline Center, Volunteer McKinney, McKinney Chamber of Commerce, Samaritan Inn, and the North Texas Women’s Shelter.