Investors, developers, and companies looking to relocate or grow now have a new data tool available for getting the latest information on opportunities in Southern Dallas County. The new website—available here—provides everything from land use details to wage and salary profiles and info on significant employers in the region.
The real star of the site, though, is an interactive development platform that marries the chamber’s mapping expertise with data with the latest news stories by local business journalists. “The purpose of the map is to showcase all the development that is actually already occurring in Southern Dallas County,” says Duane Dankesreiter, vice president of business information and research for the Dallas Regional Chamber. “This is part of dispelling the myths the Chamber’s Southern Dallas Committee has often discussed.”
Although the Chamber has long been active in Southern Dallas County, the committee was formed about 18 months ago with the goal of taking a more proactive approach. The group’s activities complement Mayor Rawlings’ Growth South initiative for the City of Dallas, but also extends its reach to other regions and cities of Southern Dallas County. The committee, which has about 30 members, is led by Chairman Randy Bowman, president of MW Logistics LLC, and Vice Chairman Kelvin Walker, managing partner of 21st Century Group LLC.
Committee members quickly realized that the first order of business was marketing—creating awareness of Southern Dallas County and all it has to offer, from its low taxes and cost of doing business to land opportunities, transportation infrastructure, and neighborhoods. The site breaks the story down into five main components:
• Why Southern Dallas. This “elevator pitch” page provides quick snapshots on everything from typical lease rates for commercial space to population statistics.
• Significant Employers. A diverse group of household names such as L’Oréal, Walmart, Lockheed Martin, Kohl’s, AT&T and Whirlpool have established operations in Southern Dallas County. This detailed map provides a broad look at where the region’s major employers are based.
• Land Use Map. Southern Dallas County has more than 125,000 acres of undeveloped land, providing a wealth of choices for commercial investment across all sectors. This map provides land-use specifics and current status, as well as proximity to infrastructure and amenities.
• Logistics Map. The DFW region is known as one of the top distribution markets in the United States, and Southern Dallas is a big reason why. This map shows the location of major industrial parks in the region, as well as major roadways and the Dallas County Inland Port. A sidebar provides information on logistics certificates and degrees offered by area colleges.
• Wages and Salary Profiles. Median wages and salaries in the Dallas–Fort Worth region generally track below national levels, thanks to Texas’ pro-business labor environment and low taxes. This page provides salary, labor pool, insurance, and other employment statistics for a variety of occupations.
• Interactive Development Map. Details on office, industrial, and multifamily projects under construction or planned in Southern Dallas County. Many of the projects include links to news reports that provide more details. The links are updated as new stories appear in local newspapers or news sites.
Now that the marketing need has been addressed, Dankesreiter says the committee will shift its focus to recruitment. “We’re looking at companies that might be a good fit for Southern Dallas County, the supply chains of companies that are here and how they connect to suppliers from outside the region,” he says. “We have a great case to make, and a great committee to help us do so.”
See the Winter edition of the Dallas-Fort Worth Real Estate Review, produced in collaboration between the Dallas Regional Chamber, The Real Estate Council, and D Magazine Partners, for a breakdown of neighborhoods and districts Southern Dallas County.
