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Southern Dallas is Ripe for Education, Development, Infrastructure Improvement
DALLAS – Dallas-area business investors, developers and brokers should take a hard look at investing in Southern Dallas, according to Dr. John Ellis Price, vice provost of the University of North Texas Dallas Campus. Price made the remark during the second annual Southern Dallas County Economic Development Conference Nov. 2 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Duncanville.
About 130 North Texas-area business leaders, elected officials, real estate developers and economic development directors joined Price and newly elected Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert to discuss how new development south of the Trinity River has the potential to propel Southern Dallas to become a ‘hot spot’ for urban growth and business opportunity.
“The purpose of the economic development conference is to provide subject matter experts regarding topics that demonstrate that Southern Dallas County is a good region to invest and develop,” said Price. “The future UNT Dallas will be ready to meet the demand by providing a qualified labor pool.”
Price said special ‘niche’ programs at UNT Dallas, scheduled to open in fall 2009 as the first public university within Dallas’ city limits, will reflect the unique needs of the industries that surround it, and provide competitive advantages for companies seeking specialized talent —and for students who are seeking employment.
“The addition of our new bachelor’s program in logistics and supply chain management is in direct response to the creation of Prologis Park 20/35 and the Dallas Logistics Hub (Inland Port),” Price said.
According to Price, a new UNT Dallas Institute of Environmental and Urban Studies could be online as early as fall 2008. The institute will serve as a growth engine for Southern Dallas by developing partnerships with businesses, corporations, and organizations to help resolve transportation, education, work and environmental issues within the region.
“Economic development within Dallas’ southern sector is vital for Dallas,” said Leppert, who provided the keynote address. “Until we have a successful Southern Dallas, we will never have a cohesive city. It is the right thing to do.”
Leppert said UNT Dallas and the Inland Port are good examples of how we can expand opportunities to improve the southern sector.
“UNT Dallas will provide opportunities to people in an affordable way. Higher education is so important because it breeds jobs,” said Leppert.
“There is no other place in the nation where more roads and rails intersect,” said Leppert speaking about the location of the Inland Port. The 234,000-acre development located in 12 municipalities will be supported by two Class I railroads, a cargo-capable airport, existing and proposed intermodal developments and five interstate highways.
Leppert said Southern Dallas is building the infrastructure. Now it needs new investments, new economic priorities, and a ‘business-friendly’ attitude.
The UNT Dallas Campus and the Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce co-sponsored the conference, along with the economic development offices of Cedar Hill, Dallas, Desoto, Duncanville and Lancaster. For their support, cooperation and sponsorship, Price announced that he will name a $1,000 scholarship for each city to be awarded to one of its residents during the 2008-09 fiscal year.
The UNT Dallas Campus, which operates under the authority of the University of North Texas in Denton, currently offers junior-, senior- and graduate-level courses leading to bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. Once freestanding, the University of North Texas Dallas will begin recruiting its first freshman class for admission in fall 2009.
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