Page 77 - FDI Alliance International Magazine Summer 2020 Digital Interactive Issue

modern-day technology, like incorporating clean
office technologies and independent work stations
and automated building amenities that cater to the
COVID-19 safety requirements.

The MEDC's target sector industries are technology
companies, startups, corporate headquarters,
financial services, advanced manufacturing,
and mixed-use developments. It is succeeding
at transforming the region into an innovation
eutopia with a wealth of resources that have made
McKinney an ideal business location.

There is no doubt that companies who invest in
McKinney now will proliferate and expand rapidly
in a pro-business environment reaping a business-
friendly city and State's benefits, securing the
future of their business.

only nine months since its release, the fund has graduated high school (National Average being
averaged nearly five organic, qualified leads per 88% and 33.3% for Colleges and Universities).
month from different parts of the United States;
many of the leads have also come from Texas through "I believe DFW is becoming the next tech hub
its first-of-a-kind online platform and application. in Texas. With that in mind, we've focused
The number of applicants from out of State has our efforts on developing a capability to help
also been steadily increasing, most of them coming spur innovation in economic development
from New York and California. and working with startups. Through this fund,
we're able to predict and analyze our effect
The Innovation Fund has attracted rapidly growing on attracting and creating the next generation
startups such as BlockIt, a health tech SaaS Company, of jobs. We're also able to aggregate real-time
and CourMed, a healthcare technology company data for real estate demand and characterize
with innovative enterprise software for on-demand the fund's performance on meeting targeted Danny Chavez
doorstep delivery service of prescriptions and measures." stated Danny Chavez - Senior
other wellness items. Vice President at MEDC and leader of the Senior Vice President
Innovation Fund. McKinney Economic Development
To date, with organic marketing, the fund has had Corporation
28 qualified applicants' that would relocate or "When you see the jobs figures and average
expand their headquarters to McKinney. These salaries we're working with, considering the F
companies would create 638 new, highly-specialized short amount of time the fund has been in 5900 S Lake Forest Dr, McKinney, TX
technology jobs that do not exist today, over the existence, we see enormous potential in 75070
next three years, with an average salary of $88,000. bolstering our tech ecosystem." - said Chavez.
☎
One of the most valuable and distinctive components Aside from having the workforce in which tech (972) 547-7651
of the Innovation Fund is that the web-based app companies require, one of the other reasons 972-542-0926 | Fax
aggregates real estate demand in real-time and McKinney can attract startups and investors is
provides data to inform investment decisions and its architecture and available undeveloped land. ✉
recruiting speculative office demand. To date, the Having one of the State's largest historic districts, dchavez@mckinneyedc.com
application has generated 121,500 square feet of the city can offer a unique office space style ready
aggregate office demand, 72,500 square feet of to be occupied. The raw land can be acquired at a
uniquemckinneyedc.com
which has come from startup companies. Helping lower cost with the potential of colossal expansion
the MEDC close and fill 22,800 square feet of along with the creative freedom to build unique,
absorption. modern infrastructure.
This strategy aligns perfectly with the city's ability
to provide companies with a highly educated The city's 67.7 mi² of land has allowed modern
available workforce since 45% of its population developers like Kaizen Development Partners to
have a Bachelor's degree or higher, and 92% have begin constructing architecture that integrates

77. FDI ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL