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60 X 80: IN YOUR 20 YEARS WITH THE CITY certainly goes beyond K-12. This 60 X 80: THE GROWTH IN THE NORTHERN
OF PLANO, WHAT CHANGES HAVE YOU SEEN region has an enormous workforce
THAT STAND OUT? that comes from all of the higher SUBURBS HAS BEEN SO AMAZING; LET'S
education institutions throughout
Bane: Initially, Plano’s growth North Texas. Plano has that, as do TALK ABOUT THE GROWING DENSITY.
strategy was based on a cluster many of our neighbors in Collin
complex; we relied on companies County. There is a pipeline of Bane: I think that Plano has been
in similar industries that would college graduates who come from mindful of the obligation to think
capitalize on the strength of the these 25 universities in the region, ahead. That certainly was true
community. This cluster was who then supply a lot of those about things as fundamental as
primarily telecom and information entry-level, very talented, very infrastructure. So, did we anticipate
services. smart workers that our companies we would need to create more
are seeking. dense clusters for people to live in?
Since then, we have broadened I think we assumed that it would be
business sectors represented in necessary to provide people with
Plano. We have done this very the opportunity to live, work and
purposefully in an effort to insulate play within a reasonable distance.
the community from any economic
downturns that any one sector 60 X 80: WHEN ATTRACTING COMPANIES 60 X 80: TRAFFIC IS WHAT IMMEDIATELY
might experience. So, today we TO THIS REGION, WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO COMES TO MIND.
are very diverse; our industries are THEM?
spread across a number of sectors “Traoffficsuicscaesssy.m”ptom
so we are somewhat insulated from Bane: There are fundamental things
any industry related or any business that any project looks for, but there Bane: The city is wrapping up a
related downturns. are always unique critical elements mobility study in concert with
of the decision for them. So NTTA, TX DOT and a number
60 X 80: WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST although it can vary considerably of existing and future employers
INDUSTRIES IN PLANO NOW? from project to project on a large and also a few cities surrounding
list of things, fundamental for most us. Traffic is a symptom of success.
Bane: One of our biggest strengths is searches is the ability to attract and We know it is part and parcel to the
in business and professional services retain a high quality workforce. fantastic opportunity that some of
- 19-20% of our employment Plano does a great job in that. We
centers around that. We are have a highly educated citizenry these corporate campuses are
very thrilled with that because bringing us. I think the city
projections indicate that this “Fundamental for most is looking for ways right now
business sector will grow a to help increase mobility, and
little over 3% year after year searches is the ability to that study is not quite finished.
the next 10 years. So we have a They are wrapping up some of
high concentration of business attract and retain a high the points on it.
and professional services, as
well as a lot of opportunity for quality workforce, and However, what is really
growth in that sector, and that interesting is that it is not just
has helped us really appeal to a Plano does a great job.” a public obligation to address
number of companies in many mobility. Companies are as
different industries because they with about 55% having a bachelor’s concerned as government is about
are all seeking that highly skilled, degree, and quite frankly, many of getting people where they need
talented and professional business them have advanced degrees. That to be, and for those companies
workforce. is also similar to the communities that means getting them to their
around us, because Plano actually place of business and to their jobs.
60 X 80: WHAT ROLE DOES EDUCATION imports employees from outside our So, some of them are looking at
PLAY IN THE GROWTH OF THE BUSINESS city limits. By definition we are the creative ways in which to help their
FORCE AND HOW DOES IT AFFECT THE opposite of a "bedroom community" people achieve that. That may
ABILITY TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN TALENT? because we import employees to include some unique carpooling
work in this community as opposed opportunities; it may include some
Bane: A good qualified and to a "bedroom community" which special coaches that are private and
talented workforce starts with a sends employees away during the designated coming from pockets
really excellent K-12 system, but it day. of employee concentrations and
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