email : Webview : DRC Mid-Year Strategic Update: Examples of progress from the first half of 2021

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Dear DRC member,

The first half of 2021 has been busy and productive, as the DRC team has worked hard and smart to represent the interests of the Dallas Region's business community.

This is the first year of our new three-year strategic plan (2021-2023), "Building Tomorrow Together," with a focus on four areas – economic development; education and workforce; public policy; and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

I am proud to share the work our talented team is doing on behalf of our 600 member companies and the more than 500,000 workers they employ. We can't thank you enough for your support. We appreciate the opportunity to work alongside you to continue to make the Dallas Region the best place in American for all people to live, work, and do business.

All my best wishes,

Dale Petroskey
President & CEO
Dallas Regional Chamber

The DRC works closely with our regional and state allies to recruit companies and talent. We focus on companies that bring future technologies and innovation, pay living wages, lift the underserved areas of our region, and make our region a better place for all to live, work, and do business.

Here are a few examples of progress in the first half of 2021:

Corporate moves to the region by Caterpillar, Fortress, Vanguard, and Wiley X
115 corporate recruitment projects, including 24 headquarters, as well as 16 companies considering a Southern Dallas location
Dallas Region ranks first among major metros by recovering 98.6% of pre-pandemic jobs

The success of the Dallas Region and Texas are closely tied to the quality of the workforce and talent pipeline – from early childhood thru K-12 and higher education to a living-wage job or career. The DRC fosters collaboration between the business community, educational institutions, and workforce development organizations to meet the workforce needs of our businesses.

Here are a few examples of progress in the first half of 2021:

During the legislative session in Austin, successfully advocated for investments in higher education, workforce development, and broadband access
Launched Best Place for Working Parents Dallas to recognize the importance of family-friendly workplaces
Joined the largest Texas chambers in a letter to state leaders advocating for release of more than $17B in federal education funding

As the voice of the business community in the Dallas Region, the DRC connects member companies with key stakeholders and elected officials at all levels to advocate for pro-business, pro-growth policies that ensure the continued prosperity of our region while maintaining a high quality of life for all.

Here are a few examples of progress in the first half of 2021:

Led large Texas chambers in advocating for business community representation in statewide police reform efforts
Helped secure initial funding in the 2022-23 state budget for a Dallas Region behavioral health hospital
Hosted several important events with public officials, including Gov. Greg Abbott, U.S. Rep. Beth VanDuyne, and U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh

The DRC is working with businesses and the community to advocate for diversity and equity in leadership, community investment in underserved areas, and transparent and accountable policing and criminal justice policies.

Here are a few examples of progress in the first half of 2021:

Held inaugural State of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion event, strategizing ways to advance equity in the Dallas Region
Launched DEI Leaders Connect community with more than 50 members
Released our DRC Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: A Year of Progress report, highlighting our first year of highly-organized DEI efforts

A common thread through each of the four pillars of our strategic plan is our work to enhance Quality of Life for all who live and work in the Dallas Region.

Here are a few examples of progress in the first half of 2021:

Kicked off the Take Care of Business North Texas vaccine public awareness campaign
Lobbied Gov. Greg Abbott for equitable per capita allocation of COVID-19 vaccines to North Texas
Helped grow Dallas Thrives by hosting industry roundtables, analyzing workforce data, and developing a report of high-priority jobs

Update as of 8/2/2021.

500 N. Akard Street Suite 2600 | Dallas, TX 75201 United States

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