Check out three recent updates from Allen City Council, including Allen officials' priorities for the 2027 Texas Legislature and a business seeking a state grant.
Kalahari, school funding among priorities for Allen’s leaders in 2027 legislative session
School funding, infrastructure and a Texas Qualified Hotel Project are among Allen officials' priorities for the 2027 Texas Legislature, which begins in January.
Members of Allen City Council, the Allen ISD board of trustees and the Allen Chamber of Commerce outlined goals for the 2027 Texas legislative session at an Oct. 29 meeting. Allen City Council approved its list of six priorities during an Oct. 27 meeting.
The city of Allen’s six priorities are:
Kalahari/the Texas Qualified Hotel Project
Protecting fiscal capacity and essential services
Preserving locally accountable decision-making
Supporting public safety and community resilience
Partnering on infrastructure and long-term sustainability
Supporting strong local schools
Jack Henry and Associates seeks to invest over $5M in Allen campus with state grant
Information technology services company Jack Henry and Associates could invest over $5 million and bring 10 additional full-time jobs to its Allen campus if granted state funds.
Allen City Council unanimously approved nominating Jack Henry and Associates for a grant from the Texas Enterprise Zone Program at an Oct. 27 meeting.
Founded in Missouri in 1976, Jack Henry and Associates provides IT solutions for small banks and financial institutions, said Dan Bowman, president and CEO of the Allen Economic Development Corp.
The business has been operating in Allen for nearly 30 years and has two locations—an office space for personnel at 1021 S. Central Expressway and a data center at 816 Allen Commerce Parkway, per city documents.
Allen officials invest $7M in aging infrastructure
Allen officials have spent more than $7 million this calendar year to repair aging roads and sidewalks, including $2.2 million for work in two of the city’s older neighborhoods.
More than 60% of Allen’s roughly 110 neighborhoods are at least 25 years old, Mayor Chris Schulmeister said. The infrastructure investments are expected to enhance resident quality of life while also preventing more expensive repairs in the future through regular maintenance, city officials said.
“City leaders understand the critical importance of staying out in front of aging infrastructure so that we don’t encounter costly problems down the road,” Schulmeister said in an email.
The community's age and having less than 8% of undeveloped land left has prompted Allen leaders to shift focus toward reinvesting in city assets, Allen City Manager Eric Ellwanger said.
