Going into the new year, Howard discussed her plans going into her first year as the president, the business community, and what it can expect in the coming year as Frisco continues to grow.
What can the business community look forward to in Frisco?
There's so much to look forward to in Frisco. We’re excited about the development happening in the northern portion of the city and redevelopment coming to other areas, including the Rail District. The speed at which things get accomplished in Frisco, and the standards we all strive for and hold ourselves to are unique. It creates a special culture that’s really helped build the incredible community and growth we’ve experienced so far.
What are your plans going into your first year as the chamber president?
Over the past 50 years, the Frisco Chamber has had remarkable achievements. It's an honor to stand on the shoulders of the visionaries who have thoughtfully created a foundation of excellence. Over the past several months, one of my key focus areas has been meeting with Frisco Chamber members to listen, determine their needs and ensure we have offerings that meet those current needs. As a result of those conversations, which will continue, we’re excited to implement some new programming and advocacy efforts in 2024.
As part of this, we will introduce our Foundation, a 501(c)(3) arm of the Frisco Chamber of Commerce, which will drive many of our initiatives in business education, workforce advancement and support for nonprofit organizations. The Foundation will also provide opportunities for tax-exempt giving. It’s an important step forward in our ability to serve and ensure Frisco remains the best place to do business.
Have you noticed a theme or trends of the types of businesses coming to Frisco?
Perhaps the most obvious answer to this question would be the big-name corporations that have seen how attractive Frisco is and made the leap to relocate here and invest big in Frisco. Those are always exciting, especially when it comes to having more opportunities for our residents to work in the city where they live. Frisco is well-known for tech talent with two times the national average—a big draw for companies, especially in the finance and innovation sectors. We’re also, of course, Sports City USA, and we see many businesses relocating in the sports innovation space. Someone recently said that "winners want to be around winners.” That’s so true and definitely part of our culture.
An additional vital component of "winning" is a vibrant small business sector where entrepreneurs can get started and be surrounded with the support needed to establish and grow their idea into a flourishing business. We’ve seen increased energy around this important component of our business community, and I think we will continue to see that grow in the year to come.
Why are these types of businesses moving to the area?
Frisco is a business-friendly city and a family-friendly city at the same time. Employers need to attract and retain talent in a place people want to live and work, and Frisco not only checks those boxes but exceeds expectations. Our top-rated school district is a major draw for relocating companies. Safety is another crucial part of the equation, and having access to higher education is the icing on the cake.
What is it about Frisco that makes business owners want to open their businesses here?
Our community is top-notch when it comes to partnerships that create a support system for business owners. We lovingly say “Team Frisco” when we refer to everyone who comes to the table to do what it takes to keep this a great community to live, work and do business. "Team Frisco" includes entities like the Frisco Economic Development Corporation, Visit Frisco, the city of Frisco, Frisco Chamber and Frisco ISD, to name a few. The collaboration along with a high energy, can-do approach really is the key to the secret sauce, and the difference-maker.
