Frisco near top in population growth

Frisco City Manager George Purefoy feels the city's No. 2 spot on the recent Census list is an interest-builder for business and industry.

"It puts you on the radar for retail business and restaurants you might not be on the radar for otherwise, and as far as seeking additional business development, especially office and corporate relocations," Purefoy said. "I think it's a positive there. People see others are moving here and it helps solidify the opinion that it must be a good place to move to."

It's all according to the city's plan, and Purefoy credits the quality of the school district and the community's location for its successes.

"We don't see (the growth) as abnormal," Purefoy said. "Frankly, we've been planning for it for years and have been experiencing this type of growth for years."

Tony Felker, Frisco Chamber of Commerce president, attributes the growth to 50-plus years of good planning and a pro-business climate that has also encouraged growth in residents' quality of life.

When Felker got to Frisco in 1997, it was hovering around 16,000 people. To see it grow to where it is today in less than 20 years is still no surprise, he said.

"This is just the results of what's been put in place," Felker said. "It's a combination of the vision with the master plan, the community partners working together, the quality of education and the school district—you mix all the ingredients, put the cake in the oven and when it comes out, it's not a surprise."

He points to the annexations of areas near FM 423, SH 121, Custer Road and U.S. 380 as key in the community's history of foresight in development and planning during the past 50 years.

"[City leaders have] been able to see this coming, and have been working hard on putting together the key pieces that result in quality neighborhoods," Felker said. "Our task now is to ensure quality of life, education, [that] businesses continue growing and to make sure it's a quality place to live 50 years from now."

Estimates put build-out for Frisco at up to 25 years away, with an ultimate population in the ballpark of 350,000 people. Until then, focusing on maintaining a pro-business atmosphere while prioritizing education initiatives and quality of life will be key in maintaining momentum, Felker said.

From the chamber's perspective, advocacy efforts that touch small-, medium- and large-business development are important considerations that are constantly evaluated and discussed, Felker said.

"How can we offer services and value to all sides of the business community?" Felker said. "For the people coming in, how do we connect them to local business and keep those businesses growing? We're looking to make certain we can touch all businesses in the community."

He said 80 percent of local job growth is in the small-to-medium-sized business world in Frisco, making every effort to grow local firms by even one to two employees annually a major priority.

"We're not surprised by this, but we're not going to take it for granted, either," Felker said. "We want to make sure we keep working on the master plan and focusing on the needs of business. As soon as you take the foot off the pedal and start to coast, you start to slow down. We don't want to do that."

The business community sees big things coming in the Dallas North Tollway development zone, Felker said, and he predicts the next two years will create a boom much like the arrival of Stonebriar Center in 2000.

"I think we'll look back and think, 'Man, 2015–16: That's when Frisco went to a whole new level,'" Felker said.

Marla Roe, who leads the Frisco Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the recognition in the latest Census figures can serve as an introduction of sorts to those unfamiliar with Frisco, and reach farther than the CVB can otherwise afford to reach.

"National recognitions like this coming out can create a tendency for people to look up your city," Roe said. "That's kind of your first opportunity to get exposure where you may not have the financial power to get that kind of exposure. When something like this comes out, you start getting emails from people who are looking into the area, and they can see all the wonderful things that are happening in Frisco."