As McKinney continues to grow, the McKinney Chamber of Commerce has launched a new initiative designed to support employers’ recruitment needs while offering community members a new way to get connected with the city.
The initiative, Community Compass presented by Trinity Falls, offers customizable tours of McKinney for prospective employees, relocating families, business partners and anyone interested in learning more about the community. The program aligns with one of the Chamber’s key strategic priorities: strengthening workforce recruitment and retention while reinforcing McKinney’s strong sense of place.
“We believe passionately in our community, and Community Compass gives us the opportunity to share that passion as we welcome people into it,” said Lisa Hermes, President and CEO of the McKinney Chamber of Commerce.
How Community Compass works
Each Community Compass tour begins with a standard route highlighting major destinations across the city, including business districts, schools, neighborhoods, parks and downtown McKinney. From there, tours are tailored to meet the specific interests of participants, based on a short survey that captures priorities such as housing, schools, recreation or professional connections.
“We not only hit the high points of the community, but we can also customize the tour to include people and places that participants are interested in seeing or connecting with,” Hermes said.
Supporting workforce recruitment efforts
The tours are designed to support employers navigating a competitive labor market, where job candidates are increasingly weighing quality of life alongside career opportunities. By partnering with local businesses, the Chamber aims to complement existing recruitment efforts with deeper community context.
“Attracting and retaining talent is a challenge across the nation,” Hermes said. “When people make a decision to relocate for work, there are many factors at play. If we can use our institutional knowledge and our relationships in the community to make connections, we are able to help give our businesses a leg up when recruiting talent to their organizations.”
Open to the broader community
While Community Compass was developed with workforce recruitment in mind, the tours are not limited to employers or corporate partners. Tours are also available on an a la carte basis for individuals, families, realtors and community members who want to better understand McKinney’s neighborhoods, amenities and opportunities.
Hermes said the flexibility of the program allows Community Compass to serve a wide range of audiences, from longtime residents seeking a fresh perspective to newcomers exploring what life could look like in McKinney.
“McKinney has been known for its vibrant culture,” Hermes said. “While we continue to grow, we’ve been able to maintain the strong sense of community that draws people in and helps them plant roots. We want to show just how strong a sense of place is here and help people see themselves living, working and thriving in McKinney.”
Community partnerships and economic development goals
The City of McKinney is supporting Community Compass as the exclusive Welcome Sponsor, viewing the initiative as an extension of its broader goals around economic development and workforce stability.
“Supporting Community Compass aligns with the city’s commitment to creating a strong sense of place and a high quality of life,” said Michelle Feldker, who oversees marketing and branding for the city. “Partnering with the Chamber on this initiative reinforces our investment in welcoming new residents, employees and businesses in a meaningful way.”
Trinity Falls, a master-planned community in McKinney, is serving as the presenting sponsor of the initiative. C’Ella Clayton, director of marketing for Trinity Falls, said the initiative reflects Trinity Falls’ commitment to the McKinney community and aligns with its belief that successful communities are built through connection between employers and employees, residents and neighborhoods, and businesses and the city as a whole.
“These tours move beyond brochures and talking points to show, not just tell, what makes McKinney special,” Clayton said. “When someone can experience the city’s energy, accessibility and intentional design firsthand, it leaves a lasting impression that data alone simply can’t achieve.”
Looking ahead
Transportation for the tours is provided by Black Luxe Transport, with seating for up to 13 passengers in a fully insured vehicle. The Chamber plans to work with employers, realtors and community partners to schedule tours throughout the year.
Hermes said the long-term goal is not only to help businesses recruit talent, but to help newcomers feel connected once they arrive.
“We’re not just citizens in McKinney—we’re neighbors,” Hermes said. “Community Compass helps show what that really means”
Click here to learn more about Community Compass today.
The above story was produced by the McKinney Chamber of Commerce team with Community Impact's Storytelling team, using information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.