Jose L. Torres, Public Information Office
214-670-3484

City Council Received Report from the Economic Development Stakeholder Task Force

DALLAS, June 2, 2005 - As part of the City of Dallas’ ongoing efforts to enhance economic development, the City has been involved in a series of new initiatives over the past year. Last fall, McKinsey and company undertook a comprehensive study of the economic development process in Dallas. One recommendation issued by McKinsey and Company was to convene an outside group of private sector stakeholders to examine economic development issues in the City of Dallas. A Task Force was assembled (see attached list) that began meeting in January of this year. The work of the Task Force culminated in a final report of recommendations which were presented to City Council June 1.

A key finding of the Task Force was that Dallas’ economic vitality depends largely on existing business growth, as well as the steady growth of newly formed businesses. The strategies and recommendations put forth in the report were built around the recognition that Dallas is no longer a Sunbelt boomtown and that we need to adjust our economic development strategies accordingly.

The Task Force identified several industry targets with potential for Dallas: Finance; Business and Professional Services; Logistics; and Technology as well as city process changes that will streamline economic development programs and allow for more business input. These recommendations will lead to the formation of a new strategic plan for the Office of Economic Development. The strategic plan will be presented to City Council in August 2005. Heading the Task Force was Karl Zavitkovsky, Managing Director of Commercial Real Estate at the Bank of America. On May 26, 2005 Mr. Zavitkovsky was named the Director of the Office of Economic Development and will be responsible for implementing the recommendations.

The Economic Development Stakeholder Task Force report will become the foundation for the Office of Economic Development’s strategic action plan. For copies of the report, contact Victoria Armstrong in the Office of Economic Development at 214 670-1221.

Economic Development Stakeholder Task Force Members:

Al Salgado, North Texas Small Business Development Center
Arcilia C. Acosta, CARCON Industries & Construction & STL Engineers
Bill Beuck, Independent Real Estate Consultant
Carl Ewert, The Staubach Company
Carl M. Lavallais, Antioch Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church
Cecilia R. Edwards, Foundation for Community Empowerment
Charles O’Neal, Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce
Charles T. Terrell, Unimark Insurance Agency, Inc. & Safer Dallas Better Dallas
Cris Jordan, Republic Center
Donna D. Halstead, Dallas Citizens Council
Eddie Espinosa, La Familia Holdings, Inc.
Fred Conwright, Jr., Two Podners, Inc.
Economic Development, p.3
Henry T. “Hank” Lawson, SouthFair CDC
Jack Wierzenski, Dallas Area Rapid Transit
Jerry Haynes, Jerry Haynes Electric Company
James P. Christon, Christon Company
Jim Reid, Texas Mezzanine Fund
John Loveland, Higher Level Development Corp.
Kenneth H. Townsend, Stanhope Partners
Lee Jackson, University of North Texas System
Ms. Lee McKinney, Retired, JP Morgan Chase & Community Advocate
Linda Owen, The Real Estate Council
Michael Harling, Municipal Capital Markets Group, Inc.
Michael Mendoza, Canadian Consulate General
Mike Rosa, Greater Dallas Chamber
Neal Sleeper, Cityplace Company
J. Peter Kline, Seneca Advisors LLP, & Chairman of Dallas Conv. & Visitors Bureau
Steve Taylor, North Dallas Chamber of Commerce
Wesley D. Ratcliff, W&R Technology & Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce
Dr. Wright L. Lassiter, Jr., El Centro College
Brian Bachman, Ernst & Young
Jim Hobbs, Ernst & Young
Jay Patel, Ernst & Young
Larry Haynes, Ernst & Young

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