Here’s what makes Frisco so alluring to California, West Coast transplants
Texas has attracted many high profile corporations from California and other west coast states in recent years, with Frisco and other cities in North Texas competing for corporate flags.
Texas public education, lower tax rates and house prices, better air quality and lower homelessness are some of the reasons Californians might move to the state, researchers from the University of Texas at Austin and Stanford University found in a joint report released in September fixed .
Frisco executives say they see no sign that the city’s popularity will wane with West Coast businesses as it offers amenities that others – even nearby towns like McKinney and Plano – cannot.
Current moves and expansions
One west coast transplant that recently opted for Frisco is military eyewear maker WileyX, which plans to move into its new facility in early 2022 after three decades in California’s Bay Area.
Quality Custom Distribution, a grocery supplier to restaurant chains like Starbucks, Chipotle, and Chick-fil-A, moved to Frisco from Irvine, California in 2020.
Additionally, Seattle-based real estate agent Redfin has expanded its existing Frisco offices by 38,000 square feet this year, increasing its total floor space to approximately 65,000 square feet. More than 150 Redfin employees work at the Frisco site.
Business friendly environment
Mayor Jeff Cheney and Frisco Economic Development Corporation President Jason Ford said the remaining undeveloped land and business-friendly climate of Frisco are attractive to businesses, including west coast companies.
With Frisco’s room for growth, companies looking to move or expand don’t have to squeeze their operations into available empty office space. Instead, they can be selective with the choices available or create a custom setup.
Both Cheney and Ford said the city’s economic development tools and innovative responses to growth, in addition to the city’s public-private partnerships, have added traction. These include the Ford Center at The Star – which the city, Frisco ISD, and the Dallas Cowboys helped develop – and the PGA headquarters.
“Not only did we win the move of headquarters to Frisco, but we see companies relocating all of their operations: warehouses, distribution centers, laboratories,” said Ford.
life quality
As more companies move to a family-oriented model, Cheney and Ford cited Frisco’s quality of life as a driver of the city’s business growth and selected high quality public schools as the foundation.
Frisco ISD has been recognized as one of the best counties in the state for several years in a row, receiving awards for academic performance, athletic success, and efforts to promote diversity and inclusion.
“This attracts residents and residents attract talent and talent attracts a lot of businesses,” said Ford.
The city’s connection to major sports was also cited as one of the most attractive features.
The city is home to the Frisco RoughRiders, a minor league baseball team, and FC Dallas, a major league football team. The Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Stars also chose Frisco as the location for their training facilities and headquarters.
Frisco will soon be welcoming PGA headquarters, which will include two championship golf courses, a conference center and a resort-style hotel.
“We have a very vibrant lifestyle in Frisco,” said Ford. “We have many amenities that cater to people of all races, ages and careers – things for students and retirees.
“I firmly believe that much of the growth we had in Texas from the west coast has improved all of that, and as a result we have added amenities that also fill part of the west coast lifestyle.”
traffic and travel
Urban engineers have worked for years preparing Frisco’s infrastructure for growth and development, and Chief Innovation Officer Jason Cooley said no other city in North Texas operates at the same level.
Cheney and Ford also touted the city’s infrastructure and low population density as attractive to West Coast residents, who benefit from improved traffic flow and ease of travel to other Texas cities.
Frisco is also desirable because of its proximity to two major airports and its central location between the coasts.
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