The Dallas Regional Chamber recently unveiled its strategic plan for 2024-2026, known as “Building Tomorrow Together.”
Building Tomorrow Together contains four major focus areas for the North Texas region. These include public policy; education, talent, and workforce; prosperity and economic development; and diversity, inclusion, and community engagement.
“For the past several years, Texas, and particularly the Dallas Region, has enjoyed a level of growth and prosperity not seen in many other parts of the country,” said Matt Garcia, senior vice president of Public Policy for the Dallas Regional Chamber (DRC).
“Our state’s business-friendly climate and the region’s diverse industries can take much of the credit for this—but it takes work to make sure companies and people alike have what they need to thrive now and into the future. That’s what the DRC’s Public Policy team works toward each day,” he said.
In general, the DRC seeks to strengthen its commitment to public policy, infrastructure, and civic engagement in Texas and around the Dallas region.
With respect to public policy, Garcia said the DRC’s primary goal is to fortify its commitment to advocating for policies and outcomes that “preserve Texas’ economic advantage and support a prosperous life for Texans.”
Overall, 32 bills from the DRC were passed during Texas’ 88th Legislative session in 2023. The DRC’s Legislative Index provides a list of the approved bills that drive economic development and jobs to the region.
Other 2024 initiatives from the DRC include relaunching the Infrastructure Task Force to promote infrastructure investments around the region, releasing a new iteration of the Voter Engagement Toolkit to help people get informed and engaged, as well as developing a program that encourages locals to serve on boards and commissions throughout Texas.
To date, there has been no strategic effort to get North Texans involved in policy at the local or state level, according to Garcia. Therefore, a new initiative will help encourage locals to get more involved and strengthen the overall fundamentals that make both Texas and DFW exceptional places to live and work.
“Dallas is the fastest-growing region in Texas, and we are doing our part to make sure that the economic environment stays consistent and attractive to the business community,” said Garcia. “We are thinking strategically about our future and preparing for the continued growth of the region to support prosperity for all Texans.”
