McKinney Plans More Aggressive Approach to Corporate Recruiting

MCKINNEY, Texas, June 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- A groundbreaking ceremony today marks the beginning of construction on the McKinney Corporate Center Craig Ranch. The project is an aggressive attempt by the City of McKinney and Craig Ranch to capitalize on the city's reputation as one of Money Magazine's Best Places to Live and the exceptional access provided by the Sam Rayburn Tollway. The ceremony will take place at 11:00 a.m. at Henneman Way just east of Weiskopf Avenue in Craig Ranch.

"We want McKinney to be on the short list for corporate relocations from around the North Texas region and around the country," said McKinney Mayor Brian S. Loughmiller. "As the economy improves McKinney is actively recruiting new businesses in the U.S. and abroad with a competitive package of economic incentives, world class amenities and a family oriented life-style that has been consistently rated as one of the best in the nation."

The McKinney Corporate Center Craig Ranch was created through a public-private partnership between the City of McKinney and Craig Ranch. The project is expected to attract large and midsize build-to-suit projects with more than 2.5 million square feet available for development. It is part of the 2,200-acre award-winning Craig Ranch master-planned community and sits along a nearly two mile portion of the 12-lane Sam Rayburn Tollway.

The approximately 137-acre site is being developed with the help of $5 million in incentives from the city to fund additional infrastructure including Grand Ranch Parkway, a new entrance road from the Sam Rayburn Tollway, new corporate center monument signage and a lake park that will feature restaurant sites overlooking the water. Craig Ranch will also invest another $3 million in infrastructure improvements.   

"No community can offer the McKinney lifestyle in such close proximity to D/FW airport and Collin County Regional Airport," said McKinney City Manager Jason Gray. "D/FW is truly a gateway to the world and Collin County Regional Airport is an ideal location for corporate aircraft." 

"As Craig Ranch has developed and added amenities, it has become the ideal time to launch the corporate center," said David Craig, Master Developer of Craig Ranch. "The Corporate Center is part of the 270-acre Craig Ranch employment district that will feature additional housing opportunities and offer an environment where individuals and families can work, live and play.

"Our joint venture with the city provides an ideal partnership for marketing worldwide," said Craig. "Businesses are looking to expand in areas with low taxes, a highly skilled workforce, a reasonable cost of living and worldwide access for corporate and commercial aircraft.  All of that and more is here in an exceptional setting." 

"When corporations are considering their headquarters relocation, they are looking for a total package to meet employee and business demands," said Jones Lang LaSalle DFW President Paul Whitman.  "The completion of the Sam Rayburn Tollway and the amenity-rich area offers opportunity for any company anticipating a move to North Texas. Craig Ranch is second-to-none and McKinney offers a variety of residential options, exemplary schools and access to DFW International and Collin County Regional Airports."

"Despite being one of the country's fastest growing communities McKinney has room to grow   because it is only 35percent built out," said Jim Wehmeier, President and Chief Executive Officer, McKinney Economic Development Corporation. "McKinney is now aggressively seeking out and incentivizing new quality development."

About Craig Ranch

Craig Ranch is a 2,200-acre master-planned business, retail and residential community in McKinney, Texas - recently ranked by Money Magazine as one of the Top 5 Best Places to Live in America and Top 10 Best Places to Move by Forbes Magazine. As part of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex and just 30 minutes from DFW airport, Craig Ranch is a high profile, regional point of destination. The TPC Craig Ranch private golf course is the centerpiece of the community and a member of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary program. The open green spaces and small-town ambiance of Craig Ranch serves as a natural setting for outdoor concerts, water-inspired events, art fairs and exhibits. Soccer and baseball fields, hike and bike trails and unique amenities give residents a sense of place they are proud to call home. Craig Ranch is an AT&T Connected Community. Its marquee venues include: the TPC Craig Ranch, the Michael Johnson Performance Center, the Cooper Fitness Center & Spa at Craig Ranch, the Hospital at Craig Ranch, Dr Pepper StarCenter McKinney at Craig Ranch, The Ball Fields at Craig Ranch, The Premier Soccer Fields at Craig Ranch and The Beach at Craig Ranch, a youth to pro-level sand volleyball venue. Contact Demian Salmon, Commercial Developer Manager for Craig Ranch at [email protected] or call 214-644-1204.

About McKinney
McKinney, Texas, is unique by nature. As one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S., McKinney has a current population of more than 130,000. Incorporated in 1848, the city is located 30 miles north of Dallas and is the county seat of Collin County. McKinney offers rolling hills, lush trees, a historic downtown square and unique neighborhoods and developments, and it was recently ranked as the #2 Best Places to Live by Money Magazine. Visit the city's website at www.mckinneytexas.org.

SOURCE McKinney Corporate Center Craig Ranch; McKinney, Texas