The Chamber directory is a remarkable resource

A remarkable resource for those looking for a comprehensive insight into the workings of our city and the region we call home is now available.

It’s the newly issued 2021 Greater Arlington Community Profile published by the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce. It’s a perfect companion to this month’s issue of our magazine focused on local business.

When Chamber officials talk about the organization’s support for businesses and the vital role they play in driving our economy and providing abundant jobs and creating careers, you will hear the refrain that what’s good for business is good for everyone.

The new directory provides abundant data that makes that claim a reality. Let’s take a look at some examples of its contents to illustrate how and why it works. Consider this a preview of what you will find inside the publication when you visit the website listed at the end of this column.

Among the country’s 50 largest cities and the third largest in North Texas, Arlington has been recognized for some significant achievements by national sources that you will find backing up these statistics:

The best run city in Texas, the No. 1 place to own investment property, the No. 3 city for first time homeowners, among the top 25 hardest-working cities, the 12th most diverse city, among the top 20 most-livable cities, and the fourth best in which to raise a family.

The list goes on: among the top 10 most fiscally sound cities, in the top 35 best places to live if you are under 35 years of age, and rounding out with three major sports teams, almost 15 million annual visitors, a AAA bond rating, home to the country’s largest esports venue, the largest covered venue in the United States, and home to the region’s largest university.

Looking for a job? Here are the city’s largest employers with the number of people that work there: the Arlington Independent School District – 8,200, the University of Texas at Arlington – 5,300, General Motors – 4,400, Texas Health Resources – 4,063, Six Flags Over Texas – 3,800, The Parks Mall – 3,500, GM Financial – 3,300, the City of Arlington – 2,509, J. P. Morgan Chase – 1,965, and, rounding out the top 10, the Texas Rangers – 1,881.

Wondering about how we stack up in the overall cost of living here? Some really good news with these statistics: It’s more than five percent lower to live here compared to other U.S. business centers. The leading measure is housing cost that comes in at 13 percent lower than the rest.

Our median age is 35, our average household size is 2.8 persons, the median household income exceeds $72,000 annually, more than 86 percent graduated from high school and 36 percent earned bachelor’s or higher degrees.

The directory highlights 10 reasons to do business in Arlington. First, as always, is our strategic location, then the region’s intermodal transportation network connected by the now citywide Via Rideshare system, the demonstrated money-saving cost of doing business, investment incentives for qualifying businesses, and home to the country’s largest master-planned industrial park.

It continues with a skilled workforce, strong community and government support for the development and redevelopment of the city, accessibility to markets around the world, a great quality of life, and on Forbes’ Best Places for Business and Careers List.

There are two pages telling of the top recent economic development wins, two more describing how investment by big business dramatically increases growth opportunities for all business large and small.

After more than six decades of planning, Downtown Arlington has emerged as a place to drive to instead of a place to drive through. The directory highlights the vibrant community our central business district has become through creative energy, and how it is growing.

Two more pages provide names and contact information for all our elected officials and emphasis on the collaboration among the educational institutions ranging from pre-kindergarten through Tarrant County College and the University of Texas at Arlington.

As promised, below is the link to the website where you can see it all. I have covered just enough to whet appetites. So, bookmark this link and enjoy all the content and discover why Arlington is the American Dream City!

issuu.com/arlingtontoday/docs/chamber_directory_2021