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1/15/25

Join the MCBA Dallas City Council Engagement Initiative meeting Wednesdays at 8:00am, contact Andrew for details

MCBA Looks Forward to a New Year and a Better Metroplex
Delaying City Manager Hiring Key to Dallas’ Future
A Healthy Metroplex has Opportunity for All and Growth to Fuel It

Apply for a Business Grant

Our member companies are leaders in the DFW Metroplex because they've invested in the community. Now, that investment just became easier through Adopt-A-Block's new Cleanup Grant—funding that will offset the material costs of sponsorship and trash pickup.

Fill out a grant inquiry form to get started.

Delaying City Manager Hiring Key to Dallas’ Future

The City of Dallas is in the process of selecting a new city manager in the wake of the previous city manager’s departure to Austin in 2024. This is a critical decision for the ninth-largest city in the United States and yet, the process so far raises serious concern.

The Metroplex Civic & Business Association (MCBA) hereby calls upon the city to postpone the decision until after the May 2025 elections. With all fourteen council districts up for re-election and several council members choosing not to run for a new term, it makes little sense for lame duck council persons to choose a leader for the long term. The average tenure for a city manager in Dallas is 6-7 years.

The next city manager will oversee critical operations that impact residents and businesses alike. Rushing this process risks locking Dallas into the status quo at a time when bold, visionary leadership is needed. The citizens of Dallas will get their say on a new council in May, and that new council – empowered by the backing of the voters – should make this monumental decision.

None of the three current candidates have generated much public excitement, and communication throughout the process has been poor. Waiting for the new council will allow for a more thorough search and a stronger pool of candidates.

This decision will shape the city’s future for years to come. The council should prioritize getting it right over making a quick decision.

MCBA encourages business leaders to contact their council members and express their concerns. Let’s advocate for a process that puts Dallas on the path to success.

A Healthy Metroplex has Opportunity for All and Growth to Fuel It

DallasNews Corp. has found a buyer for its Plano printing plant.

The parent company of the Dallas Morning News said in a Dec. 18 securities filing that it will sell the 620,000-square-foot building at 3900 Plano Parkway to an entity called 2201 Luna Road LLC for $43.5 million.

The deal is expected to close on Feb. 1 following an inspection period slated to end Jan. 17.

It was not immediately clear who was behind 2201 Luna Road LLC. Contact information was redacted from the securities filing, although the document was signed by someone named Yaoyao Cao. Requests for more information about the buyer were not immediately answered.