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Onward and upward
When it comes to measuring the effectiveness of Farmers Branch efforts in the area of Economic Development, there are plenty of numbers that tell the story. Not least of these is the number "5," as in Top Five Economic Development agencies in all of the DFW area in 2012, according to the Dallas Business Journal.  That's huge. This means that for total dollar value of economic development deals done in 2011, Farmers Branch Economic Development Director John Land and his team finished ahead of most every other city around and behind only the juggernauts of Dallas, Fort Worth and Arlington, along with the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce. John presented these facts and others to the City Council last night in his Year in Review report for 2012. I wanted to highlight that top five ranking because it is indicative of the nature of the Farmers Branch Economic Development Department. It takes people to make an operation work, but it takes a real team with a visionary leader to make it hum. So, remember these names, John Land, Allison Cook, Melissa Thomas, Anne Stokes and Madison Clark. These are the folks that are responsible for not only making the deals that bring world-class companies to Farmers Branch, but finding ways to keep businesses at home here, as well and for bringing visitors to our City and hotels. Our commercial tax base ranges from about 77 to 80 percent each year. Keeping the business community strong is what helps keep the cost of living in Farmers Branch so much lower than other communities. And on top of it all, our team is getting it done in a struggling economic climate. Can you imagine what they'll do when the economy is healthy?
  
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FeaturedSTORIES
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Auto auction giant, Copart, relocated their headquarters to Centura Tower in the Spring Valley / Dallas North Tollway corridor last year.
FARMERS BRANCH ~ In a challenged economy and amidst stout competition from surrounding cities, the Farmers Branch Economic Development Department still attracted 174 new companies last year, and was recognized as one of the top five agencies of its kind in the Metroplex.
Farmers Branch Director of Economic Development and Tourism, John Land, briefed the City Council on the numbers for the 2012 fiscal year in an Economic Development Year in Review presentation at Tuesday's Council meeting.
Mr. Land explained the 174 new businesses brought 1,894 new jobs to Farmers Branch
and accounted for nearly 2 million square feet of space. Additionally, another 24 businesses expanded during the fiscal year, adding 447 new jobs and more than 306,000 square feet of new space.
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John Land
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He added that net office occupancy in Farmers Branch stood at 74.8 percent at the end of the fiscal year while warehouse occupancy was 89 percent.
Totaling the dollar value of deals done in 2011 led the Dallas Business Journal to name the Farmers Branch Economic Development operation among the top five agencies in the region, behind only the cities of Arlington, Dallas, Fort Worth and the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce.
"The job John and his staff have accomplished is nothing short of spectacular," said Farmers Branch City Manager Gary D. Greer. "Between businesses moving in, others staying put, tourism, Mustang Station development and more, I challenge anyone to find a city our size with more economic development projects going on than Farmers Branch."
Among the major new business relocations in fiscal year 2012 was O-K Paper, moving from Dallas into the 192,000 square foot building at the corner of Luna and Valley View. Elliott Electric announced the move of their north Texas regional distribution facility from Grand Prairie. Online auto auction company, Copart, relocated their headquarters, and 279 employees to 58,000 square feet of space in Centura Tower.
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Members of the City Council and City staff dig dirt as part of the Mustang Station Groundbreaking Ceremonies last year.
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Capping decades of planning for transit-oriented development, Western a groundbreaking ceremony was held last year for Mustang Crossing , the mixed use development now under construction adjacent to the DART Green Line station that will bring 256 residential units, associated parking garage and 10,000 square feet of future ground floor retail space to the area.
Grand openings were also plentiful during the period with research and development centers opening at both the Maxim Integrated Products and Essilor of America campuses in Farmers Branch. Maxim is an economic development retention success story, deciding against moving out of town and, instead, investing $25 million in their new 150,000 square foot facility. Essilor's addition to their ever-expanding North American headquarters campus is a 257,000 square foot building, valued at $15 million.
On the retail front, one of the most anticipated projects came to fruition in 2012 with the grand opening of the Walmart Neighborhood Market grocery store on the southeast corner of the Shops at Branch Crossing. Others included Bent Tree Florist, Culinary Art Catering, Cassity Jones lumber retailer and Low Country Quisine.
Tourism and sports marketing continue to bring visitors to Farmers Branch with 31,713 hotel room nights generated during the period, bringing in hotel tax revenue of $248,228.
The entire report is available online at www.farmersbranch.info.
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Employee: Madison ClarkDepartment: Economic Development 
Position: Admin Assistant I
Background: Although my full time employment with the City is recent (3 weeks), I have been a long time Farmers Branch resident and have worked as a Youth Program Leader while still attending school. I have grown up in the recreation center programs, and have a deep and strong affection for this City! I am happily married to a wonderful guy and together we are youth pastors that enjoy working with young people on their spiritual journey. I received my education from Southwestern Assemblies of God University with a degree in Secondary English Education. I enjoy working out and running, spending time with friends and family and reading.
What I like best about working for the City: Vince Lombardi said "The achievements of an organization are the results of the combined effort of each individual." I enjoy working for an organization that embodies that thought. I am part of a group of people that together are striving to serve and build a better, stronger City. I am honored to be part of a team that consistently produces excellence and believe that each person has something unique to add to the overall mission and vision of the City!
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Egyptian artifacts on display at Library gallery through February 5
 | | Richard Posey |
MANSKE LIBRARY ~ Even though the formal presentations on ancient Egypt are over, the gallery exhibition, featuring 75 authentic artifacts or museum-quality replicas, remains on display at the Manske Library art gallery through February 5.
Rollin Phipps, former professor at the University of Texas at Arlington and expert on ancient Egypt, has provided an exhibition now on display at the Library Gallery that includes a variety of both authentic relics, up to 5,000 years old, and museum replicas that span the history of the region from the time of the pyramids to the Ptolemaic Period of the Greek rulers. The exhibit includes a eight-foot-tall obelisk and a reproduction of a mummy case along with a replica of the Sphinx and more.
For more information, call the Manske Library at 972.247.2511.
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Daddy Daughter Dance tickets on sale
COMMUNITY RECREATION CENTER ~ Renewing a Farmers Branch Valentine's tradition, the immensely popular "Daddy-Daughter Dance" is coming back to the Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center on Saturday, February 2 from 6 until 8 p.m. with a "Red Carpet" theme for this year's event, exclusively for daddies and their daughters.
Advance tickets are $5 per person for residents or $8 for non-residents or $10 at the door.
There will be a live DJ, dancing, face painting, keepsake photo and refreshments. For more information, visit the Rec Center on Facebook @ fbreccenter or call 972.247.4607.
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Volume 3.04 | Number 100 
is published weekly by the Communications Office of the City of Farmers Branch, TX.
Two-time TAMI Award Winner for Best eNewsletter in Texas
Given by the Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers
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LBJ Express unveils new video animation of completed project
DALLAS ~ Using traffic animation, mixed with live landmarks, LBJ Express has released a new video that details the length and expanse of the "new" LBJ freeway upon the project's completion, now within three years. "Through the video, viewers can truly see the size and scope of this massive $2.7 billion project," said Andy Rittler, LBJ Express project corporate affairs director. "We are pleased with the progress of the project so far and are happy to report we are on-time and on-budget to complete this project by December 2015." LBJ Express is the group responsible for the project to expand and improve Interstate 635 from Interstate 35-E, eastward to Central Expressway.
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Chinese New Year celebration set for Manske Library
MANSKE LIBRARY ~ Celebrate the Chinese New Year a few weeks early at Manske Library with special, themed events throughout the day on Wednesday, January 30. 
Preschool storytime at 10:15 a.m. will explore the holiday with a story and craft. For adults, there will be a Chinese tea tasting and game party from 1 to 3 p.m. where participants can enjoy a variety of authentic teas from China and play a round of Mahjong with fellow patrons in the Library's mezzanine. From 5 to 6 p.m., teens ages 13 to 17 years old are invited to create origami, play games and try Chinese food in the Library's meeting room. Each event is free and open to the public. Call the Library for more information at 972.247.2511.
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Few spots remain for Citizens Fire Academy
FARMERS BRANCH ~ For anyone that's ever wondered what it's like to be a Firefighter or just wanted to know more about the Fire Department and how it operates, a few spots remain for enrollment in the Farmers Branch Fire Department's 8th annual Citizens Fire Academy.  The class is open to Farmers Branch residents, 18 and older, who can commit to at least seven of the 10 classes. Some of the topics and activities included in the Academy are Fire Department history, rank and structure, CPR/AED training, fire extinguisher training, fire demonstrations, fire station tours, search and rescue, protective gear, Self Contained Breathing Apparatus, Emergency Medical Services, current projects, ride-along opportunities and much more. Anyone interested should contact the Farmers Branch Fire Department as soon as possible as the class is filling up. Phone number is 972.919.2640.
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Landscaping with Roses classes continue on Tuesdays REC CENTER ~ Those green-thumbed residents that can't wait for Spring can get a head start on the 2013 growing season by attending a free series of classes on "Landscaping with Roses," through February 16.  Farmers Branch Landscape Manager Pam Smith has assembled a slate of world-class gardeners and rosarians for the annual mid-winter series that will be featured on Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m. at the Community Recreation Center January 15 through February 12. The Saturday, February 16 finale will be a 10 a.m. "hands on" Rose Pruning clinic at the rose gardens in Gussie Field Watterworth Park. > MORE <
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 The calendar may say January but the weather at mid-week, in Farmers Branch, felt much more like April. However, never fear, it's winter in Texas. Cooler temps will return by the weekend.
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LB JUpdate
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 FARMERS BRANCH ~ Weekly updates are provided by LBJ Express Project, the construction company responsible for the 5-year project that will completely renovate the freeway from the Dallas North Tollway to Interstate 35E. The following update is for the week of January 23, 2013. Denton Drive: Beginning January 28, the westbound LBJ frontage road between Ford and Denton is planned to be closed for up to ten weeks. Denton will be closed at LBJ on the night of January 25 for bridge work. Josey Lane: Construction of the permanent paving and drainage on Josey will require various lanes to be closed until late February. All lanes of Villa Creek at Josey are reopened however Villa Creek will be closed at Josey overnight Thursday January 24 for Oncor utility work. Marsh Lane: The southbound right turn lane at LBJ has been reopened. The pavement and bridge work on the west side of Marsh south of Ridgeoak will continue until April. Marsh Lane is expected to be closed at LBJ for one night on January 26 for construction of the bridge deck on the west side of the new bridge. Midway Road: The left turn lanes on Midway Road between the LBJ frontage roads have been closed for bridge pier work but should be reopened by the end of this week. Expect additional lanes to be closed on Midway at LBJ during night- time hours. Various lanes on Midway south of LBJ are expected to be closed during the weekend of January 25 for drainage work. Dallas North Tollway: LBJ is narrowed to 3 main lanes in each direction at the DNT. Other Locations: The new westbound frontage road from Valley View to Marsh and the new section of eastbound frontage road from Marsh to Midway have experienced delays and are now expected to be opened in March. Various main lanes of LBJ will be closed frequently during night-time hours. There will also be intermittent night-time closures of various LBJ entrance and exit ramps. All scheduled work is tentative as permitted by weather conditions and other factors.
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About the City of Farmers Branch
 An historic community in the geographic center of the DFW Metroplex, Farmers Branch boasts a residential population of 28,800 and a daytime employment population of 66,000. Located on the northwest border of the City of Dallas, the City's 27 parks and lush greenbelts feature nationally-acclaimed, award-winning soccer fields, football facilities as well as baseball and softball complexes. The city's location in the center of the Metroplex and only 15 minutes away from both DFW Airport and Love Field, along with the 2,200 hotel rooms within the city, make Farmers Branch an ideal location for residents and for business. For more information on the City of Farmers Branch, visit farmersbranch.info, visitfarmersbranch.com, lovethebranch.com
or call 972.247.3131. |
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