Irving is a city of New Beginnings. That was the theme of the evening at Tuesday’s State of the City Address featuring Irving Mayor Beth Van Duyne. The Mayor, in her fifth year, celebrated the City's accomplishments at the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas hosted by the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce. More than 500 people attended.
"A City of New Beginnings seemed to best capture the incredible progress we have made. There is no doubt we are in the middle of a positive evolution here in Irving," Mayor Van Duyne said.
New economic development activity
Through the City’s partnership with the Chamber, Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Las Colinas Association, economic development continues to flourish. The Irving Economic Development Partnership reported 20 economic development projects closed in 2015 accounting for more than $105 million in capital investments as well as 4,600 new jobs contributing to the lowest unemployment rate in Irving in 15 years, at 3.4 percent.
New infrastructure
Mayor Van Duyne said the city spent $36 million on major infrastructure projects last year including streets, parks and trails, wastewater facilities and the South Irving Library.
Additionally, she emphasized the great work our police, fire and EMT's continue to do day in and day out in the City. In fact, the Irving Police Department marked the lowest crime rate in its recorded history.
New opportunities
Mayor Van Duyne discussed a November meeting of 65 local non-profit organizations and religious institutions. The goal was to discuss the needs of the community and how these organizations can work together to improve Irving. The Mayor shared her goal to launch a shark-tank initiative connecting local businesses with local non-profits and allowing these businesses to invest in new programs to address the community’s needs.
On the education front, Mayor Van Duyne shared that Irving ISD was named the 2015 Advanced Placement District of the Year and Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD’s Dr. Bobby Burns was named Texas Superintendent of the Year.
Mayor's Award of Excellence
Mayor Van Duyne announced her Annual Award of Excellence at the event. The award recognizes an Irving company, organization or individual that has a long history in the community and has been a leader, dedicated to making the community and region stronger. This year’s award was given to Citi. Mayor Van Duyne shared that the company’s employees logged more than 50,000 volunteer hours last year, is active in Irving ISD, participated in Junior Achievement and donates to numerous Irving charities. Rodney Phelps, Site President for Citi accepted the award.
