H.R. No. 697

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, Residents from Collin County are gathering in Austin on April 1 and 2, 2025, to celebrate Collin County Days at the State Capitol; and

WHEREAS, Collin County is one of the largest and fastest-growing counties in the state; more than 90 percent of its workforce over the age of 25 hold a high school diploma and about half have earned at least a bachelor's degree; such highly skilled workers also make the county a leader in job growth; and

WHEREAS, With a population of over 292,000, Plano is the largest city in the county and home to more than 70 iconic global corporations, including Toyota Motor North America, Liberty Mutual Insurance, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Boeing Global Services, NTT DATA, JCPenney, FedEx Office, Frito-Lay, Samsung, and Capital One Finance; the city is consistently ranked as one of America's safest cities, and it has been named one of the best places to live in America and one of the best cities to buy a house in America by Niche; it has also been recognized as one of the best places to raise a family by WalletHub, one of the healthiest cities in America by SmartAsset, and one of the best cities in America for jobs by Forbes, while maintaining its status as one of the best-performing cities in America by the Milken Institute; this thriving municipality boasts nationally recognized schools, award-winning parks, a lively historic downtown district, and multicultural neighborhoods that appeal equally to families, young singles, and retirees; its excellent restaurants, vibrant shopping districts, exciting entertainment venues, and active local arts scene all contribute to the city's high quality of life; and

WHEREAS, The county seat and one of the fastest-growing cities in the country with a current population of over 224,000, the city of McKinney continues to thrive as a hub of innovation, opportunity, and exceptional quality of life; major employers such as Raytheon, Emerson, SRS Distribution, Globe Life, and Encore Wire anchor a diverse and expanding economy; upcoming projects include a 20,000-seat open-air amphitheater and a new terminal at the McKinney National Airport to accommodate commercial service by 2026; nearly 50 technology startups have received funding to grow their businesses in the community through the city's internationally recognized Innovation Fund; the city has also positioned itself on the global map for next-generation industries by bringing one of the world's leading innovation platforms, Plug and Play, to the local business community; more than 2,300 single-family permits and 76 non-residential permits were issued last year; furthermore, the city's award-winning historic downtown encompasses over 170 unique small businesses and restaurants; the community is recognized among the best places to live in the U.S., and residents enjoy more than 70 parks, over 100 miles of trails, and premier recreational facilities; and

WHEREAS, Allen is a dynamic and welcoming home to more than 113,000 residents and has been ranked among the safest, most affordable, and most family-friendly cities nationwide, and the city continues to enhance the Texas workforce through the addition and expansion of such international companies as NETSCOUT, Boss Fight Entertainment, and Amphenol Fiber Systems International; in 2017, the city was named the number two "Best Place to Live" and number one "Best Place to Live in the South" by Money magazine, and the city received the National Recreation and Park Association Gold Medal Award in 2016 for the coveted stewardship of its parkland, which today includes more than 1,864 acres, 67 parks and facilities, and 83 miles of hike-and-bike trails; moreover, its volunteer efforts were recognized with the 2012, 2016, and 2022 Keep Texas Beautiful Governor's Community Achievement Award for efforts in environmental education, community beautification, and litter prevention; the city is also part of the Six Cities trail plan, a blueprint for creating a regional trail system connecting Allen, Plano, McKinney, Richardson, Frisco, and Garland; and

WHEREAS, Defining "Progress in Motion," Frisco is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country and the fastest-growing community over the past decade, according to the United States Census Bureau; it has maintained its quality of life amid rapid development, and the Dallas Morning News named Frisco among its top 10 suburbs for schools, safety, families with children, young adults, empty nesters, and "Best Overall" neighborhoods; known for top-notch public safety services, the city received the highest rating for fire protection, and it enjoys one of the lowest crime rates, as well as low taxes; this once-small town is home to Collin College, Preston Ridge Campus, world-class venues, and a number of professional sports organizations, namely the Frisco RoughRiders, Dallas Stars, FC Dallas, Texas Legends, Dallas Cowboys, and the PGA of America; active residents have access to 49 parks, 86 miles of trails, and an athletic center featuring an outdoor water park; health care facilities include three hospitals, and the favorable business climate supports more than nine million square feet of retail and restaurants; among the cultural amenities are three museums and hundreds of public and private art installations displayed throughout Frisco's approximately 70-square-mile area; recently, the University of North Texas opened a campus in Frisco, becoming the first four-year college in Collin County; and

WHEREAS, The City of Wylie, Wylie Independent School District, Wylie Chamber of Commerce, and Wylie Economic Development Corporation work in concert to build a strong community that strives to honor the past, embrace the present, and plan for the future, while valuing unity, relationships, and trust; known as "Wide Awake Wylie," the town of more than 63,000 residents fosters a spirit of cooperation and features a thriving business environment as well as outstanding schools; it is a place people treasure and proudly call home, set apart by its strong sense of community and long history; and

WHEREAS, The city of Richardson, which is known globally for its high-tech business leadership, is home to the Telecom Corridor area and was named the International Business Capital of North Texas by the 82nd Texas Legislature; Richardson is a major employment center, with companies including Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, Fossil, RealPage, Fujitsu Network Communications, and Cisco Systems having headquarters in the city; other major employers include State Farm, Raytheon, UnitedHealthcare, Texas Instruments, and AT&T; Richardson offers a high quality of life, a diverse array of neighborhoods, and easy access to a multimodal transportation infrastructure; the city has repeatedly been recognized as one of the top places to live, work, and obtain an education by national and local media; in 2018, CBS News ranked Richardson the 16th-best city in the United States to live, and it finished ninth nationally among top cities for STEM workers by Livability; Richardson is home to The University of Texas at Dallas, one of the fastest-growing universities in the state, and the city remains dedicated to continued improvement as well as to the principles of open government and two-way communication with residents; and

WHEREAS, The city of Murphy, a diverse, historically significant residential community in southeastern Collin County, continues to create a distinctive ambience of homeowner pride and neighborhood vitality, and it has been designated multiple times as a Top 10 Best Suburb by D Magazine; Murphy's commitment to an enhanced quality of life is reflected in the number and level of excellence in its parks system, as well as its highly regarded year-round special events; the business community offers a wide range of desirable retail and culinary options, and residents enjoy the safety and security of professionally managed public safety functions; and

WHEREAS, With approximately 46,000 residents, Prosper is dedicated to high-quality development while promoting a strong sense of community; located where the rapidly expanding Dallas North Tollway meets the booming U.S. 380 Corridor, the town is poised for continued commercial, office, retail, and residential development that aligns with the Town Council's Strategic Vision; more than $500 million in pediatric medical care facilities have been built in Prosper, such as Cook Children's Medical Center and Children's Health Specialty Center; the establishment of major retailers, including the Gates of Prosper, Costco, and H-E-B, contribute to the city's economy, and the acceleration of infrastructure is at the forefront of its growth strategy, which is reflected in the town's multimillion dollar Capital Improvement Plan; the town has implemented several projects downtown to enhance existing businesses and attract new ones, and it recently adopted a Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan and a Library Master Plan to serve the growing community; Prosper is utilizing leading-edge technology to prevent crime through the deployment of the Flock program; the Prosper Independent School District serves over 29,000 students, and thanks to its excellent programs and highly qualified teachers, it is one of the top school districts in Texas and the nation; Prosper has a CAPRA-accredited Parks and Recreation Department with more than 727 acres of parks and open space and over 62 miles of hike-and-bike trails, and the town offers such community engagement programs as the Prosper Citizens Academy, the Citizens Police and Fire Academies, and special events for all ages and interests; Prosper continues to live up to its name and motto as "a place where everyone matters"; and

WHEREAS, Embracing its natural setting, the town of Fairview has distinguished itself as a platinum-level Scenic City in Texas since 2011; it has also been recognized as a Tree City USA community and earned a Growing Green Cities Award, and it is home to the first street in Texas to be illuminated by LED lighting; the town is a three-time recipient of the Texas Municipal League Municipal Excellence Award and continues to earn the annual Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association; the Fairview Economic Development Corporation was awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Economic Excellence by the Texas Economic Development Council in 2017, and for three consecutive years, the Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association honored Fairview with Certificates of Achievement for Planning Excellence; in addition, the town's Veterans Park has been recognized with a Patriotic Achievement Award from the Military Order of the World Wars; Fairview also features two high-ranking school districts and continues to be one of the safest and most desirable places to live in Texas; and

WHEREAS, With 78 square miles of land, Celina has the second-largest geographic footprint of any city in Collin County; strategic growth plans allow the city to manage new development along the Dallas North Tollway, Preston Road, and future Collin County Outer Loop corridors; with its population increasing from 17,000 in 2020 to 54,000 in 2025, Celina has been named the fastest-growing city in the nation by the United States Census Bureau, and its projected build-out population of 340,000 makes it one of the future population centers of Collin County; the city's robust "Texas historic" downtown is filled with a number of unique shops, offices, and award-winning restaurants, and its business community is growing rapidly; Celina recently celebrated the opening of its first hospital, Celina Methodist, which represents a $270 million investment into the city; its school district was recognized for its academic achievements with a prestigious "A" rating, and the city has received numerous accolades for its outstanding budgeting and financial reporting; residents and visitors come together to enjoy a number of special events throughout the year, including Movie Nights on the Square, Oktoberfest, Splash & Blast, and Cajun Fest; Celina is focused on being "The City of the Future, Connected to its Past," welcoming new members of the community while maintaining its small-town culture; and

WHEREAS, Lucas was founded in 1888 and became incorporated as a city government on February 19, 1959; the city is currently home to more than 9,000 residents, and in recent years, it has experienced significant growth spurred by its quality housing, large lot sizes, exceptional education systems, low crime rate, and animal-friendly neighborhoods; the community has maintained a peaceful, rural lifestyle, helping to sustain a high quality of life for its citizens; the city is pleased to offer 25 miles of trails along Lake Lavon for pedestrians and equestrian enthusiasts, and it continues to focus on wildlife habitat preservation, making it the perfect home for the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center; the city's many honors include the 2022 Governor's Community Achievement Award from Keep Texas Beautiful, the Community Partnership Award from the International City/County Management Association, and certification as a silver level Scenic City; each year, area residents enjoy taking part in a number of special events, such as Founders Day, Country Christmas, and an annual trail cleanup; and

WHEREAS, The citizens of Parker are proud to be living in one of D Magazine's top suburbs in the DFW Metroplex, and they also enjoy a low municipal tax rate; the residents number more than 6,000, and they cherish their uniquely "country" lifestyle; characterized by its large lots and comfortable atmosphere, Parker is known to millions of television viewers as the home of the legendary Southfork Ranch from Dallas; and

WHEREAS, Boasting an area of 64 square miles, Anna is one of the fastest-growing cities in North Texas, with a current population of more than 27,000, and it is projected to grow to over 100,000 by 2050; the city serves as the northern gateway of Collin County, with its strategic location along U.S. Highway 75, State Highway 5, and State Highway 121; Anna's residents enjoy a high quality of life, with expansive parks and trails, vibrant community events, and seamless access to both the DFW Metroplex and Red River corridor; the city has invested in key infrastructure to support its growth, including a new fire station, major roadway improvements, and the forthcoming Anna Community Library; strong partnerships between the City of Anna, the Anna Independent School District, the Anna Community Development Corporation, and the Greater Anna Chamber of Commerce help maintain a welcoming, hometown atmosphere amid rapid development; Anna also honors its historic roots, as it was once home to Collin McKinney, one of the 5 drafters and 59 signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence; and

WHEREAS, Farmersville, located 15 miles east of McKinney, took its name from the primary occupation of its original residents; established in 1849 as a settlement on the Jefferson-McKinney Road and near the Republic of Texas National Road, the town was incorporated in 1873; agriculture kept pace as it became a trade center, and in the 1930s, Farmersville shipped over 1,000 carloads of onions annually, earning the nickname "Onion Capital of North Texas"; today, Farmersville is a gigabit infrastructure city that is working to advance local industries and railroad projects, and it is home to a number of businesses; in addition, the Farmersville Independent School District and the Collin College Farmersville Campus help strengthen the city's workforce; Farmersville has a nationally recognized Main Street Program, with many historic downtown buildings, eateries, and shopping attractions; near the restored Onion Shed is the trailhead for the 130-mile Northeast Texas Trail, a beautiful site for walking, hiking, and bicycling; and

WHEREAS, Settled in the mid-1850s, the city of Lavon is nestled along the southeastern shore of Lake Lavon, and it is home to approximately 10,000 residents who enjoy the friendliness of the small-town atmosphere combined with the benefits of living near an exciting metro area; the city's growing parks and trail system, planned capital improvements, attraction of quality business development, growth opportunities, and commitment to service contribute to an outstanding quality of life; and

WHEREAS, The city of Melissa is one of the fastest-growing communities in Collin County, gaining roughly one new family per day; residents enjoy a friendly atmosphere and close access to a number of amenities, as well as more square feet per dollar for the price of homes; in 2024, SafeWise ranked Melissa as the safest city in Texas based on FBI data, demonstrating that safety is not lost in high growth; Melissa is home to such businesses as Buc-ee's, H-E-B, Green Acres Nursery, and Taco Casa, to name but a few, and it will continue to grow commercially to provide its citizens with even more amenities; and

WHEREAS, Other communities add much to Collin County's allure; the growing community of Blue Ridge is committed to revitalizing its downtown by providing a small-town rural feel; with its beautiful rolling hills, open skies with magnificent sunrises and sunsets, and friendly residents, Blue Ridge has a quaint charm all of its own; Cattlemans Cafe, established in 1953 and featured in D Magazine and on Texas Country Reporter, adds to the town's neighborly atmosphere with its outstanding chicken fried steak; known as the "Home of the Last Texas Prairie in Collin County," Blue Ridge is replete with scenic open spaces dotted with cattle and horses; and

WHEREAS, Located in the center of Collin County, the city of Princeton is a planned community that is currently working to become a Smart City; the community was named the number one place for first-time home buyers in the DFW area by NerdWallet in 2016, and it was recognized as a Prime Designated U.S. Site by Trade and Industry Development in 2022; the city has continued to lead Collin County as one of its fastest-growing cities with an average 20 percent growth rate since 2017, and it issued nearly 2,000 single-family permits in 2024; with its Certified Scenic City Designation and its new Municipal Center and 100-acre Municipal Park, Princeton has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to cultivating a small-town atmosphere by prioritizing the addition of new parks, trails, and open space, and it maintains a low crime rate by national standards; the city places emphasis on an open and transparent government, and it has been consistently recognized with the Government Finance Officers Association's Distinguished Budget Presentation Award and its Certificate for Excellence in Financial Reporting; the Princeton Independent School District earned an "A" rating from the state, and it is home to the CATE Center, which provides vocational training across numerous skill-based fields; moreover, the district participates in the Jump Start Program and offers students the opportunity to receive an associate's degree while attending high school; and

WHEREAS, Sachse is a vibrant, diverse, well-educated, and growing community that offers its residents a high quality of life while retaining its small-town charm; named as one of the safest cities in Texas, the community prides itself on providing its families with a safe place to live; strategically located along the President George Bush Turnpike, Sachse is home to an increasingly large retail trade area that includes a growing mixed-used development called The Station; and

WHEREAS, Also contributing to the development of Collin County are the residents of Copeville, Josephine, Lowry Crossing, Nevada, New Hope, Royse City, St. Paul, Westminster, and Weston, along with parts of Dallas and Garland, and these communities play an important part in the county's flourishing, diversified economy and its quality of life; and

WHEREAS, The citizens of this notable North Texas county are working to preserve the best of their past even as they look forward to a bright and promising future, and they are sure to figure prominently in the growth and prosperity of the Lone Star State in the years ahead; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas Legislature hereby recognize April 1 and 2, 2025, as Collin County Days at the State Capitol and extend to the visiting delegation sincere best wishes for a meaningful and memorable stay in Austin.

Leach

______________________________ Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 697 was adopted by the House on April 9, 2025, by a non-record vote.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House