McKinney Chamber transitions Business Retention and Expansion Program to the McKinney EDC

Created at 10:09 p.m. on April 23, 2009

The McKinney Chamber of Commerce has incubated another successful program, the Business Retention and Expansion Program, that will now be under the umbrella of the McKinney Economic Development Corporation where it will continue to thrive, said McKinney Chamber Chairman Keith Clifton.

The award-winning Business Retention and Expansion Program will now be housed at the MEDC where that program will take on new initiatives while maintaining the original core functions that has added value to the McKinney business community, Clifton said.

BREP, which is a six -year-old program, was a partnership between the MEDC and the McKinney Chamber that focused on supporting existing businesses in McKinney by building relationships and providing resources. The goal is to retain businesses and aid in their expansion which in turn creates jobs and a large commercial tax base for the city.

“The Chamber has a history of incubating valuable programs and then transitioning those successful programs to entities that can continue their legacy while expanding their scope of work and benefit to the community,” Clifton said. “Other Chamber-initiated programs include the McKinney Education Foundation and McKinney Youth Leadership.”

BREP has achieved state-wide recognition earning the "Best New Chamber Program" for Economic Development in both 2004 and 2008.  The award is given by the Texas Chambers of Commerce Executives at their annual leadership conference in Austin.

“This is a good time to transition BREP to McKinney EDC as they are looking to add other components to the BREP director position that will further enhance the benefit to the community,” said Clifton.

The BREP director position will also include a new focus on green or sustainable building practices as well, said David Pitstick, CEO and President of the MEDC.

One of the Chamber’s goals is to define, develop and implement a program for sustainability enabling McKinney to become the recognized leader and the magnet for people, businesses and emerging technologies in our region. The MEDC is moving forward with a committee to examine bringing intellectual capital with a focus on research and development to McKinney. BREP will now work in tandem with this committee and will help to move this goal forward.

“This transition exemplifies the strength of McKinney – partnerships among all entities. The Chamber maintains a strong relationship with city entities like McKinney EDC. Through that relationship we are able to work together to position McKinney as a leader not only in the region, state or nation, but in the world,” said Clifton.

The Chamber will continue to be a one-stop shop for business resource and looks forward to working with the newly expanded BREP program, Clifton said.

“A positive business environment is needed, especially in these economic times,” Clifton said. “Business means jobs for McKinney citizens and it means an expanded tax base that helps to fund essential services and amenities that make McKinney the great place it is to live, work, and raise a family.”

Back to Home Page