In 2012, Chief Executive rated Texas as the No. 1 state for business, while California was the worst. Both states have held their titles for eight years in a row. In the survey, based on 650 CEO responses, Texas earned high marks in business-friendly tax, regulatory environment and work force quality.
Ryan K. Robinson, president and co-owner of Signal Metal Industries Inc., says he couldn’t imagine having his manufacturing business anywhere else. A second-generation company that has been in the area for 40 years, Signal specializes in building heavy equipment and machinery designed to specification.
“Texas is surely one of the most business-friendly states in the Union,” Robinson says. “I think within Texas, the city of Irving is somewhat unique in that 70 percent of Irving’s tax base comes from businesses. So the city of Irving and the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber understand that business is the driver of this community.”
Smart Business spoke with Robinson about why Irving is the best location for them, and how to create a good working relationship between your business and municipal organizations.
Why is Irving, Texas, a good location for your business and others?
First and foremost, Irving is centrally located within the country. My company builds large, heavy products that ship coast to coast and out of the deep water port of Houston Another factor is our great airport — our plant is located within 10 minutes of the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, one of the five busiest airports in the world.
Also, the work force in Irving is great. North Irving is a bit glitzier and is where Las Colinas is located. This, along with our new Orange Line light rail service, gives Irving the sophistication that it needs to be a power player with everyone around the country.
South Irving residents are the blue collar, hard-working folks. Therefore, we have a tremendous pool of qualified workers that we eagerly draw from. It’s a great place to have a manufacturing company, especially if you are located in the southern part of the city along with many other manufacturing companies.
Finally, the city and Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce have a lot to offer any business. In Irving, there are headquarters of Fortune 500 companies, medium-sized companies like Signal Metal and a whole host of the mom-and-pop types. The city and chamber realize the value in all of them and tailor programs for the big guys, the medium guys and the small guys.
In your experience, what makes a good relationship between a manufacturing company like yours and the city or chamber of commerce?
Becoming a member of the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber three years ago created the relationship, but my relationship is somewhat unique — as with all of us here in Irving — because the chamber is the economic development wing of the city of Irving.
Most cities have their own economic development department. The city of Irving does not; it is a partnership between the city and the chamber. That is one of the main reasons why Signal wanted to become a member of the chamber and why I wanted to serve on the board, because it gives me the ability to network with city managers and the mayor of Irving directly because they sit on the same board as I do.
Why is this relationship important?
Once you have a relationship with the city, you understand how the city works. A lot of members in the Irving Chamber are retail companies that sell to the public in Irving, but I don’t have a single customer in Irving. However, you always have to deal with the bureaucracy of the city when you grow — as Signal has in the past five years — and buy property, construct buildings or expand existing facilities.
Since I’ve been involved in the chamber, it’s made things much easier because I know who does what and I have a chance to visit with them. I think that gives me an advantage when it comes to getting through the red tape in a timely fashion.
Signal hasn’t grown because of its membership with the chamber, but the relationship with the chamber has facilitated that growth because the chamber has helped negotiate and make sure everything is in line, whether it be with the fire department, building permits or code enforcement.
Do you have any advice for other business owners about creating a smooth working relationship with city officials or the chamber of commerce?
My advice is to join and get involved. There’s plenty of opportunity to get involved at the Irving Chamber. Your local chamber will welcome you with open arms to serve on a committee or to just take advantage of all the mixers and networking opportunities you get as a member.
Once you get involved in the chamber, you learn more about how the city operates because city officials sit on the board. They talk about the opportunities and the successes of the city. You’re right there in the middle of it. Getting involved gets you plugged in, and then you can take it from there.
