Business and community leaders interested in the future of the local economy will get a preview at the 2004 Collin County Economic Summit set for March 30.

The event will run from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with a luncheon keynote address by Dr. Steve H. Murdock followed by two rounds of breakouts and a wrap up session titled “The Future is Now.” The Economic Summit will take place at Collin County Community College District’s Spring Creek Campus, 2800 E. Spring Creek Parkway in Plano. Dr. Murdock is the state demographer and a professor for the Institute for Demographic and Socioeconomic Research at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

According to Collin County Judge Ron Harris, the summit is an excellent vehicle for networking between area businesses, elected officials from schools, community college, cities, county and state on issues of local cooperation and economic benefit. 

“The summit is traditionally held in an off-legislative year to update the business and local elected officials on subjects on the agenda for the next legislative session as well as topics impacting the continuing successes of our county.  We are able to learn and network with each other for the common good of partnerships between business and government to be better prepared to address the continued growth of the county,” said Judge Harris.

Dr. Murdock’s keynote address will focus on population change in Texas as it relates to Collin County and its implications for business activity for both the public and private sectors. He will focus on four dynamic areas: the rate of population growth, age structure, growth of the non-Anglo population and household composition.

Breakout sessions will cover the impact of the most recent Texas legislative session, accessing business resources, air quality for North Texas, healthcare, transportation for improved mobility, accessing business resources and where all the jobs are going. Breakouts will also include a panel of area mayors as well as an update on education finance reform.

The 2004 Collin County Economic Summit is hosted by Collin County, Collin County Community College District, Allen, Frisco, McKinney and Plano Chambers of Commerce and Economic Development Corporations. The media sponsor is Inside Collin County Business.

According to Dr. Toni Jenkins, executive vice president of Collin County Community College District, “The Economic Summit is a vital resource because it demonstrates how changing demographics in Texas can impact local economic trends. Business leaders and community members come to hear what economic experts are forecasting in areas critical to the growth and development in North Texas.”

Registration is $40, and seating is limited. For more information, contact Ann Reynolds at 972.758.3893 or areynolds@ccccd.edu.