Richardson, Texas – The City of Richardson received a 2023 Excellence in Economic Development Bronze Award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). The award was bestowed specifically for the city’s work in the Partnerships with Educational Institutions category that impacted 25,000 – 200,000 residents, for the IQ® Headquarters (IQ®HQ), a collaboration between the City of Richardson and the University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas).
“Richardson has raised the bar for excellence in economic development with the IQ®HQ. This award is a testament to Richardson’s dedication to its residents and serves as a great example of how economic development can help transform a community for the better,” said Nathan Ohle, IEDC President and CEO. “It is IEDC’s honor and privilege to present Richardson with this award and recognize its leadership and innovation in the field of economic development!”
Every year IEDC looks specifically for economic development organizations, government entities, initiatives, and programs that have demonstrated consistent, exemplary performance in the economic development profession, leading the execution of projects that have a significant impact on revitalizing communities, and playing a major role in shaping and improving the practice of economic development.
“We are honored to be recognized by IEDC for our collaboration with UT Dallas at the IQ®HQ, which truly embodies the spirit of our city’s growth, entrepreneurship, and technological advancement,” said Richardson City Manager Don Magner. “We’re excited about the future and look forward to Richardson’s next generation of innovation.”
About the Richardson Innovation Quarter
The Richardson Innovation Quarter, also known simply as Richardson IQ® or The IQ®, is a 1,200-acre urban hub in Richardson, Texas, with a rich heritage of innovation and entrepreneurship. As Texas’ premier tech hub, The IQ® is the City of Richardson’s living laboratory for big ideas and groundbreaking technology. The IQ® has historical significance as a home to Richardson’s leading technology and telecommunications firms making up the heart of the larger Telecom Corridor® area. Today it is home to Argo Data, Digital Realty, Ericsson, Honeywell, id Software, Raytheon, Siemens, and a multitude of smaller nano and other technology operations.
In addition, corporate research and development, manufacturers, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, restaurants, entrepreneurs, designers, researchers, inventors, educators and students also represent a prominent presence within The IQ®. The Richardson IQ® comprises more than half of Richardson’s businesses and is home to 20 percent of the community’s employment base. For more information, visit richardsoniq.com.
About the International Economic Development Council
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 4,300 members, IEDC is the largest organization of its kind. Economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities by creating, retaining, and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth, and provide a stable tax base. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, IEDC’s members engage in the full range of economic development practices. Given the breadth of economic development work, our members are employed in various settings, including local, state, provincial, and federal governments, public-private partnerships, chambers of commerce, universities, and a variety of other institutions. When we succeed, our members create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities, and improve the quality of life in their regions. Learn more at iedconline.org.
