The City of Richardson’s Economic Development Department has received a Bronze Award in the 2025 Excellence in Economic Development Awards for its work in creating the Richardson Innovation Quarter (The IQ®).
The development of the Richardson Innovation Quarter was the result of a collaborative effort between City officials, staff and business stakeholders which led to the rezoning of a 1,200-acre area as a Planned Development (PD) district and the formal branding of the district as the Richardson Innovation Quarter, or The IQ®. Since 2021, the City has invested more than $14 million in public infrastructure and placemaking initiatives within The IQ®, contributing to approximately $60 million in private capital investment and the creation or retention of more than 1,100 jobs.
The International Economic Development Council’s (IEDC) Excellence in Economic Development Awards are among the most respected honors in the profession, celebrating programs and projects that exemplify best practices in driving economic growth. Richardson earned recognition in the Innovative Economic Development category, with an independent panel of judges highlighting the City’s approach as a national model for advancing innovation, entrepreneurship and community development.
