[New] ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Grapevine Economic Development has undergone a strategic transition that expands reach and impact while reducing overhead costs. Revamped communications and business retention efforts have linked the department more closely with existing stakeholders and created a firm foundation for outreach and new developments. Ongoing support programs are in development and should launch in 2023. Here’s what launched in 2022:

‘GROWING GRAPEVINE’ NEWSLETTER AND PODCAST

In the inaugural season of the ‘Growing Grapevine’ podcast, host Steven Jones takes listeners on a journey through the last 50 years of development in Grapevine to paint a picture of the market as it stands today and the forces that shaped it. An accompanying newsletter is sent at the beginning of each month, linking subscribers to explainers on the City, lists of new businesses that opened in the previous month, and resources for local business owners. Follow “Grapevine Economic Development” on social media or visit the departmental website to sign up for notifications.

Local Business Support

Acting Director Garin Giacomarro oversees a robust set of tools for business owners in Grapevine. Economic Development continually meets with and hosts prospective companies and existing organizations to better understand the needs of the market, and hosts a variety of tools on the departmental website. Review available properties, pull demographic and economic data, compare your business to others in the area, or find links to grant support and other resources online at choosegrapevinetx.com.

New And Ongoing Development

Key projects delivered in 2022 include Meow Wolf, Chicken N Pickle, Solo Brands, and a wealth of publicly traded firms. The Brett Anz development will feature multiple restaurant concepts along 114, including Rock & Brews, Velvet Taco, and Son of a Butcher. This development is expected to open in the first half of 2023 and will feature even more restaurant options in Phase II. Paycom opened a brand-new regional operations center in the Spring of 2022, and will soon be home to between 1,000 and 2,000 employees. Economic Development played an active role in securing and finalizing each of those projects, and is now working to complete development of several dozen acres on Kubota Way in Northeast Grapevine as well as guiding new growth in the Transit District Overlay, a strategic corridor in central Grapevine centered on Dallas Road and Grapevine Main Street Station. At any given time, the department is handling 20-30 prospective projects; coordinating with developers and City leadership to secure the highest use for every available acre in Grapevine. The City averaged 13 new businesses per month in 2021 and 2022.

Strategic Targets

While almost any business can succeed here in Grapevine, certain sectors are primed for success in this market. Grapevine Economic Development has particular strategic interest in corporate headquarters, consumer brands, entertainment, information-technology, and related businesses who can leverage the region’s unique accessibility and business-friendly culture for maximum ROI.

Transportation

Grapevine has outstanding access within the region and state. A majority of Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (including every terminal) is located within the Grapevine city limits, providing global access to residents and visitors. Total passengers exceed 60 million per year and is expected to increase to 70 million through 2022. Seven major highways converge within Grapevine’s corporate limits, providing easy access to both state and national destinations. Trinity Metro’s commuter line TEX Rail, opened to passengers on January 5, 2019, provides an entirely new way to travel to and from the airport and Fort Worth. Grapevine invested over $125 M into a boutique hotel/train station at the intersection of Main St. and Dallas Rd. that will be a highlight of the city for decades to come. Harvest Hall opened in the fall of 2020 and has been a huge win for the city. It’s a food hall concept that provides several different local restaurant brands an opportunity to bring their delicious food to the wider public in a convenient sharing dining space. Particularly during festivals and events, you’ll find the place packed from wall to wall.

The Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) opened light rail from the DFW Airport eastward into the Dallas area, and this service connects with the commuter rail line in Grapevine. A study done by economists Dr. Bernard Weinstein and Dr. Terry Clower indicated that a commuter rail station in Grapevine would generate $50-$100 million in new or renovated development, as well as enhance Grapevine as a tourist and business destination. To improve intra-city mobility, Grapevine also offers a local shuttle system, consisting of a four bus fleet with routes between all major commercial and tourism entities within the community.