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MEDC staff report: project pipeline tops $2 billion in capital; Visit McKinney reports $301 million in visitor spending
Summary
Staff updates to the McKinney EDC board on June 17 covered project pipeline and marketing: MEDC reported roughly 20 active projects representing about $2 billion in capital investment and nearly 5,000 jobs; Visit McKinney said visitors generated an estimated $301 million in annual visitor spending and $14.2 million in local sales tax in 2024.
The McKinney Economic Development Corporation board received several departmental updates June 17 covering the project pipeline, marketing efforts and tourism statistics.
Michael Talley, MEDC project manager, said the organization is tracking about 20 active projects representing roughly $2 billion in capital investment and nearly 5,000 jobs. Talley said staff continue to receive organic industrial and office leads, and that the MEDC tracks prospects sourced through the governor’s office and the Dallas Regional Chamber. “We’re at 20 active projects, about $2,000,000,000 in capital investment,” Talley said.
Luke Gajari, MEDC marketing and social media manager, reported a small dip in website visits related to retooling web-ad campaigns but said email engagement and other targets remain at or above goals. Gajari described a new regional marketing collaboration with the Allen EDC and a private marketing partner — the Point Group — to promote the 121 corridor; the campaign will interview MEDC board members and other stakeholders on branding for the corridor.
Visit McKinney’s presentation emphasized tourism’s economic contribution. Aaron Werner, executive director of Visit McKinney, told the board that state tourism figures for 2024 show about $301 million in visitor spending originating outside the community, approximately 2,200 tourism-related employees and roughly $14.2 million in local sales tax tied to visitors. Werner also reported 22 hotels (about 1,868 rooms), more than 300 short-term rentals, and two hotels under construction (an AC Marriott and an Avid property). He highlighted recent and recurring sporting events and tournaments that generate room nights and out-of-town spending.
Board members praised the marketing and tourism work, noting that events and a growing hospitality sector help raise McKinney’s profile and support downtown and other local businesses.
The updates were informational; no board actions or budget approvals were taken during these reports.
