fitting, since the integrated circuit
computer, later to be called the
microchip, was invented in Dallas in
1958. Recent statistics show that more
than 228,000 workers – or nearly 8
percent of the DFW region’s total job
count – work in the technology sector,
with jobs that are mostly split between
high-tech manufacturing ( 44 percent)
and information/professional/technical
services ( 56 percent).
And tech jobs are still on the rise in North
Texas. An August 2014 report by Dice,
technology employment placement firm,
noted that Texas has created the most
technology jobs in 2014 and that in the
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro area,
computer and software programming
jobs more than doubled to an annual
average of 23, 193 last year, from
10,387 jobs in 2003.
A longtime leader in all manner of technology-focused businesses, including engineering,
telecommunications, information services,
and more, the DFW area is either a
headquarters or main hub for such
companies as Electronic Data Systems
(EDS), Perot Systems, Nortel, Raytheon,
Alcatel and Lockheed Martin. Medical, bio,
and life sciences are another growing
technology sector for the area, as are
emerging technologies such as nanotech,
wireless and broadband telecommunications.
Metroplex educational institutions have
also been strong supporters of the area’s
equally strong – and fast-growing –
technology base. For example, the
University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) is one
of many higher education resources that
is working with tech companies to
prepare students for the work force. UTD
is also fast becoming a major research
institution, specializing in fields such as
nanotechnology and interactive arts.
HEALTHCARE: TOP FACILITIES
MEAN BIG BUSINESS
Healthcare in the Dallas/Fort Worth
area has long been known for its stellar
patient care, specialty hospitals, and
medical schools, but the area’s
healthcare industry as an employment
sector has also become an increasingly
significant source of job growth and
opportunity. The industry directly
supports nearly 331,000 jobs, not to
mention other healthcare services and
practices (such as smaller hospitals, and
physicians/dental offices) that combine
to employ more than 281,00 residents.
The city is home to some of the highest-ranking hospitals in the nation, as well
as strong medical teaching schools
including the University of Texas
Southwestern Medical Center of Dallas
(ranked 21st among medical schools)
and The Baylor College of Medicine
(ranked 13th).
Major healthcare systems – and
consequently major employers in the
Dallas/Fort Worth area – include Baylor
Health System, Tenet Healthcare
Corporation, Texas Health Resources,
Methodist Health System, VA North Texas
Healthcare System, Parkland Health and
Hospital System, and Presbyterian
Healthcare System, as well as many
smaller clinic systems, emergency care
facilities, and physician groups.
According to the most recent Bureau of
Labor Statistics research, healthcare and
education is considered a “supersector” –
with gains of more than 10,500 from
April 2013 to April 2014.
SPORTS, TOURISM AND
CONVENTIONS
They say everything’s bigger in Texas,
and that definitely includes travel, sports
and business traffic. All three are big
industries here, with the economic impact
to match.
The Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex is the
home of five major league sports teams
including Dallas Cowboys football,
Dallas Stars hockey, Dallas Mavericks
basketball, FC Dallas MLS soccer, and
Texas Rangers baseball. Combine that
mix with NASCAR and Indy racing, and
it adds up to an economic impact of
millions. The Dallas Cowboys football
stadium – located just across the way
from the famed Texas Rangers’ Ballpark in
Arlington – opened in 2009 and was
booked almost immediately – including
for the 2011 Super Bowl. With 75,000
seats, a retractable roof, open end zones
linked to fan decks for increased
capacity, a Texas Sports Hall of Fame
exhibit, one of the largest flat-screen
televisions in the world, cutting edge
technology throughout, and a whopping
$1.2 billion price tag, the arena has
already garnered an economic impact of
hundreds of millions that has benefited the
entire metroplex with increased sales tax
numbers from all the tourist spending.
All that sports frenzy means plenty of
tourists – and plenty of money. In fact, it’s
no surprise that the Dallas/Fort Worth
metroplex is the top tourist destination in
Texas. The Dallas/Fort Worth Area
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
“The fourth busiest airport in the world,
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport served
more than 60 million passengers last year,
and was recently named “Best Airport in North
America” by Premier Traveler magazine.”
