Jason Ford serves as President of the Frisco Economic Development Corporation. Jason joined FEDC in May 2019 as Vice President and was promoted to President in 2021. As President, he is responsible for the board governance, strategy, and day-to-day operations of the organization. He is also actively involved in high-level business development. In his previous role, he led the EDC’s business development program and staff focused on business recruitment, retention expansion, and technology innovation.
In his prior role, Jason was Vice President of Regional Economic Development at the Greater Houston Partnership for nearly five years. He led regional economic development efforts, assisting companies considering expanding, relocating, or investing in the 11-county greater Houston region. Under his leadership, GHP facilitated more than 85 site location projects accounting for more than 50,000 jobs, $8 billion investment, and 10 million SF. Before GHP, Jason held leadership positions with the Louisiana Economic Development (LED), the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce, and the Taylor, TX EDC.
Jason received his B.A. in Economics from Ole Miss and later completed advanced coursework in GIS and public affairs at The University of Texas at Dallas. He is a graduate of the Economic Development Institute at Indianapolis and received his CEcD designation from IEDC. Jason and his wife Michelle have two children.
Can you tell us a bit about the key goals and initiatives of FEDC?
At the Frisco Economic Development Corporation, our mission is to improve the economic opportunities and quality of life for all Frisco residents. Job #1 is creating new Frisco-based jobs. We do this by focusing on attracting companies that align and complement our vibrant executive and tech talent. Frisco is the #1 recession-proof city in the nation and is home to diverse industries, such as financial services, health and human performance, business of sports, technology and innovation, and media and gaming. By targeting investments and businesses that fit our strategic sectors and talent, we foster growth in areas where we have existing strengths and expertise, and companies benefit from our support for sustainable long-term growth. This approach helps create jobs that match the skills of our local talent and drives development in industries crucial to our economic future. Overall, the Frisco EDC is dedicated to building a robust and specialized economic landscape that benefits both businesses and the community.
What kinds of support or incentives does the Frisco Economic Development Corporation offer to businesses looking to relocate or expand in Frisco?
Frisco EDC provides a range of support and incentives for businesses looking to relocate or expand in Frisco. These include performance-based tax rebates and grants, which are tied to achieving specific business milestones like job creation, construction, and investment. These incentives are designed to deliver a significant return on investment for our residents by boosting local employment, increasing economic activity, and fostering overall community growth. By aligning incentives with tangible outcomes, we ensure that our investments contribute positively to the local economy while benefiting from a supportive and growth-oriented environment.
What are the biggest economic challenges currently facing Frisco, and how is your organization addressing these challenges?
Frisco’s economy is thriving, and we’re dedicated to keeping it that way. We have continued to be a model city and the “gold standard” for economic development and innovation for cities of our size. Frisco had a 100% economic rebound after the COVID-19 pandemic, which shows how resilient our community is. We attribute this to our diverse industry sectors and strategic plan for sustainable economic development. Frisco has been named fastest-growing city several times over the past decade, and while growth is a good thing, it is critical to manage it right. The city of Frisco has only about 16% of developable land remaining. While this is not necessarily a challenge, it does mean we are strategic about the projects we attract. We’re focused on bringing in companies and developments that align with our goals and offer the most benefit to our residents. By being thoughtful in our approach, we’ll ensure the best use of our available land and the best return on investment for our residents.
How does the work of the Frisco Economic Development Corporation impact the local community, particularly in terms of job creation and local economic growth?
Our work has made a significant impact on the local community by fostering job creation and stimulating economic growth. Since 2021, the Frisco EDC has successfully generated 54 new projects, including corporate relocations and expansions. These projects have created more than 7,900 new jobs and brought in nearly $1 billion in tax base improvements and capital investments. This growth not only boosts the local economy but also strengthens the job market, providing more opportunities for residents and supporting Frisco’s overall prosperity. In 2019, our labor shed—the percentage of workers commuting from outside the area—was 86%. As a result of attracting and retaining businesses, we’ve reduced that number to 63% in 2023, meaning more people are staying in Frisco to live, work and play. When people stay local, they spend locally, and this continues to benefit our local economy. In addition, Frisco was recently ranked #1 place in Texas for remote work and is ranked #1 in Texas on the Top 10 list of Best Job Markets in the U.S.
Can you talk about any key collaborations or partnerships with other organizations or government entities that are critical to your success?
Once a company decides to call Frisco home, they become an integral part of “Team Frisco” and this team is made up of several local organizations that are all-in in supporting Frisco businesses. This collaborative spirit ensures that we work together seamlessly to support business and foster a thriving community. The City of Frisco works closely with the Frisco Chamber of Commerce, Frisco Independent School District, local universities – University of North Texas at Frisco and Collin College – and workforce partners like Workforce Solutions of North Central Texas, by aligning efforts to support company needs to scale their talent. Frisco ISD, UNT and Collin College closely align their curriculum to meet the market demands, making sure our future talent is job-ready when they graduate. Specifically, UNT at Frisco, and Collin College developed market-driven degree programs to meet the needs of our corporate partners. The “Frisco Talent Task Force” is also available to Frisco’s major employers, which is a committee led by Frisco EDC and made up of the above partners who are dedicated to solving workforce needs and challenges with 1-on-1 assistance. Our partnerships enhance our ability to drive economic growth by creating a future-ready workforce and consistent talent pipeline that companies need to scale.
Are there any upcoming projects or initiatives that the Frisco Economic Development Corporation is particularly excited about?
We are on our way to becoming the Venture Capital Capitol of the Central U.S. by 2040 – a moonshot goal set by Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney in 2020. To support this vision, the Frisco EDC has developed a robust investment attraction strategy that includes initiatives such as our Venture Capitalist in Residence (VCIR) program we launched this summer (2024). The goal of this program is to have a leading Venture Capitalist provide us with deeper insights into how to attract more VC offices and investment to cultivate a thriving venture capital environment right here in Frisco. The VCIR request for proposals is now open to eligible Venture Capitalists through August 23.
How do you envision the economic landscape of Frisco evolving over the next 5 to 10 years, and what role will your organization play in shaping that future?
Frisco’s future is full of possibilites as we continue to lead growth for the Dallas-Forth Worth region. We are incredibly excited to see Frisco’s northern corridor build out as part of the “PGA Halo Effect.” When the PGA of America announced it was relocating its headquarters to Frisco in 2018, it brought significant attention to the opportunities available in Frisco. Shortly after the PGA opened, several new major luxury mixed-use projects surrounding the championship golf courses and resorts were announced such as Firefly Park, The Link and Fields, including Universal Kids Resort. These projects further the development of North Frisco, attracting new projects and enriching our community. We’re eager to see how these initiatives will continue to shape our city’s future and enhance its dynamic landscape.
