News

Celebrating 80 Years

A Richardson Chamber Retrospective

In honor of our 80th Anniversary, we are taking a decade-by-decade journey through the Richardson Chamber of Commerce’s rich history.

The 1950s were a defining decade for Richardson with three major developments that shaped the city’s trajectory.

Cedar Rapids-based Collins Radio expanded to Richardson, building out a multi-structure campus (where the Richardson IQ® sits today), from which engineers produced communications systems used in all aspects of NASA's space missions.
The extension of Central Expressway to Campbell Road delivered Richardson's first major transportation milestone, providing a modern freeway connection to and from downtown Dallas.
Texas Instruments opened its corporate campus just south of the city. Shortly after, TI engineer Jack Kilby demonstrated the world’s first working integrated circuit — a Nobel Prize-winning breakthrough that effectively launched modern computing right in Richardson's backyard.

As land values, municipal tax revenues, and the population soared, Richardson rapidly shifted from a quiet agricultural outpost to an affluent, tech-forward suburb.

The Richardson Chamber of Commerce was quick to seize on this momentum. A report in the October 7, 1959, edition of The Richardson Echo highlighted their efforts:

"In other Chamber of Commerce activities, 350 brochures have been mailed out to selected industries and industrial plant location services in the last few days, according to Chamber Manager Paul Robertson.

The brochures tell of the fine homes, churches, schools, and recreational facilities of the Electronic City, point to Richardson’s three big shopping centers, its fine banking facilities, and its council-manager form of government, and stress its industrial opportunities and civic and cultural interests.”

By the close of the 1950s, through strategic planning, infrastructure improvements, and aggressive economic development, Richardson had successfully cemented its place as a premier destination for innovation and community life.

Stay tuned for next month’s newsletter, where we’ll dive into the growth and progress of the 1960s.

As the Chamber marks its 80th Anniversary, we’re honoring this incredible legacy with our $80 for 80 Years campaign. Help us ensure the next 80 years are even more transformative than the last by giving today.

Contributions are made through our Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, which may have tax advantages.

JOIN $80 FOR 80 YEARS

Events

Find Your Community With Richardson Emerging Professionals

Elevate your career, build your circle, and drive meaningful impact in our city with Richardson Emerging Professionals (REP) — a reboot of Richardson Young Professionals.

Be there for REP's launch party and get in on the ground floor as we build this next chapter together. Here's what’s on deck for the night:

Get a first look at our lineup of events, programs, and initiatives for 2027.
Network with peers across industries in a relaxed environment.
Test your knowledge and battle for prizes in a fast-paced game of trivia.

REP is your forum to connect with other early-to-mid career professionals. Join us for The Ultimate Fall Kickoff!

Thursday, October 8 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm

$10 per person (members and non-members)

Richardson Chamber of Commerce

411 Belle Grove Drive

Richardson, TX 75080

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, September 29: 39th Annual Golf Classic presented by Ryan (SOLD OUT)

Wednesday, September 30: Business Network

Wednesday, September 30: Ribbon Cutting at Bread Zeppelin

Tuesday, October 6: Monthly Luncheon - Post with Purpose

Tuesday, October 6: Ribbon Cutting at Original ChopShop

Wednesday, October 7: Business Network

Wednesday, October 14: Business Network

Wednesday, October 14: Candidate Forum For U.S. House District 32

Thursday, October 15: Monthly Social: Net Your Next Connection

Wednesday, October 21: Business Network

Wednesday, October 28: Business Network

Recent Events

The Richardson Chamber is proud to partner with Richardson ISD each year on the Principal for a Day program, which is designed to build relationships between schools and the community, giving participants firsthand insight into the successes and challenges of school leadership. We thank all of the business leaders who participated Tuesday! Chamber President & CEO Tony Moline shadowed at Jess Harben Elementary School. He is shown with RISD Superintendent Tabitha Branum and JHE Principal Dr. Sharon Newman.

We popped the champagne and toasted to the future at a Meet & Greet to welcome Tony Moline (center) to Richardson last week. Also pictured from left: Councilman Joe Corcoran, Councilman Curtis Dorian, Mayor Amir Omar, and Chamber Board Chair Dr. Raul Hinojosa, Jr.

September's Monthly Luncheon featuring Kayvan Moghaddassi with Kayvan Consulting was an interactive session on how to run more productive meetings. It was led by the Small Business Community Committee.

Richardson's newest hot spot, Truck Yard, brought the backyard vibes to our September social.

Leadership Richardson Class 42 beat the heat and the challenge course at their September retreat.

Membership

Ribbon Cuttings

Rembrandt Florist

13005 Greenville Ave.

Dallas, TX 75243

972-761-8989

Truck Yard

740 S. Central Expressway

Richardson TX 75080

469-271-8910

New Members

25N Coworking

Back Nine Golf

beem Light Sauna

Bread Zeppelin

Bubble Pawz Grooming

Flip the Switch Electric

Foundation For C.H.O.I.C.E.

Inspire Financial Group

Laura Caston

Melanin Minds in STEM

Original ChopShop

Painter1 of Dallas

Russo's Coal Fired Italian Kitchen

Renewing Members

50+ Years

City of Richardson*

30+ Years

Citadel Partners, LLC

DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit)

Super 8

The Warren Center

20+ Years

Mulvihill Asset Management LLC

Sonny Bryan’s Smokehouse

10+ Years

Advanced ObGyn Associates

Angela McCants-Dave Perry Miller Agent

Reliant, an NRG Company

Texas Bank and Trust

5+ Years

Community Impact Newspaper

Drury Plaza Hotel Dallas Richardson

Junction at Galatyn Park

Lockwood Distilling Company

McCarthy Building Companies

Pillar Commercial, LLC

Principal Financial Group

Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers

1+ Years

African Leadership and Reconciliation Ministries Inc

East Texas A&M University

Jade Falldine

Jerry Calumn

Lifetime Companies

Lisa A. Stengel - Mary Kay Sr Rep

Mees Sandhu CPAs PLLC

Melissa Flynn PR & Marketing

Pinstack

Rockie Marvel

Skiles Group

Sunny Day Financial

Texas Counter Fitters

The Samaritan Inn

To Be Like Me

Vibe Car Wash

Wildwood Grille

Yaphet Tadesse

110% Club

Advanced ObGyn Associates

African Leadership and Reconciliation Ministries Inc

Citadel Partners, LLC

Drury Plaza Hotel Dallas Richardson

Jade Falldine

Lifetime Companies

Lisa A. Stengel - Mary Kay Sr Rep

McCarthy Building Companies

Pillar Commercial, LLC

Rockie Marvel

Skiles Group

Sonny Bryan’s Smokehouse

Sunny Day Financial

Texas Counter Fitters

Wildwood Grille

* Indicates President's Club Member

Spotlight on KDC

For 37 years, KDC has developed some of the most impressive corporate headquarters and mixed-use projects in the country. And several of these projects are right here in Richardson. Along with the support of Richardson’s top officials, KDC has developed more than 5.3 million square feet of office space within the city limits for best-in-class companies including Nortel, Fossil, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, State Farm, and Raytheon. The portfolio also includes Richardson Data Center, State Farm Data Center and Digital Realty Data Centers. In total, the City of Richardson and KDC partnership has resulted in 25 buildings in the last 25 years.

One of the most notable projects is CityLine. The City of Richardson embraced KDC’s vision to turn 186 vacant acres near the intersection of President George Bush Turnpike and Central Expressway into a vibrant mixed-use development. Anchored by State Farm’s regional hub and Raytheon’s state-of-the-art office complex, this live-work-play hot spot is a true success story. CityLine features everything from urban residential, 50 dining and retail options, an Aloft Hotel, Whole Foods, green space, public art, and much more. Visit citylinedfw.com for more information.

Spotlight on West Coast University

West Coast University and American Career College are accredited institutions focused on educating future healthcare professionals and proudly serving the Dallas-Fort Worth community from one campus.

About West Coast University (WCU)

Founded in 1909, WCU offers hands-on education for careers in high-demand healthcare fields, at its campuses across California, Texas, and Florida, and through online programs. The WCU-Texas campus in Richardson has been recognized by Niche among the top nursing schools in Texas and ranks in the top 1% of colleges and universities for 40-year return on investment in a Georgetown University study.

WCU-Texas offers programs including Bachelor of Science in Nursing, LVN to BSN, and Master of Physician Assistant. Learn more at WestCoastUniversity.edu

About American Career College (ACC)

ACC brings 48 years of healthcare education experience, with established campuses in California and a new campus in Richardson, Texas. With more than 70,000 graduates, it has a long-standing history of educating healthcare professionals who make an impact in healthcare settings across the country.

The ACC-Texas campus offers programs including Associate Degrees in Nursing and Radiology, providing an education grounded in real-world skills and practical training. Learn more at AmericanCareerCollege.edu

Ambassador of the Month

Richardson Economic Development

Nominations For Annual Community Revitalization Awards Close October 4

Nominations are open for the City of Richardson’s 2026 Community Revitalization Awards. The program recognizes property owners who have enhanced the community by making significant improvements to their properties, including:

Retail and commercial buildings
Residences
Churches and schools

Revitalization projects eligible for nomination include:

Dramatic improvements to properties or structures that halt or reverse decline
An exemplary level of refurbishment that prevents decline before it begins
Total redevelopment of a property or structure—i.e. “tear-down/rebuild”
Infill development—exemplary new development on a vacant parcel in an older neighborhood or district

Nominations are due by 11:59 p.m. Sunday, October 4.

The Richardson City Council created the awards in 1994. Over 350 properties have been recognized since the program’s inception.

To nominate a property, visit www.cor.net/CRA. For more information, contact Keith Krum in the Development Services Department at keith.krum@cor.gov or 972-744-4240.

Welcome To Our City!