Highlights
Loews Arlington was named a two-time bronze winner of the International Economic Development Council ( IEDC ) 2024 Excellence in Economic Development Award in the Real Estate Development & Re-use and Public-Private Partnership categories .
IKON Technologies Ribbon-Cutting
The 2024 MLB All-Star Game and its surrounding events had a significant economic impact on the City of Arlington . Approximately 35,000 out-of-state visitors attended the All-Star festivities , filling local hotels and boosting sales across Arlington ’ s hospitality and retail sectors . Local businesses experienced a marked increase in consumer activity , capitalizing on the city ’ s position as a premier sports and entertainment hub in Texas . The Arlington Convention and Visitors Bureau reported that this event contributed to one of the largest economic impacts seen in the city since before the pandemic .
Downtown Arlington ’ s Levitt Pavilion earned a spot on the 2024 Best of Big D list for Best Summer Music Series . This annual line-up highlights the best the metroplex has to offer in the categories of food & dining , drinks & nightlife , shopping & services and culture .
The City and the Arlington EDC are partnering with SCORE to provide 20 Arlington business owners the opportunity to participate in a series of tailored workshops to advance their company ’ s growth . Cohort members will also attend one-on-one mentoring sessions with a SCORE representative as part of the program .
Prologis , a global leader in logistics real estate , recently deployed a battery energy storage systems ( BESS ) project in Arlington . The project , Prologis ’ first in the state , is designed to capture and dispatch sufficient power to supply more than 1,700 households during ERCOT ’ s peak demand periods . It is the company ’ s most expansive , fully assembled energy storage installation worldwide .
The Drury Plaza Hotel – the third Drury hotel in the DFW Metroplex and 20th in Texas – opened on June 25 . The property features 268 guest rooms and suites and 7,000 square feet of meeting space .
In a recent list released by Livability , Arlington was named among the top 25 best places to live in the Southwest . Arlington ’ s convenient location within the DFW-Arlington metroplex , thriving economy , affordable housing and entertainment options are cited as highlights of living in the city .
A new study by MoneyGeek ranked the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro area as # 4 in the nation for entrepreneurial success . Key findings included that 32.8 % of operating businesses in the area are new ventures , ranking 6th among 168 U . S . metro areas .
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Ikon Technologies , owned by longtime local businessman and UTA alumnus Sam Mahrouq , recently celebrated their office expansion with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Aug . 16 . The innovative start-up software developer serving the auto dealership industry will remain in Arlington , with expanded capacity for high-wage job opportunities and major revenue growth over the next several years .
“ We are impressed with Ikon Technologies ’ software development team - and very pleased to see them stay in Arlington . It ’ s even better that they plan to make improvements to their headquarters , continue adding staff and to brand their unique product as ‘ Designed in Arlington , Texas ,’” said Marty Wieder , executive director of the Arlington Economic Development Corporation ( EDC ).
The Arlington EDC will provide a $ 7 million grant as part of a 15-year agreement with Ikon . In return , Ikon will maintain its headquarters in the city , grow the total number of employees from 116 to a minimum of 266 workers and participate in annual outreach to UTA students and graduates for employment opportunities , among other conditions of the agreement . Business retention and expansion is a key component of the City ’ s economic development strategic plan .
According to Ikon Technologies ’ CEO , Sam Mahrouq , the office remodel includes an open concept environment and workstations nurturing collaboration and fostering creativity , which embodies the company ’ s forward-thinking ethos .
“ Ikon Technologies has established itself as a leader in the tech industry , with our Arlington headquarters playing a pivotal role in our success . The strategic location in Arlington allows us to leverage the vibrant local community and its pool of talent , driving our innovative projects forward ,” said Mahrouq .
As Ikon Technologies continues to grow , our Arlington office stands as a testament to our achievements and presence within the industry . The ongoing contributions of our team are a clear indication of the bright future ahead .”