2026 DCMA Business Journal - FINAL - Journal - Page 28
“Economic development in Garland has always been
more than recruitment,” explains Garland Camber
CEO Paul Mayer. “It’s the sum of every city e昀昀ort,
from public safety and sanitation to planning, zoning
and code compliance, that impacts our business
community.”
Over the years, the partnership has grown stronger
through active collaboration between the chamber
and individual city departments. This day-today connection ensures that both organizations
understand and respond quickly to the needs
of Garland’s 350+ manufacturers, the largest
concentration in the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex.
“There’s a genuine, mutual commitment,” Mayer
emphasizes. “The city supports our businesses, and
in turn, we support the vital work that the city does.”
Tackling Real Challenges
The chamber and the city work hand-in-hand to
address the practical challenges manufacturers face.
Recent collaborations have focused on issues such
as industrial area street conditions, 昀氀ooding, illegal
truck parking, homeless encampments, utility rates
and environmental regulations.
One recent example highlights how this partnership
delivers results. When trucks and trailers began
parking in front of a local manufacturer, creating
safety concerns for employees, the chamber alerted
the city’s transportation department. The issue was
addressed the same day, hazards con昀椀rmed, signage
installed, and enforcement enabled.
Because of long-standing trust, manufacturers
know to call the chamber when problems arise.
“We’re proactive,” says Mayer. “We reach out to
manufacturers regularly to 昀椀nd ways to make their
operations easier.”
On the city’s side, the economic development team
tracks concerns across departments, while chamber
sta昀昀 follow up to ensure resolutions are achieved.
It’s an e昀케cient, business-friendly loop that many
communities strive for, but few have mastered.
Empowering Garland’s Manufacturing Community
Since the formation of the DCMA, the chamber
has worked tirelessly to serve the unique needs of
DCMA Business Journal Page 28
