Check On Your Neighbor
One of the ways TXU helped people during the hot summer months of 2004 was through a partnership with the Visiting Nurse Association of Texas and Meals on Wheels of Tarrant County. Together, the three groups partnered to create the sixth-annual Dallas-Fort Worth Check On Your Neighbor program. This community outreach event encourages people to check on their elderly and at-risk friends and neighbors who might suffer from heat-related illnesses. The event provides tips for staying cool in the summer and offers social service agency contact information for those who might need assistance. A toll-free TXU Cool Line is also publicized as a way to help refer people in need to social service agencies.

United Way
Support of the United Way is one of TXU’s major community programs. In 2004, TXU employees organized and ran an award-winning campaign that surpassed its goal by more than $220,000, for a total pledge of $1.2 million in the Dallas area, with additional support going to other chapters across Texas. TXU’s campaign was so innovative and effective that United Way chapters across the nation have adopted TXU strategies as best practices.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Few businesses in Texas have devoted more money, time and effort to the industrial, commercial and agricultural development of Texas than TXU. From the company’s earliest days, it has worked hand in hand with civic, business and industry leaders to build a vital, diverse economy. To that end, TXU’s economic development organization has implemented processes and strategies to best achieve its mission of being a catalyst for economic growth through business recruitment, retention and valued community services. The group develops and maintains partnerships with key national, state and regional economic development entities, as well as with local community leaders and businesses, to attract new development across diverse industries. TXU’s economic development activities also include marketing available sites and buildings, as well as serving as the lead facilitator for industrial site visits, through which the staff provides professional input critical to the site location decision. In addition to direct industry recruitment and expansion activities, the company also facilitates community development programs for cities needing assistance and guidance to better position them for business growth.

2004 was a banner year for industrial growth in Texas. Site Selection magazine recognized Texas as the national leader in new and expanding facilities, presenting the state with the Site Selection 2004 Governor’s Cup in March 2005. TXU’s economic development organization was integrally involved in many of the new, diverse industry locations that brought this recognition to Texas, including AutoZone, Koyo Power Steering Systems, Certainteed, Vought, Behr Paint, Vendo, Florestone and Kehe Foods. Overall, there were 77 significant new industry locations within the TXU historical service area during 2004, representing over 10 million square feet of industrial space in both existing and new facilities. At the same time, there were also 75 significant industry expansions, representing over 8 million square feet of industrial space. The TXU economic development organization continues to develop and maintain close relationships with key national site location consultants and brokers to identify future opportunities. The group also maintains an active presence in national and state economic development organizations.